The Progressing Libacao
A part of the brief history of Libacao, Aklan states: “The people of Libacao takes pride in the little tales that make up the town’s history. The tales of bravery of ‘Tarin’, a native who dared the Spaniards, despite of inferior arms for want of liberty, the mythical silver bell in the deepest basin of Hagakhak in the Aklan river and the miracle of patron saint, Saint Catherine of Alexandria to save the town from ravage by the bandits.”
Among the early Malay settlers in Aklan were spouses Pagharion and Maria Obo-ob and their son Malangga who settled in Ageangka, a place called today as barangay Guadalupe, once the seat of government of Datu Kabanyag, the ruler of Aklan. To protect themselves against the invading bandits and to save their farm products, Pagharion upon the request of the people, looked for a new site and established a “minuro” or community which we call today “Libacao”.
Maria Obo-ob is honored today with a short road – Obo- ob Street, but unfortunately the road is a subject of dispute between two families.
Today, Libacao is a fourth class municipality, a classification made based upon its annual income. Its total land area is one sixth (1/6) of the total area of Aklan province, a combination of mountainous terrains, interspersed by valleys, creeks, upland and lowland farms. The soil is very fertile with climate very conducive to the production of livestock and poultry, rice, vegetables, fruits and root crops among others.
It is rich with natural resources like minerals and forest products. Libacao is a place of beauty with rivers of clear, cascading water. Its river if only developed will generate electricity for Aklan and irrigate the farms to produce more food for the Aklanons with more surplus to sell. Waterfalls in Libacao are places to behold and enjoy. However, among the 17 municipalities of Aklan, Libacao is the least developed.
Libacao is only 29 kilometers away from the capital town of Kalibo but to reach its Poblacion takes about one (1) hour drive in a private car via the winding gravel road. While in Libacao, there is no exit point but go back to Banga or Kalibo. Libacao is adjacent to Jamindan, Capiz; Lambunao, Iloilo and even Antique, yet it is difficult to go to those places. There is no road that connects Libacao to those provinces.
But don’t look now for Libacao is on its way to development and is ready to overtake some towns in Aklan. It may overtake even Banga the beautiful. Libacao is fast developing its tourism industry. It has started intensified shipping to Kalibo its abaca fiber at an average of 30 metric tons a week. The Libacao Public Market is filled up with people selling and buying goods. There are brisk sales of native products like root crops and fruits especially on Thursdays during market day.
Indeed, Libacao is finding its way to prosperity. Lead by its Honorable Mayor Charito I. Navarosa, Libacao today is as peaceful as desired, its people in pursuit of success and contentment. In the words of Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, “Libacao has made successful strides in the areas of agriculture development, social services and peace and order. Where once…Libacao as one of the depressed municipalities, its recent succession of leaders have slowly but surely raised the town to a higher level of progress and development”.
To the Libacaonons, as you celebrate your Municipal and Religious Fiesta on November 24 and 25 in honor of Saint Catherine of Alexandria may you will always be guided on the way to real peace, development and progress. /MP
Among the early Malay settlers in Aklan were spouses Pagharion and Maria Obo-ob and their son Malangga who settled in Ageangka, a place called today as barangay Guadalupe, once the seat of government of Datu Kabanyag, the ruler of Aklan. To protect themselves against the invading bandits and to save their farm products, Pagharion upon the request of the people, looked for a new site and established a “minuro” or community which we call today “Libacao”.
Maria Obo-ob is honored today with a short road – Obo- ob Street, but unfortunately the road is a subject of dispute between two families.
Today, Libacao is a fourth class municipality, a classification made based upon its annual income. Its total land area is one sixth (1/6) of the total area of Aklan province, a combination of mountainous terrains, interspersed by valleys, creeks, upland and lowland farms. The soil is very fertile with climate very conducive to the production of livestock and poultry, rice, vegetables, fruits and root crops among others.
It is rich with natural resources like minerals and forest products. Libacao is a place of beauty with rivers of clear, cascading water. Its river if only developed will generate electricity for Aklan and irrigate the farms to produce more food for the Aklanons with more surplus to sell. Waterfalls in Libacao are places to behold and enjoy. However, among the 17 municipalities of Aklan, Libacao is the least developed.
Libacao is only 29 kilometers away from the capital town of Kalibo but to reach its Poblacion takes about one (1) hour drive in a private car via the winding gravel road. While in Libacao, there is no exit point but go back to Banga or Kalibo. Libacao is adjacent to Jamindan, Capiz; Lambunao, Iloilo and even Antique, yet it is difficult to go to those places. There is no road that connects Libacao to those provinces.
But don’t look now for Libacao is on its way to development and is ready to overtake some towns in Aklan. It may overtake even Banga the beautiful. Libacao is fast developing its tourism industry. It has started intensified shipping to Kalibo its abaca fiber at an average of 30 metric tons a week. The Libacao Public Market is filled up with people selling and buying goods. There are brisk sales of native products like root crops and fruits especially on Thursdays during market day.
Indeed, Libacao is finding its way to prosperity. Lead by its Honorable Mayor Charito I. Navarosa, Libacao today is as peaceful as desired, its people in pursuit of success and contentment. In the words of Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, “Libacao has made successful strides in the areas of agriculture development, social services and peace and order. Where once…Libacao as one of the depressed municipalities, its recent succession of leaders have slowly but surely raised the town to a higher level of progress and development”.
To the Libacaonons, as you celebrate your Municipal and Religious Fiesta on November 24 and 25 in honor of Saint Catherine of Alexandria may you will always be guided on the way to real peace, development and progress. /MP
No comments:
Post a Comment