By Emma M. Arellano

Bataan (18 Feb.) -- It’s Kalakalan Festival 2004 for the whole month of February in Mariveles, Bataan, to commemorate the town’s 59th founding anniversary and to celebrate Tourism Month.

At the opening of the festival last February 2, Governor Leonardo B. Roman, who was guest of honor, commended local officials for continuously luring businessmen to invest in Mariveles, known as the industrial haven of Bataan.

The Bataan Export Processing Zone, now called Bataan Economic Zone (BEZ), is the very first economic zone in the country. It was established in Mariveles through the initiative of the late Congressman Pablo Roman, father of Gov. Roman.

More than 50 export-oriented and labor-intensive companies currently operate at the BEZ, according to Mayor Angel V. Peliglorio Jr.

Among the biggest locators at the BEZ are: Mitsumi, Philippines, a Japanese electronics firm; S.S. Ventures, a Korean company that produces athletic shoes; Essilor Mfg. Inc., French manufacturer of optical lenses; Paramount Footwear, Korean manufacturer of sports shoes; Dong-in Entoch, another Korean firm that produces bags; Dunlop Slazenger, a British maker of tennis balls; Universal Weaver Corporation, a Taiwanese textile manufacturer and Yusung Adventure, a Korean bag producer.

More than 25,000 workers are employed at the BEZ and in 1997 alone, export receipts from the economic zone reached US$396.115 million, according to statistics.

Aside from being an economic giant, the town of Mariveles is also a tourist haven.

Located at the southern most point of the province, Mariveles has white sand beaches such as Talaga Beach which is situated on a cove and is ideal for snorkeling and the Balon Anito, a “dead volcano” frequently visited by tourists because of its therapeutic hot spring.

Historical landmarks also abound in the municipality, among them: a marker at Townsite, Cabcaben, the exact spot where American General Jonathan Wainwright surrendered to the Japanese forces during World War II and the Zero Kilometer Marker, where the infamous Death March began.

For the month-long celebration of Tourism and Kalakalan festival, activities undertaken include: singing and dancing contests; battle of the bands; income-generating activities like demonstration on lampshade making and sports competitions.