AURORA …. At a glance

Brief History 73rd province in the Philippines created under Batas Pambansa Blg.

07 on 21 November 1978 and subsequently ratified through a plebiscite in May 1979.

named Aurora in honor of Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon. The Province of Aurora celebrates its Foundation Day simultaneously with Doña Aurora's birthday.

On May 17, 2002 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive order no. 103       dividing Region IV into region IV-A and Region IV-B, transferring the province of Aurora to region III

Location

It lies in the mid Eastern Coast of Luzon bordered by the Sierra Madre ranges. Aurora Province occupies a long and narrow strip of land covering an area of 323,954 hectares. Three (3) development zones:• Northern Zone (Dilasag, Casiguran and

Dinalungan);• Central Zone (Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler

and San Luis) and, • Southern Zone (Dingalan).

Boundaries

North- Isabela & Quirino ProvinceNorthwest - Nueva Viscaya ProvinceWest - Nueva Ecija ProvinceSouthwest - Bulacan ProvinceSouth - Quezon ProvinceEast - Pacific Ocean

Topography & Slope

• Aurora covers the eastern portion of the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges;

• It is generally mountainous with 30% coastal flatlands.

• Its coastline spans 332 kilometers in length.• Flat lands are situated near the coastline

and foothill having slopes of 0-2 and 5-15 percent, respectively.

Elevation

• The Province of Aurora is situated within the eastern portion of the Sierra Madre from Isabela in the North to Quezon in the South. The elevation ranges from 0 meters to 1,901 meters above sea level.

Climate• Aurora lies within the typhoon belt. It is

characterized by Type IV climate. Because the province faces the Pacific Ocean, it is regularly battered by typhoons coming from the east.

• Generally sunny and humid; rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year, averaging 274 mm/month; average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius

People

• Dominant population of Tagalog and Ilocano; Indigenous groups of Dumagat, Bugkalot and Igorot.

Language & Dialects

• Filipino, English, Ilocano, Kasiguranin, Bicolano, Visayan

Forest Resources

• Forestry is another significant industry. About 74% percent of the province's 323,954 hectares can be classified as woodland. Virtually all (99.9%) of the forest areas are classified as woodland, steep sloping land and inaccessible land. Cottage industries in the province make use of such forest products as rattan, nito, sabutan, luknoy, puroy and pandan.

Mineral Resources

Aurora is rich in mineral deposits, Metallic ores such as copper, iron, chromate, manganese, gold and nickel are abundant especially in the Sierra Madre area. The province also has many non-metallic minerals, including guano, black sand, cement, marble, carbon and silica. Largely untapped, these deposits can contribute significantly to the country's mining industry.

Marine ResourcesFishing is also a major industry in the province. Of the eight municipalities, seven lie along coastal areas. Approximately one-third of the province's population located in the 48 barangays along the coastline is dependent on fishing industry.

Natural Resources• The province is also endowed with vast

natural resources that could support numerous cottage industries. Aurora is rich in sabutan, coconut and its by-products, nipa, bamboo, gravel, sand, wood, rattan, shell, buri and nito. But these resources remain largely untapped due to lack of investment. The cottage industries would benefit from tourism and development.

Wildlife Resources• Aurora Memorial National Park with a total

of 4,310 hectares which is situated in the municipalities of Maria Aurora and San Luis serves as the wildlife sanctuaries. Different kinds of wild animals and birds exist in the area. However, these species will be endangered if illegal cutting of trees and forest exploitation will not be abated.

Wildlife Resources• Philippine Eagle……………

Wildlife Resources• Rafflesia manillana, 17 cm. in diameter. A Rafflesia in AMNP was

first discovered by Drs. Rafe Brown of Kansas University and Arvin Diesmos, herpetologists of the National Museum in 2009

during a survey of the of the reptiles and amphibians in the park.

