The Aurora Experience: Casiguran

29 April 2010 (Day 2). Four hours from Baler is a town called Casiguran. Before the concrete roads and bridges were constructed, travel time used to take days, and during rainy season, you might not even get a chance to go to Casiguran at all. The reason for our sojourn to this place is because the municipality of Casiguran was nominated for an award in line with the Streamlining Project In the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit, and we were to validate data submitted to us by the Provincial Validating Team.

We left Baler early in the morning hoping to get to Casiguran before lunch time and wishing to get a glimpse of the hidden wonders of this very isolated place. Before this trip, I searched the web for some natural attractions and chanced upon a virgin beach located in Sitio Casapsapan which I hoped to visit. After our official business with the LGU of Casiguran, our wish was granted and our very helpful partners from the Provincial Government of Aurora (Sir Val and Sir George) agreed to take us to Casapsapan Beach for a photo-op. The trip was really worth it. If we had enough time, I could’ve donned my swimwear and frolicked in the beach, but alas, the real world awaits, and the road back to Baler is long and rough, and we can’t afford to delay the trip since there is a part in Dinalungan that is hard to traverse when there is not enough daylight to guide you (think falling off a cliff.)

A big thanks to Sir Val, Sir George (our very skillful driver), and of course Sir Jennings of the Provincial Government of Aurora for arranging the vehicle (a newly-bought Toyota Innova which looked like it competed in a 4x4 challenge after our trip to Casiguran.) We didn’t mean to be the first-time users, it so happened that the original vehicle assigned to us was still in the shop. At least the vehicle was subjected to a really meticulous test drive and there is a still a 7-day warranty in case something happens to it. A million thanks also to Ate Emily of DTI-Aurora for accompanying us to the LGUs of San Luis and Casiguran and for the over-all coordination, and to Tita Cora of the PGA Guesthouse who treated us like her children during our stay in Baler. I take pride for being the first from the regional office (according to Ate Ems) to go to Casiguran. I hope I can go back, this time for leisure.