LGU-Baliwag holds a Seminar-Workshop on Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) Formulation

CLARK, PAMPANGA. The Local Government Unit of Baliwag, Bulacan (LGU-Baliwag) held a seminar-workshop on Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) formulation on August 8-9, 2019 at the Widus Hotel, Clark, Pampanga. ELA is a term-based plan representing converging priorities which the executive and legislative departments agreed to carry out within their terms of office. It is anchored on LGU-Baliwag’s vision, mission, goals and objectives.

The seminar-workshop was primarily an LGU-Baliwag activity facilitated with the assistance of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Present were MLGOO Myrna P. Reyes (Baliwag, Bulacan); LGOO Lydia M. Baltazar and MLGOO Elaine Pagdanganan (Santa Maria, Bulacan). DILG Bulacan Provincial Director Darwin D. David graced the seminar-workshop. In his message, PD Darwin emphasized the importance of planning in the efficient governance of LGU-Baliwag. He also expressed his admiration to LGU-Baliwag’s recent achievements especially the 2016 and 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance Awards. 

The seminar-workshop was well-participated. Present for the part of the executive department were: Mayor Ferdinand V. Estrella (MFVE), Municipal Administrator Enrique V. Tagle and all the Department Heads and Heads of Offices. The departments were clustered into Economic, Social, Institutional, Finance, Peace and Order, among others. Each cluster presented their priority thrusts and programs and its projected budgets based on the platform of governance of MFVE. 

On the part of the legislative department, present were: Vice Mayor Christopher F. Clemente, Councilors Marie Claudette Q. Serrano, Enrique V. Dela Cruz, Lee Edward V. Nicolas, Maria Isabel P. Librero, Lowell C. Tagle, Antonio S. Patawaran and Rodrigo E. Baltazar. Some councilors shared their priority legislative agenda. Councilor Enrique V. Dela Cruz expressed support to the plans and programs presented.

The Executive and Legislative departments, as represented by the Department Heads and Heads of Offices, made commitments to put flesh on the agreed ELA. The finalized ELA document will be submitted to the Sangguniang Bayan for adaption. MFVE challenged everyone to cooperate and work harder for LGU-Baliwag to achieve greater heights. With the exhibited unity and cooperation between the Executive and Legislative departments, the citizenry of Baliwag, Bulacan is assured of a better and brighter three years ahead.

Baliwag, Bulacan Joins Province-wide Peace & Order and Public Safety Planning

The Department of the Interior and Local Government, Bulacan (DILG-Bulacan) and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines - Bulacan Chapter (LMP-Bulacan) organized a Seminar-Workshop on the Formulation of Peace and Order of Public Safety (POPS) Plan on December 8-9, 2016 at St. Agatha Resort and Country Club, Tikay, Malolos City.

The seminar-workshop is aimed at assisting the Cities and Municipalities of Bulacan formulate a meaningful and feasible POPS. DILG-Bulacan bared that the POPS is now a core criteria for the Seal of Good Governance Award. The POPS, according to LMP-Bulacan President and Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio C. Cruz, Jr., is a sine qua non to the appropriation of the municipal confidential fund.  

Representing the Municipality are PSI Gregorio T. Santos, Deputy for Operation, Baliwag Police Station, Atty. Robert John I. Donesa, Municipal Department Head, Atty. Ireneo Romano, BTECH Vice President for Administration and Planning.

Baliwag, Bulacan kicks-off Christmas Season with Paskong Pasko sa Baliwag

The Municipality of Baliwag, Bulacan opens the Christmas Season with a festive celebration dubbed as Paskong Pasko sa Baliwag on Monday, December 5, 2016, 6:00-7:30 P.M., at the Glorietta, Baliwag, Bulacan. The event was made more lively with performances from the Municipal Singers and other local artists. Hundreds crowded the park and sidewalks to witness event.

The celebration was highlighted with the lighting of a Christmas Tree at the Heroes' Park. The tree is propped up a la white Christmas. It is made up of recycled materials especially plastic spoons and forks from local fast foods courtesy of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO). It aims to promote recycling as a way of life for Baliwagenyos. The tree remains lit and may be viewed until January 2017.

