BONTOC, Mountain Province – Sen. Francis N. Tolentino graced the province’s 58th Founding Anniversary commemorative program held at the Eyeb Gym on April 7, 2025.
In his message, Sen. Tolentino said that he would soon file a bill relative to the submission of a chart (i.e., “Talampas ng Pilipinas” chart) to the United Nations (UN) International Seabed Authority (ISA).
According to Tolentino, the country’s submission of the chart to the UN ISA will unlock the exploration of the 13-million-hectare “Talampas ng Pilipinas,” a resource-rich undersea plateau located at the country’s eastern seaboard of Northern Luzon. This, he said, would address the country’s future energy needs, considering the rich natural resources in the said plateau. Among those he mentioned that the country could gain in terms of the country’s energy requirements are oil, gas, methane deposits, and manganese nodules.
Exploration and exploitation of the said resources, he said, would mean lower prices of gas and electricity.
In addition, Senator Tolentino also underscored the value of tradition. “I join this celebration because it is a testament to your honoring of your faith, culture and heritage… Nurture and value your traditions through faith, culture, and heritage. Ako po ay nandito para ipaabot ang aking paggalang at respeto sa inyong tradisyon bilang Senate Majority Floor Leader,” he said.
“I join your festival, the 28th Lang-ay Festival, to give honour and homage to the hardworking people of Mountain Province and to recognize the leadership of Mountain Province headed by your good Governor Lacwasan and the rest of his team, including your Congressman.
Sana po, sa darating na panahon, makita natin ang Mountain Province na isa sa nangunguna hindi lang sa awards funding dinadayo at kinikilala ng buong Pilipinas. May God continue to bless your beautiful province,” he further said.
Meanwhile, the Senator commended the province’s leaders for their exemplary leadership as evidenced by the four Seal of Good Local Governance awards of the province.
He said that the key component or secret ingredient to achieving dreams and aspirations lies in Local Government Units, particularly their leaders.
“If you have a good Governor, it (dreams/ aspirations) will be done. If you have a good Mayor, it will be done. If there is unity among the people, it will be done. All solutions will come from the efficiency and effectiveness of your local leaders as well as the unity being shown by the people,” he further said. By MP-PIO
