BALER, Aurora – President Arroyo lauded the provincial government of Aurora led by Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo for achieving the goal of making the area as an insurgency-free province.

Mrs. Arroyo, who was the guest speaker during the 31st founding celebration of the province the other day which also coincides with the 122th birth anniversary of Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon, said she was very grateful with the “gift” given to her by the Aurorans by making it free from insurgency in return for various development projects to pave the way for the economic development and progress of Aurora.

A certificate of joint declaration which was signed by the governor, Army’s 702nd Brigade chief Col. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, and Aurora police chief Sr. Supt. Romulo Esteban, was presented to Mrs. Arroyo.

President Arroyo, who is lagging in popularity surveys, also said she would endure adversarial criticisms until the remaining months of her term for as long as what she was doing will uplift the economic development of the country adding that she would roll with the punches and continue to make “hard and unpopular decisions” for as long as these will bring progress to the country.

“I have made hard and unpopular decisions but it’s okay as long as it would bear fruit in terms of development,” she said, fending off criticisms she was insensitive to public opinion.

The Chief Executive who arrived here at around 9:30 a.m. on board the Presidential chopper led the wreath-laying ceremonies at the bronze monument of Doña Aurora at the Provincial Capitol complex in this town.

In her 30-minute speech, the President cited her administration’s thrusts to develop the province, including the establishment of the Aurora Special Economic Zone Authority, and construction of a tri-modal transport system such as an airport and seaport in Casiguran town, and a Roll-on, Roll-off port in Dingalan.

Mrs. Arroyo, assisted by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Bless Lantayona, later turned over 25 bamboo desks to the Diego Ortiz Elementary School under the engineered bamboo project.

The DTI implemented the project which was initiated by the President to help cultivate and produce bamboo, enough to supply 25 percent of the R10-billion desk requirements of the Department of Education.