The lighting ceremonies were spearheaded by Baliwag Municipal Mayor, Honorable Ferdinand V. Estrella and witnessed by Vice Mayor Christopher Clemente and the members of Sangguniang Bayan. Representative Gavini Apol C. Pancho of the 2nd District of Bulacan also graced the event with his presence.

The lighting of Baliwag Christmas Tree signals the start of the holiday season in Baliwag, Bulacan. The Baliwag Tourism Council is gearing up for a repertoire of holiday activities 'to make the season bright.' The repertoire includes, among others, the Pasakalye, a street dancing competition among educational institutions. A Christmas bazaar is also currently operating at the local market to support the quaint gift-giving tradition of the Filipinos.

The Church of St. Agustine, Baliwag, Bulacan

One of the important landmarks of the Municipality of Baliwag, Bulacan is the old Church of San Agustin at the Barangay Poblacion. The Church is dedicated to San Agustin, the patron saint of the town, and was founded in 1733.

The church architecture is predominantly Baroque with Doric and Corinthian columns at the facade. Baroque features still dominate the church's interior. The outlandish Ionic columns were later added to support the roofs. The church has had been renovated, repaired and repainted several times since its founding.

On its high altars are the images of San Agustin de Baliuag and Santa Monica de Baliuag, the main patrons of the town.

Some Historical Notes

Despite the oldness of the present church, the edifice was not original. The original church and convent were destroyed during a powerful earthquake on June 3, 1863.

How did the original stone church look?

Augustinian Missionary priest and traveler, Joaquin Martinez de Zuniga, who visited Baliuag, Bulacan on February 12, 1802, wrote:

The convent or parochial house, is without doubt, the best in all the Islands. It is newly-constructed, made not in the fashion of convents in the Philippines, but that of the Spanish houses in Manila. If the solid walls, the neatness of all its parts, and the dimension and symmetrical arrangement are considered, I believe no edifice in all of Manila can compare to it. The church is also built of mortar and stone but somewhat low, and the tower, besides being poorly done, was deteriorating...

The Renovations and Restorations

Since 1870, renovations had been made from generation to generation sponsored by affluent families and active citizens of Baliwag, Bulacan. This made the church construction continuous rather than made in one discharge. This accumulation of changes across the centuries made the church complex architecturally vibrant. The portico leading to the main door of the church was added in 1972 courtesy of Lupong Pamunuan ng Pista ng Baliwag 1972 headed by IGG. Danilo D. Gonzales. The outlandish cubist image of Moses holding the tablets containing the biblical Ten Commandments was embossed on the front walls of the belfry in 1982 courtesy of Lupong Pamunuan ng Pista ng Baliwag 1979 headed by IGG. Anghel Galang.

Renovations done in the 1980's made the church looked very modern. This drew bittersweet longing among Baliwageños for the church's old look. Thus, in 1993, the church was literally peeled off its added layers and restored back to its old Spanish look. The restoration was done through the efforts of Ms. Teresa S. Rodriguez, President, Lupong Pamunuan ng Pista ng Baliwag 1993.

In late 2000, the church convent was also renovated to complement the appearance of the restored church. The renovation was designed by Randi Reyes. The convent was inaugurated and blessed on January 12, 2001. Msgr. Feliciano M. Palma, Jr., was the parish priest from 1988-2000.

"Some twenty years (20) years ago," explained Dr. Emiterio L. Tiburcio, a senior Baliwag resident, "when the roofs were renovated, the Ionic columns of the were added to support the rafters." As observed, the Greek columns seemed to be out of place but are absolutely necessary.

San Jose is one of the important saints in Baliwag, Bulacan. A barangay was named after him. 

A view of the church's interior. 

Workers repainted the Ionic columns of the church's interior.

New additions include stained glass decorations.

An image of the crucified Christ.

San Miguel is one of the most important saint in Bulacan. His name is everywhere. A town, barangay and even bridges were named after him. 

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” (John 11:1-3).

The side doors show strong Romanesque elements.