PAMBs OrganizedProtected Areas Location Date Organized

1. Aurora Memorial National Park

Brgy. Villa Aurora, Maria Aurora, Aurora

August 29, 1998

2. Simbahan-Talagas Protected Landscape

Brgys .Mapalad, Dinalungan, Aurora

August 29, 1998

3. Talaytay River Protected Landscape

Brgy. Dibaraybay, Dinalungan, Aurora

November 10, 1998

4. Amro River Protected Landscape

Brgy. Tinib, Dinalungan, Aurora

November 10, 1998

5. Calabgan Watershed Forest Reserve

Brgys. Bianoan, Calabgan & Dibet, Casiguran, Aurora

November 2, 1998

6. Dinadian River Protected Landscape

Brgy. Dinadiawan, Dipaculao, Aurora

November 2, 1998

7. Casecnan Protected Landscape

Dipaculao, Aurora July 18, 2001

Organizational Structure of DENR PENRO Aurora

Historical & Religious Sites

BALER CHURCH (Baler, Aurora) – Situated south of Quezon Memorial Park, in its vicinity stands Mount Carmel College. Baler’s patron saint is San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. The church is built largely of stones and bricks. This was the old historically famous garrison during the Spanish regime and the last pocket of resistance of the Spanish armed forces to surrender to the American Troops. It existed until the end of 1939 when the foundation of the new church was laid as the old church was almost eroding and falling into pieces.The present church was built through the initiative of the late President Quezon’s wife Doña Aurora, their family and friends with the cooperative effort of the townspeople. The church was proclaimed as one of the historical landmarks of the Philippines by the National Historical Institute on February 29, 2000.

Historical & Religious Sites

QUEZON MEMORIAL PARK (Baler, Aurora) – The birthplace of the late President Manuel L. Quezon, it is situated at the heart of the town. This is where the house of the Quezon’s once stood, a relatively small house made of wood, bamboo and nipa materials. In the event of time, the place was made the center of people’s recreation and a place for remembering the good hero.

Historical & Religious Sites

MUSEO DE BALER (Baler, Aurora) – Located in Quezon Park, it has the photo exhibit of Pres. Quezon and his family and other leaders of the province. Pictures of the past events during the American, Spanish and Japanese period showing the history and culture of Aurorans, scenic spots and ethnic tribes of the province are on display. There are also things to be read about the province and its people especially the Dumagat and Ilongot.

Historical & Religious Sites

ERMITA HILL (Baler, Aurora) – Located at Brgy. Zabali, this plateau covers an area of about two hectares overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is approximately six kilometers from the town of Baler via Kinalapan-Cemento road. It can also be reached by traversing the river of Tibag and is more or less 20 minutes walk from Castillo. During the Tromba Marina, a phenomenal tidal wave on Dec. 27, 1735, which swept the town of Baler, it was used by the old folks as their get-away. The place became their temporary resettlement, which they called “Kinagunasan”, meaning “devastated”. When the pirates demolished the whole town capturing more or less 450 people including three priest, one of whom was allegedly sold, the survivors escaped by fleeing and hiding in the forest around Ermita. Ermita Hill was identified as site for Philippine Civil Service Centennial Forest. 

Historical & Religious Sites

DONA AURORA ARAGON QUEZON HOUSE (Baler, Aurora)– Located at Rizal St. corner San Luis St., this house was re-build in honor of the wife of the late Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon. Doña Aurora who was known for her untiring efforts in providing social welfare services especially to the people of Aurora Province.

Historical & Religious Sites

DIKALOYUNGAN MARKER (Baler, Aurora) – (as per written in the marker) “Sa pook na ito noong ika-3 ng Setyembre 1897 nagpunit ng sedula ang mga katipunerong kinabibilangan nina Teodorico Luna Novicio, Antero Amatorio, Norberto Valenzuela, Isabelo Palispis at iba pa sa mga lumagda sa isang manipestong nagpapahayag ng kanilang pagsalungat sa kapangyarihan ng Espanya. Sa pangyayaring ito nagsimula ang himagsikang Filipino sa distrito ng prinsipe (Aurora ngyon). Nagsilbi rin itong himpilan ng kilusang rebolusyonaryo”

Historical & Religious Sites

ERMITA HILL (Casiguran, Aurora) – Situated at the northeastern end of Liwayway St. Poblacion 3, Casiguran, Aurora, it houses the statue of the alleged miraculous Virgin Mary who according to legendary beliefs stood as the residents protection during the height of the Muslim invasion of the coastal town.

