Lobo is Now the Atis Capital of the Philippines!

September 27. This date marks three important events in the history of Lobo, Batangas. Lobo officially became a municipality in September 27, 1871.

140 years after, two more significant events occurred on the 27th day of September — the launching of the Agro-Ecotourism Industry of Lobo and the declaration of this town being the Atis Capital of the Philippines.

THE LAUNCHING OF THE AGRO-ECOTOURISM INDUSTRY


The Agro-Ecotourism Industry of Lobo uplifts four components: biodiversity, history and cultural heritage, agricultural products, and beach and resorts.

The event was practically characterized by speeches and stories. But the crowd seemed to be attentive albeit the heavy downpour and strong wind caused by Typhoon Pedring. Department of Agriculture Regional Director (Region IV-A) Abelardo R. Bragas shared that Lobo earns an average of 2.5M per year from the town’s harvest of the main produce – atis (sugar apple). Being declared as the country’s atis capital will be part of the legacy and history of Lobo.

Through Dir. Bragas, the Office of the President and the Department of Agriculture awarded one unit of shallow tube well (a tube or pipe vertically set into the ground at depth of 20 to 60 feet for the purpose of suction lifting of water from shallow aquifer – bicol.da.gov.ph) to the LGU.

Furthermore, points on Lobo’s Agro-Ecotourism Industry were dissected by DOST Regional Director, Alexander R. Madrigal. One of the good things he pointed out about Lobo is that the resources here are not too commercialized. Lobo beach can keep up with other famous beaches for its natural beauty and the rich marine life underneath. It was on November 9, 2009 that the proposal for the Agro-Ecotourism Industry of Lobo was presented to the Regional Development Council in Batangas Capitol and was then approved.

“Working together is a success”, according to Dir. Madrigal. This was proven by the public-private partnership established to push for the success of the proposed industry of Lobo. Afterwards, the heads of the sectors involved in the said public-private partnership signed the Memorandum of Understanding then the Memorandum of Agreement.

Present to ink both agreements were Hon. Efren B. Diona (Mayor, Municipality of Lobo), Hon. Renato M. Perez, DMD (Vice Mayor, Municipality of Lobo), Dr. Alexander R. Madrigal (Regional Director, DOST IV-A), Dr. Nora L. Magnaye (President, Batangas State University), Mary Ann R. Luz (President and Chairman, RBL/Lobo Foundation, Inc.), Erlinda A. Macalintal (Lobo Resorts Owners Association), Ruel R. Gonzales (Provincial Director, DTI-Batangas), Dir. Louella C. Jurilla (Regional Director, DOT IV-A), Dr. Marcial C.

Amaro, Jr. (Director, ERDB), Oliver B. Viado (Officer-in-Charge – PENRO Batangas), Laudemir S. Salac (officer-in-Charge – CENRO Batangas City), Victor M. Reyes (Head, Batangas Tourism and Cultural Office), Luis A. Awitan (Head, Batangas Environment and Natural Resources Office), Pedrito Martin M. Dijan, Jr. (Head, Batangas Agriculture’s Office

THE ATIS CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES

Resolution No. 2011-61, this strengthened the move for Lobo to officially become the Atis Capital of the Philippines. SB member, Hon. Mikael II C. Andaya authored the said resolution

It must have been a sweet journey (as sweet as their sugar apple) for the local government of Lobo to achieve such recognition as this, like what Dir. Bragas uttered, will be a legacy from the present local administration and will be part of the history of Lobo. Mayor Efren Diona shared the early years of Lobo. He also appealed to the Loboans to become effective part of the achieving more for their town. And with that, he exclaimed a proper statement with confidence and strong will: “Kailanman ay walang inatrasang hamon ang mga anak ng Batangas!”.

And the much awaited person in this event took the stage. Hon. Jejomar Binay, Vice President of the Philippines, seemed to calm the storm. Well, figuratively. The rest of the crowd were all ears to what VP Binay was sharing at that moment (see our video of the Declaration of the Atis Capital for VP’s speech).

Apart from gracing the event, VP Binay gave away P500,000 and a multicab for the senior citizens. He also donated a brand new wheelchair for a PWD. Then Hon. Mikael II C. Andaya went on stage for the reading of Resolution No. 2011-61 declaring Lobo as the Atis Capital of the Philippines.
Mayor Diona held the mic again, a few minutes before the declaration and said, “Wala nang pwedeng mag-contest, Lobo na ang may hawak ng Atis Capital of the Philippines!”.
At exactly 12 noon, the declaration took place. The back-to-back event ended with the unlimited atis-eating.
From us here in WOWBatangas.com, congratulations to the local government of Lobo and to the rest of the Loboans for a very successful celebration of the 140th Foundation

Anniversary. Congratulations, Atis Capital of the Philippines, Lobo!