Marinduque Cong. Lord Allan Velasco: 'Breathing new life and hope'

Congressman Lord Allan Velasco

Cong. Velasco spoke during the 112th anniversary of the Battle of Paye in Boac, celebrated as a special non-working holiday in Marinduque, an episode during the Filipino-American War marked as historically significant.

"It's true what they had been saying about the youthful Congressman Lord Allan Velasco of Marinduque whom I had never met. He had certainly done a lot for the province that he represents. He had discovered new places of interest and is now in the process of developing them, including underground rivers, the island of Maniwaya and enchanted caves. Most of all, he inspires the people of Marinduque, breathing new life and hope into them, most of whom are now dreaming their own big dreams for their hometown. Truly, Marinduque, the heart of the Philippines is breathing, pulsating with life!" - Dolly Dy Zulueta, The Marinduque Diaries, flavorsoflife.com

Velasco's message at the 112th anniversary of the Battle of Paye three days ago: As your representative who continues to dialogue with you, I am of the firm belief that the doors of opportunity we've been waiting for have widely opened now. We have achieved so much in the areas of infrastructure, livelihood, health, education, agriculture, sitio electrification, tourism and, most of all, in the high level of awareness on the real strength of the Marinduqueno.

During the speech, Velasco also thanked the officials of government, the soldiers, workers in the various industries, professionals, and students, whom he said "have not ceased to pose critical questions, make their own voices be heard, pushing forward fresh ideas." The same goes, he said, for those in the barangays who have kept their minds open for that fulfillment of change."

"Ang tutok natin ngayon ay nasa pag-unlad. Masasabi ko po na ang mga hamon sa atin sa kasalukuyan ay hindi kasing hirap ng dinanas ng mga henerasyong nauna sa atin. Subalit ang puwersa ng pagiging matuwid o makatuwiran, ang katatagan at katalihuhan, na gamit ng mga nauna sa atin ay ganun pa rin ang kahalagahan at kabuluhan sa kasalukuyan" - Cong. Velasco

As chief executive of the Municipality of Boac, Mayor Roberto Madla spearheaded the provincial event in cooperation with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Provincial Government of Marinduque.

From left: Dr. Leodegario M. Jalos, Jr,. MSC vice-president for academic affairs  and descendant of a Paye hero, Lt. Antonio Jalos, as guest of honor; Congressman Velasco, Vice-Governor Antonio Uy and Boac Mayor Roberto M. Madla.

Medical and dental mission, Poblacion (Torrijos), Bocboc and Puting Buhangin (Mogpog).

Prior to the July 31st Battle of Paye observance, Velasco personally attended the conduct of  medical and dental missions for indigents in Torrijos and barangays Bocboc and Puting Buhangin in Mogpog. Upon his initiative, corporations like Petron and San Miguel Corporation sponsored the two-day mission that saw hundreds of patients treated for various ailments and for tooth extraction. The mission, he said, obtained the full support of no less than SMC president, Ramon S. Ang.

The elderly.

Infants' mothers, kids and people of all ages were one in expressing their thanks to the hardworking team of medical doctors, dentists, nurses and volunteers who were there to respond to their needs, including free medicines. Video on the medical mission held on July 29-30 follows: