FROM our exceedingly high perch here in Calumpang, we can see the vast expanse of the provinces of Quezon and Laguna, two of the most scenic places in Calabarzon. With the hot dry-season months upon us, tourism should enjoy quite a boom in this part of Region 4-A.
Whoever coined the term Calabarzon to refer to Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon must be remembered and praised, for the term has become a buzzword, spreading by word of mouth. Calabarzon has become so successful a term that the island provinces followed suit, calling Region 4-B as Mimaropa for Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.
I remember by good friend Ex-Gov. Eddie Rodriguez of Quezon as he tried to make Quezon Number One at least in name within the Calabarzon region.
Eddie Rodriguez wanted the region to be renamed Zoncalabar. This was the time when most power plants were being built and operated in Quezon, and economic growth was really on the horizon.
Now, it is Klabarzon
Fast becoming another buzzword in Region 4-A is the idea of Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino, the senator from Cavite and Tagaytay City -- Klabarzon.
Klabarzon is a non-stock corporation incorporated in 2021 to contribute to the promotion and protection of the socio-economic well-being of the people in five member-provinces in the Southern Tagalog region with Senator Tol as convenor.
Two of Klabarzon's principal objectives are to initiate and promote the region's sustainable tourism, environmental and political growth; and to advocate policies and measures that will promote the economic, educational, social and cultural development of the region.
The Klabarzon Lipunan, its official name, will also assist local government units (LGUs) of Southern Tagalog in maintaining its status as the premier growth center of the Philippines through the attainment of a peaceful, resilient and inclusive system of good governance.
The group will also maintain and inculcate among the youth the historical value of the Southern Tagalog as the cradle of Philippine Independence.
This must be the reason why Senator Tol chose to launch the Klabarzon town hall meetings at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite where Philippine Independence was proclaimed on June 12, 1898.
The second town hall meeting was held last March 14 at the Rizal Shrine in Calamba City.
In these meetings, Tolentino invites cabinet officials to dialogue with local mayors, governors and barangay officials on their multifarious concerns.