MUNICIPALITY OF ATIMONAN, Historical Data of Part 9

The electorate of Atimonan, Quezon endorsed the mayoralty of Doroteo Ricafort through the election of November 1959 under the Nacionalista banner. After two years of his administration, 1960-1961, he sensed that he was liable to fail under President Diosdao Macapagal, a liberal, and Representative Eladio Caliwara of the Second District of Quezon, also a liberal. Believing the famous quotation of the late Pres. Quezon, "My loyalty to the party ends where my loyalty to the people begins," he changed party lines for the good of his town. This actuation of his was tantamount to his political sacrifices, for almost 75% of the voting population of Atimonan were NP's. Hence, he had a very slim chance for reelection.

The administration of Mayor Doroteo Ricafort was crowned with the rehabilitation projects with the support of the Representative from the Second District of Quezon. The following were his major accomplishments:

The following projects were financed out of national aids: Barrio projects through national aids:

Barrio center of Tanauan with concrete flooring.

Financial aid to the Tanauan Elementary School.

Construction of a water pump in barrio Tanauan.

Barrio center of Lumutan.

Construction of a water pump in barrio Lumutan.

Barrio center in Buhangin, with concrete flooring and panels around.

Reconstruction of the Buhangin Elementary School.

Construction of a water pump in Buhangin.

Barrio center in Talaba.

Barrio center of Balubad, with concrete flooring.

Aid to Balubad Elementary School.

Construction of the Kilait-Lubi footbridge.

Aid to Tagbakin Elementary School.

Construction of a school footbridge in Sokol.

Barrio center in Manggalayan Labak.k

Aid to Manggalayan Elementary School.

Barrio center in Sapaan.

Aid to Sambat-Yawe Road.

Barrio center in Inaklagan.

Concrete flooring of the barrio center at San Andres, Labak.

Aid to San Andres Bundok Elementary School.

Aid to Montes Balaon Elementary School.

Barrio center of Montes Kailagan.

Barrio center of Tinandog.

Aid to Barrio Rizal Elementary School.

Concrete flooring of the Rizal Barrio Center.

Construction of the Rizal Health Center.

Reconstruction of the Rizal footbridge.

Barrio center of Malinao Ibaba.

Aid to Malinao Ibaba Elementary School.

Construction of prefab school building in Malinao Ibaba.

Barrio Health Center with concrete flooring in Malinao Ilaya.

Construction of a health center in Malinao Ilaya.

Aid to the barrio center of Caridad Ilaya.

Construction of prefab building in Villa Ilaya.

Aid to Villa Ilaya Elementary School.

Concrete flooring of the Malusak Barrio Center.

Aid to Malusak Elementary School.

Barrio center of Habingan.

Concrete flooring of the Ponon Barrio Center.

Aid to Ponon Elementary School.

Aid to San Rafael Elementary School.

Construction of the concrete flooring of the Inalig Barrio Center.

Aid to Inalig Extension School.

Aid to Kulawit Barrio Center.

Aid to Malanag Elementary School

This administration constructed concrete street sign boards and some of the street names which were not so significant in Philippine History were changed and named after some of the local personalities.

It was also during Mayor Ricafort's incumbency when the prominent citizens of Barrio Plaridel agitated for the barrio's separation from the Municipality of Atimonan. Through the intercession of Representative Eladio Caliwara by means of legislation, Plaridel was created a new municipality with the barrios of Tanauan, Concepcion, and Ilosong.

In the local election of 1963, Ricafort was the LP mayoralty candidate for reelection. His compadre, Domingo P. Escasa, Director of the Quezon Memorial School, was duly chosen at the party convention as the NP standard bearer. At the outset, some of the LP leaders conceded an easy victory for the reelectionist due to the following: 1)his numerous projects for the good of the community; 2) Rep. Eladio Caliwara had two more years in Congress and more national aid could be accorded to Ricafort; and 3) Escasa's name was unheralded in political centers prior to his nomination for the mayorship. But the political bigwigs of the local NP chapter manifested their unequivocal desire to defeat the LP. They reorganized the NP barrio chapters. Women leaders were mobilized. The local NP strategist coordinated their campaign plans. Thus, Escasa's victory was conceded when the canvassing of votes terminated.

Construction of a temporary municipal building after the big fire of March 6, 1964.

Cementing a portion of Rizal and Quezon Streets.

Construction of the concrete Pergola Road and rest house at the municipal cemetery compound. He was the first mayor of Atimonan to improve and beautify the aforementioned cemetery.

Leveling, widening, and cementing of the road before entering the town proper from Lucena.

Installation of ten water pumps in concrete wells in the different parts of the town.

Worked for the extension of electric light to the barrios of Tagbakin and Angeles.

General repair fo the Lavides Bridge at the Maling River, and it was provided with flood control at the end of the bridge.

Cementing a portion of the seaside drive and electric light was provided.