Historical & Religious Sites

DIBUT BAY (San Luis, Aurora) – This scenic and historical place mostly inhabited by Dumagats or Aetas is the landing site of the submarines USS Narwhal and USS Nautilus during WW II. Today, the wide Dibut Bay coast provides numerous sights such as an island formation appropriately named Birhen (meaning Virgin). It is an island sculpted by natural erosion resembling the figure of the Virgin Mary praying amidst the waves. While there are many other interesting spots in the area, much of its beauty is settled deep in the waters such as an abundance of marine life including the fast dwindling hammerhead shark and Mako shark. Certain areas also provide potential scenic dive spots for the experienced diver.

EcologicalSites

DICASALARIN COVE (Baler, Aurora) – Located in Brgy. Zabali, Baler, Aurora, one can either have a choice of which nature to commune – river, ocean or mountain or altogether embrace them at the merging point of a headland.

EcologicalSites

SABANG BEACH (Baler, Aurora)– the place is ideal for surfing and considered as one of the country’s best site for surfing competitions. Accommodation and resorts as well as other amenities for nightlife are found here.

EcologicalSites

DIMASALANG WATERFALLS (Maria Aurora, Aurora)– This eco-tourism attraction features a staircase-like falls with an average height of about 25 meters flowing to the explicitly curved rock formations. Downstream is a lagoon ideal for diving and swimming.

EcologicalSites

NIA WATERSHED (San Luis, Aurora)– this is a small dam built beside a picnic area. The stream below the dam is so clear that the greenish vegetation at the bottom and the reflection of its surrounding can both be clearly viewed.

EcologicalSites

CASAPSAPAN BEACH (Casiguran, Aurora)– If Manila Bay has its vaunted golden sunset, Casapsapan Beach in Brgy. Ildefonso, Casiguran, Aurora offers a magnificent view of the brilliant sunrise where one can watch the sun rising slowly from the eastern horizon almost as big as winnower. Its inherent and idyllic beauty such as the white sand beaches, clear-blue sparkling waters and five hectares of virgin mangrove offers everyone extreme pleasure and blissful satisfaction. One can experience the feeling of not wanting to leave the place anymore.

EcologicalSites

MOTIONG  BEACH (Casiguran, Aurora)– Ideal for bathing and swimming especially during summer season for its lowly and rippling waves captivate the onlookers as they strike the sandy shores of Motiong Beach in Brgy. San Ildefonso, Casiguran, Aurora.

EcologicalSites

BULAWAN FALLS (Dinalungan, Aurora) – Acclaimed as the Cleanest Inland Body of Water – Regional Category, Bulawan falls rises one hundred meters from the ground standing majestically on the wilderness of Brgy. Paleg. The impressive rock walling along the bank of the river adds to its awe-inspiring beauty. Added attraction is the towering tree that showers crystallized water believed to be miraculous. With the construction of the different facilities in the area, it is fast becoming a tourist destination in the province.

EcologicalSites

DITUMABO FALLS (San Luis, Aurora) – It is located within the 4,587.5 hectares of Ditumabo-Diteki Watershed Reservation area. The majestic waterfall is approximately 140 ft. high, the surrounding mountainous area is covered with tall hardwoods, green shrubbery and vines. Drizzles of cool water seem to remain suspended I the air.

The crystal clear river of Ditumabo Falls gushes endlessly, flowing and twisting among countless rocks and boulders. Traversing to the waterfall is an enjoyable 45 minutes (2 kms.) hiking and trekking through the river over rough terrain, few steep mountain trail, river trail utilizing man made stairs, wooden bridges and sometimes old cut logs which serve as natural bridges. The shower falls and the baby falls are a sight to see before the mother falls. 

Tourist Destination

Tourist Destination

Tourist Destination

Tourist Destination

Tourism Campaign

Tourism Campaign

Tourism Campaign

Tourism Campaign

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