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The major sector of Aurora Province's economy is agriculture with production area that covers 10.33% of the total land area of the province which is equal to 33,473.12 hectares. While it is highly devoted to rice production, it is followed by coconut plantation and diversified crops; inland fisheries or fishponds utilizes the rest of the agricultural land. The province's prime agricultural land is able to sustain 62% of its population's dependence  from food and income sources.

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Different historical sights and natural wonders in Baler, Aurora.

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Tourism in the province has peaked since 2014 mostly in the capital town of Aurora, the birthplace of Philippine Surfing - Baler. It has been known to home great professional surfers and be a place for beginners to enjoy as well. Besides, surfing it presents a wide range of activities for both adventure and nature appreciation on land and water. Surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, mountain climbing, bird watching and trekking are only some of the activities a tourist can enjoy.

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Freestyle surfer catching waves on the birthplace of Philippine Surfing - Baler, Aurora.

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The Province of Aurora is located at the Mid-Eastern Luzon Seaboard, surrounded by the lush and untouched mountain ranges of Sierra Madre and beautiful Philippine Sea. It has its share of historical sights such as the home and rest house of former President Manuel L. Quezon. The province also houses beautiful Catholic churches and picturesque waterfalls, lush forests and panoramic beaches. Aurora has a total land area of 323,954 hectares, representing 1% of the country's total land area. As it covers the eastern portion of Sierra Madre, flat lands are unevenly distributed through these eight municipalities, namely, Baler, Casiguran , Dilasag , Dinalungan , Dingalan , Dipaculao , Maria Aurora , San Luis.

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According to the official government website of Aurora, the increase of the population of Aurora from 214,336 in year 2015 to projected population 247,615 in year 2027.

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Generally, Aurora has a rugged terrain due to the mountain range of Sierra Madre. Categorizing into three major landforms (Alluvial landscape, Foothill landscape and Mountain landscape), the foothills are dissected into various alluvial valleys which further descends into the coastal plains. The province has four thriving ecosystems including forestland, agriculture, coastal and marine. It provides exceptional resources for its locals.

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While Baler is famous for surfing, the municipal of Dingalan has white sand beaches that attracts tourists year round. However, the usual falls, mountain view and vast sea that can be seen in the rest of the province, Dingalan is known for drift wood. Coming form the mountain, trunks and branches come down the river dividing Dingalan and Quezon province, the locals collect and segregate drift wood along the shores as one of their livelihood besides fishing and coconut plantation.

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As beneficial as it is for the environment and ecosystems that Aurora remains preserved, the lack of infrastructures poses a threat in maintaining good health and well-being for the citizens of this province.

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The latest health status update was conducted in 2018 by the Field Health Service Information System and over the 3,240 km² area of Aurora Province and it's 8 municipalities, only 5 hospitals are acknowledged by the LGU in attending to the medical needs of the province. Aurora Memorial Hospital in Baler, Casiguran District Hospital, Maria Aurora Community Hospital and Dingalan Community Hospital are the four out of five hospitals run by the provincial government of Aurora.

In addition to hospital care, barangay health stations supports multiple public health programs of DOH. However, it is not enough to cover the whole area of the province, assuming that the rest of the health facilities available are private and seated in the core of the bayans in each towns. There is also the lack of functional ambulances, hospital beds, sanitary inspectors and health care professionals in the previously mentioned hospitals.

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Partnering with private sectors, NGOs, DSWD and OPSWD in expanding the reach of the existing programs and services, the provincial government can provide a more responsive and inclusive health system. This is not limited to building new hospitals and barangay health stations but it also includes medical necessities, proportionate ratio of population to healthcare workers and proper dissemination of information.

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In the agricultural industry of Aurora Province, its major threat are natural disasters such as typhoons and flooding. Conversely, another problem of the province is underdeveloped road ways. The transport of harvest crops and other raw materials such as drift wood and coco lumber, has always been challenging for the locals. Not only that, crossing rivers and creaks just to reach the bayan cost much effort, energy and time to be able to access food, fuel and healthcare; therefore, the Dumagats (natives of Aurora Province) and other residents uphill are the affected population of poor rural road connectivity.

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Dingalan Road in Brgy. Matawe, Dingalan, Aurora

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A study was conducted in 2021 regarding the effects of infrastructure investments on services and wholesale/retail productivity and in that paper shows how infrastructure plays an essential role in the growth and development of a country. Furthermore, it gives highlight on the micro and macroeconomic benefits that can be appreciated in the short run and long run by promoting market access, decreased barriers and allowing innovation.

Therefore, this deprivation of infrastructure linked with SDG 3 means that despite the additional health centers or hospitals, if the people would have to exert a great deal of effort just to reach these facilities, it can be expected that these people would not seek medical interventions unless faced with life or death situations.

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PPP-DSWD partnership has been reliable in creating roads and bridges for the Filipino people to prosper and enjoy comfortable ways of living. This should not be restricted to Metro cities alone and should progress to various remote areas like Aurora Province and other provinces in the Philippines.

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Hermoso, J. C., Sadang, J. M., Evangelista, N. C., & Rosete, M. A. (2021). The effects of infrastructure investments on services and wholesale/retail productivity: A panel-data evidence from the Philippines. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 6(12), 233–246. https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v6i12.1186

Provincial Health Office. Provincial Government of Aurora. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2022, from https://aurora.gov.ph/government/provincial-offices/provincial-health-office/

Socio-Economic Profile. Provincial Government of Aurora. (n.d.). Retrieved March 6, 2022, from https://aurora.gov.ph/about/aurora-at-a-glance/socio-economic-profile/

United Nations. (n.d.). The 17 goals | sustainable development. United Nations. Retrieved March 6, 2022, from https://sdgs.un.org/goals