Through the initiative of the council, torrens titles were acquired for all municipal lots in the Poblacion.

Five prefab Marcos-type school buildings were acquired.

Construction of a new concrete municipal building at barrio Tagbakin, worth ₱230,000.00 (half-finished in 1968).

Purchased one dump truck and general reconditioning of the old one.

Purchase of two fire-fighting engines.

Purchase of one siren and it was installed at the entrance of the town near the Atimonan Ice and Electric Plant.

The unusual occurrence that was experienced by the administration was the conflagration of March 6, 1964. Almost one-fourth of the town was gutted by fire.

As Mayor of Atimonan from 1964 to 1967, Domingo P. Escasa conferred with the national leaders, including President Marcos, concerning the dire needs of the municipality. He was fiery in his speeches, even in the presence of the Provincial Governor Anacleto Alcala. His boldness was in vain.

In September 1967, the local chapter of the Nacionalista Party held its political convention at the Atimonan Academy Gym (now Leon Guinto Memorial College Gym), the purpose of which was to select the official candidates of the party for municipal councilors, vice-mayor, and mayor. The incumbent vice-mayor, Vicente M. Aguilar, Jr., was nominated for the mayoralty. Another Nacionalista, Mr. Melecio Montes, a retired colonel of the Philippine Air Force, was also nominated. At the outset, the outcome of the contest was unpredictable, for Colonel Montes was supported by the majority of the NP old guards and, at at the same time, he was very popular among the poblacion delegates to the convention. On the other hand, Vice-Mayor Vicente M. Aguilar had the strong backing of the barrio folks, especially among the young turks. The fight appeared interesting and full of suspense. But when the appreciation of ballots ended, Vice-Mayor Aguilar was proclaimed the winner. The leaders of the winner had all smiles of victory.

When the preparation for the political campaign of the Aguilar camp was in full swing, some staunch supporters of the ex-Colonel Montes influenced him to continue his candidacy on the contention that was shrouded in mystery. The accusation was flimsy and baseless for those who ran the convention were men of integrity, morally upright, and they had never been involved in any dubious activities. This was in consonance with the opinions of the most neutral observers. However, ex-Colonel Montes acceded to run, for he was fighting for a principle which he believed would help solve the intricate problems of the town.

This year's election for Municipal Mayor of Atimonan was a four-cornered fight as a young, energetic lawyer, Atty. Jose Mendoza (now Municipal judge of Atimonan), was also a candidate as an independent N.P. Then, the local liberal moguls drafted Mr. Ernesto Altamira, manager of the Atimonan Rural Bank, as the LP standard bearer.

The result of the election was, indeed, interesting. Ex-Colonel Montes was overwhelmingly chosen in the Poblacion, while the rural areas decided that Vice-Mayor Vicente M. Aguilar, Jr. should be the Municipal Mayor of Atimonan from 1968 to 1971. The total number of votes gave

Aguilar the edge

All municipal mayors and the entire municipal council of Atimonan who were elected after World War II could be proud of their accomplishments, but if accomplishments were to be compared in quantity as well as in quality, the municipal council under the leadership of Mayor Aguilar could be ranked first. The list below may convince even his political critics that the chain of accomplishments is superb:

a) Restored to its former usability the Guinto Boulevard, which was closed to traffic due to Typhoon Welming.

b) Repaired most municipal streets, particularly Juan Ara St., wherein the gutters and the street itself were placed in good order by the joint efforts of the residents of the said street and the municipal government.

c) Increase in vegetable productivity by sponsoring and implementing Mayor Aguilar's Municipal Agricultural Upliftment Progress, wherein all barrio council officials were required to participate. (This progress was openly commended by Secretary Salas.)

d) The construction of seven public wells, equipped with Jetmatic hand pumps, all strategically located for the convenient use of the general public.

e) Asphalting a part of Quezon Street to Manzano-Cerrudo Streets (150 M.).

f) Asphalting a part of Osmeña Street from Atimonan Academy to Governor Castro Street, approximately 250 meters.

g) Reconstruction of culvert traversing Iskong Bantay Street. (The project cost ₱500.00.)

h) General improvement of garbage collection, increasing sanitation in the public market.

i) Spraying of all barrios with DDT, by requesting the Malaria Control Bureau of Health, Gumaca Branch.

j) Spraying of the Poblacion-proper every two months to control the growth of mosquitoes, together with the application of used crude oil in all canals in the Poblacion, done with the help of the Atimonan Ice and Electric Plant, which donated the used crude oil.

k) Was able to secure the release and construction of four three-room Marcos-type school buildings. (Malinao Ilaya, Rizal, Buhangin, Malusak) All with the help of Governor Alcala, and secured the assurance from Secretary Rafael Salas of seven more Marcos-type buildings to be distributed in the barrios.

l) Secured the release of TWENTY THOUSAND PESOS (₱20,000.00) for the initial irrigation river control project in Sitio Lagalag, Atimonan, Quezon (only suspended due to the rainy season but to be continued next summer).

