The waste management aspect of the tour was aptly addressed by the visits on March 6 to the Dasmariñas Ecological Center, the IDEAS Composting Facility, the Foundation for a Sustainable Society (FSSI) Farm and the Center for Ecozoic Living and Learning (CELL), all in Cavite. These waste treatment plants are joint endeavors of the local government units and non-government organizations as well as foreign funding agencies. These facilities cater to approximately 5,000 households, 300 business establishments and the public market of the poblacion area with 7 tons of garbage collected daily, yielding organic of fertilizers. The monthly collection, the scheme recovers 25% of the waste, the remaining are residual. Due to the waste segregation at source, another 15% - 20% recyclables are recovered from households and the public market. Already on 3^{rd year, the Silang Waste Management Program continues to expand from the initial 14 barangays to the other 50. another area which was visited by the group was the Center for Ecozoic Living and Learning or CELL which advocates waste materials in this site are made to decompose the natural way or recycled to become fertilizers, fuel etc.}

From Silang the group motored to the House of Representatives and observed the proceedings of the plenary session. They were accommodated by Congressman Salacnib Baterina who also arranged an audience with House Speaker Jose de Venecia. During the brief meeting, the good Speaker discussed the present concerns of the Philippine Legislature such as the postponement of the Barangay and SK elections; and the LGU EQUALIZATION FUND.

The second day saw the contingent observe the tourism and heritage conservation programs of Taal, Batangas and Tagaytay City. The first stop was Taal with Mayor and Mrs. Librado Cabrera welcoming the Bigueños. At the Escuala Pia they were treated to a merienda cum cultural show. Taal products such as embroidered textile; fan knives and delicacies were also exhibited. From the old school we proceeded to the nearby Basilica of St. Martin de Tours which underwent massive restoration through the initiative of Taal Heritage Foundation. The Basilica is reputed to be one of the oldest and biggest Catholic Church in the Far East. Another famous religious landmark is the Shrine of the Miraculous Lady of Caysasay to whom the people of Taal attribute their deliverance from calamities particularly the eruptions of Taal Volcano.

Like Vigan City, this municipality of Batangas prides itself with having conserved its heritage. It has historical structures owned by sons and daughters of Taal who played important roles in Philippine history such as Doña Marcela Agoncillo, who made the first Philippine flag, unfurled in Kawit, Cavite on the proclamation of our 1st Phil. Independence on June 12, 1898; Don Leon Apacible, a signatory of the Malolos Constitution and Doña Gliceria Villavicencio a wealthy lady who devoted her life and treasures for the welfare of the Taaleños especially during the revolution. After going around the Heritage district, lunch consisting of the town’s specialties, courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. Ernie Villaviciencio was served at Hacienda Villas.

The next destination was Tagaytay City, the summer capital of Southern Luzon. The Vigan delegation was welcomed by city officials headed by Vice Mayor Virgilio Ambion. The Vice Mayor presented the symbolic key to the city to Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina after which a briefing was held through the showing of a video on Tagaytay’s program of government; its best practices and tourist attractions. The Bigueños were also brought to the Lake Garden Hotel which is owned and managed by the city government. The group also dropped by the People’s Park nestled on one of the highest peaks in the city. In the park, one would marvel at the breathtaking view of Tagaytay and adjacent municipalities and cities.

The study trip was capped by a day tour of the Corregidor Island, the most famous war memorial in the Philippines. The Vigan contingent reached the island after 45-minute boat ride. Broken into three groups, they boarded tranvia buses to see the ruins and relics of the World War II. Truly a historic isle of remembrance, Corregidor shares with visitors the memories of victories and defeats of Filipinos and Americans through numerous monuments and parks such as the Pacific-war Memorial, the Gen. Mac Arthur Park, the Pres. Quezon Park, the Japanese Garden Peace Park, the Fil-Am Friendship Park, The Lighthouse, the battery ways and the Malinta Tunnel. This tunnel was completed in 1922 with a length of 835 feet and width of 24 ft. with 24 laterals branching out from it. It was an arsenal and an underground hospital. It served as an ideal bomb-proof headquarters for the embattled Filipino and American Soldiers; and was also the seat of Phil. Gov’t. under Pres. Manuel L. Quezon. Its thrills are experienced through a unique Light and Sound Show scripted by National Artist and outstanding Filipino film director Lamberto Avellana. The show depicts the events of the war complete with bombing effects. Enriched with new things about.

Philippine history the Bigueños were ferried back to Manila with a stronger sense of nationalism brought by the brief journey back to history in the Island of Corregidor.

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