Engr. Marcial H. Arac
Building Bridges and Roads of Progress
by Ulysses V. Espartero
published in Panay News
Engr. Marcial Arac spent 45 years of his fruitful and meaningful life as a dedicated and committed official of the then Bureau of Public Works (BPH) now Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In all these years, he was left unnoticed by government officials, NGOs, GOs who took turns in recognizing his unparalleled achievements in the field of public service. At one time, DPWH Secretary named him one of the Top 12 Outstanding District Engineers in a selection process which practically covered cities and provinces all over the Philippines.
To be recognized was never his ambition for what he had in mind then was to shoot for the moon. When he was young, he told himself, “Even if one misses, he’ll land among the stars.”
Starting a bright career at BPH as Foreman and Surveyor in 1949 in Bohol Engineering District, he rose to become one of respected officials of DPWH. After serving Bohol for five years, he was promoted to the position of Civil Engineer of Romblon on March 1, 1955. His transfer to this island province was one of the satisfying moments in his life for it was in the province’s Sibuyan Island where he met the love of his life.
He married Lucila Leyson who was then a public elementary school teacher at San Fernando, a town of Romblon. Lucila is originally from Numancia, Aklan.
His 15 years of unblemished service in Romblon until March 30, 1970 was rewarded with his promotion as Assistant District Engineer.
He was then named OIC District Engineer of Aklan on April 1970. Two years after, he was promoted as Highway District Engineer on January 10, 1970 and served until September 15, 1975. In the span of three years, he made noteworthy achievements in the opening of feeder roads and bridges in the province’s remote areas notably in the far-flung barangays of Libacao, Madalag and Malinao.
But perhaps his greatest achievements to his adopted province of Aklan was the making of the Nabas-Caticlan Road passable by any kind of vehicle which in turn, opened the gates for the worlds to see the best kept secret beauty of Boracay Island. Needless to say, he was instrumental for opening the gates of Boracay to the world. Today, the island boasts of its Php12 billion tourism industry and regarded as the “Crown Jewel of the Philippine Tourism.”
Engr. Arac was, in fact, one of the first investors in Boracay. He constructed White Beach Cottages then made of nipa in 1972 which was transformed, renovated and now known as A-Rock Resort.
On September 16, 1975, he was transferred to Antique. For 15 months, he made sure the construction of 18 barangays, a remarkable feat which only a dedicated official can achieve.
He was assigned to the Cebu Second Engineering District in 1980 but only served for March 16-October 15 of that year because the provincial officials of Antique lobbied for his return. Finally, on October 16, 1986 he was re-assigned to Antique and served for another more or less six years until April 30, 1986.
He was transferred to Iloilo (May 1, 1986 to April 13, 1988) and Negros Occidental 2nd Engineering District (March 14, 1988 to May 23, 1989).
On April 1989, he took the initiative of organizing the 3rd Engineering District of Negros Occidental to compose the 6th Congressional District of said province with a firm belief that the NPA-infested area must be prioritized by the government by constructing infrastructure projects. Engr. Arac’s initiative was proven to bne fruitful with the opening of closed roads such as Candoni-Sipalay Road.
On September 28, 1994, Engr. Arac retired. His last post was at the Kabankalan District. Now, he happily lives with wife Lucila. Their children are all successful in their chosen career. They are Architect Lara Arac Salaver, Engr. Marlu Araca, chemist Pacita L. Sarabia, Atty. Nicolas Arac, entrepreneur Esteban Arac and resort manager Marcial Arac.
His way of life which has the inertia of public service has continued. Back in his wife’s hometownb of Numancia, he was elected President, Badio Senior Citizens Association, Badio Multi-Purpose Cooperative. He is deeply involved in the extension of the Holy Rosary Chapel of Badio and the construction of the Badio Senior Citizens Activity Center.
For his achievements, he was conferred the Outstanding Aklanon Award. He holds the distinction as the only non-Aklanon by birth who was bestowed with such an honor.
Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps, down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision. Good actions ennoble us, we are the sons of our own deeds. To the young generation, he says, “You're the only one who can make the difference. Whatever your dream is, go for it.”
published in Panay News