m) Was able to negotiate that the Coco-Chemical Philippine Factory be constructed in barrio Caridad Ibaba of this municipality, the said being a multi-million peso project, a semi-government commercial concern which will necessitate the employment of many laborers from this municipality, not to mention the financial speculation this municipality will receive in the immediate future.

n) The partial construction of the new concrete municipal building in barrio Tagbakin, amounting to ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (₱100,000.00), which had been initiated by the administration under ex-Mayor Domingo P. Escasam but constructed by this administration, resulting into the expansion of the Poblacion-proper of the municipality as a part of barrio Tagbakin will have to be incorporated into the Poblacion.

o) The repair of the barrio Balubad Footbridge (costing this municipality ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS [₱1,500.00]), which was destroyed by typhoon Welming.

p) Clearing and improvement of all barrio trails and paths, connecting barrios by the initiative of all District Councilors.

q) Completion of the multi-purpose pavement of barrio San Rafael and barrio San Isidro, and the gravity irrigation of Malinao Ilaya, with the help of the PACD.

r) Establishment of the Experimental High School in barrio Malinao Ilaya.

s) Secured the assurance of Vice-President Fernando Lopez of the approval for the release of watershed and communal forest, containing an area of 520 hectares, more or less, and the study to release the already developed forest zones of barrios Caridad Ilaya, Caridad Ibaba, Villa Ibaba, Villa Ilaya, Rizal, and Santa Catalina.

t) Secured the release, with the help of Governor Alcala and Congressman Manuel Enverga of THREE THOUSAND PESOS (₱3,000.00) for the repair of the national road in this municipality.

u) Improvement of the zigzag road (national road, Atimonan side) by cementing and asphalting its approaches, together with the widening of the said road for the safety and convenience of the riding public.

v) Repaired the working condition of our dump truck and police jeep, increasing the efficiency of our health and protective systems.

w) Effected the close coordination between local government and the national workers assigned to this municipality (PACD, RCPCC, APC, and SWA), thus increasing the national support the barrios of this municipality will receive from the national government.

x) Reduced the overdraft of the municipal government from ₱19,000.00 to ₱11,000.00, at the same time increasing the efficiency of the police force by appointing five (5) additional policemen to the existing vacancies without creating any new positions.

y) Secured an administrative order from the Bureah of Fisheries Commission which prohibits basnig, trawl, and other vessels using strong light to operate in the municipal waters of Atimonan from the month of June to October, for the purpose of protecting and preserving marine life in our municipal waters.

z) Was able to get from the PACD, with the help of Governor Alcala, twenty (20) transistor radios, which were distributed to the deserving barrios.

These accomplishments were from January 1968. Others in his first term were as follows:

1) Negotiated for the construction and establishment of a Philippine National Bank branch building worth ₱350,000.00, constructed over leased municipal lot, the only kind of contract entered into by the Philippine National Bank.

2) Repair and construction of the Atimonan Road — 10 km, ₱11,000.00.

3) Construction of the Balubad-Manggalayan Labak feeder roads, ₱18,000.00.

4) Cementing of the principal streets - Poblacion:

Juez Andres St. Iskong Bantay St. Rizal St. Arellano St. Quezon St. Cost

140 meters 120 meters 150 meters 100 meters 150 meters ₱86,000.00

5) Construction of the Talaba-Buhangin Bridge (concrete) 50 meters long, ₱200,00.00.

6) Planned and negoatiated the construction of the Marcos-type School Building located at:

Rizal Campus Barrio Rizal Barrio Malinao Ilaya Barrio Malinao Ibaba Barrio Sapaan Barrio San [unreadable] Barrio Montes Balaon Barrio San Andres Bundok Barrio Manggalayan Labak Barrio Caridad Ilaya Barrio Villa Ilaya Barrio Villa Ibaba Barrio Balubad Barrio Buhangin Barrio Malusak Barrio Ponon Barrio San Rafael

5 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

7) Construction of the San Andres-Sapaan Bridge, span 20 meters, ₱10,000.00.

8) Poblacion Sanitary Jetmatic Artesian Well - 15, cost: ₱10,000.00.

9) Construction Spring Development, barrio Magsaysay - cost, ₱20,000.00.

10. Construction, Spring Development, barrio San Andres Labak, cost: ₱3,000.00.

11. Construction, Irrigation (Gravity), barrio Malinao Ilaya, cost: ₱6,000.00.

12. Repair of the Malinao waterworks (Guinto) Municipal, cost: ₱20,000.00.

13. Buhangin-Lumutan concreting, national road, 3 km., cost: ₱300,000.00.

14. Angeles-Buhangin concreting, national road, 1.5 km., cost, ₱150,000.00.

15. San Rafael-Ponon road asphalting, 2 km., ₱50,000.00

Historical Data of the Municipality of Atimonan, Province of Quezon, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.