Entrepreneurial Farmer

By Ambrosio R. Villorente

Aklan’s SP New Composition

Beginning July 1, 2007, the Aklan Sang-guniang Panlalawigan (SP) will have a revised composition as a result of the May 14 local election. The presiding officer will be Vice Governor elect Gabrielle V. Calizo. She comes from Kusog, a local party. The 10 regular members are composed of six from Tibyog and four from Kusog/AIM coalition.
These three ex-officio members are representatives of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL), sangguniang kabataan (SK) and association of barangay councils (ABC). Of the ex-officio members, Hon. Franklin Quimpo of the PCL will be replaced by a new representative who will probably come from Tibyog.
The July 2007 – June 2010 Aklan SP will have a 9 – 4 Tibyog – Kusog/AIM combination presided by a Kusog/AIM vice governor. This will be a different SP Aklan compared with SP Aklan 2004 – 2007 which was presided by Tibyog vice governor and a 10 – 3 Tibyog – Kusog/AIM SP members composition.
Common Objectives
Tibyog and the coalition of Kusog/AIM had the same direction for the development and progress of Aklan which is to improve the living condition of the Aklanons. The two however, differs in the mode of implementation. Tibyog has embarked on its economic enterprise development and effected the increase of real estate tax to generate more money to finance its poverty alleviation program and education.
In health management, Tibyog improved the building of the DRSTMH and worked for the 100 percent PhilHealth coverage under its indigency program. In agriculture, Governor Carlito S. Marquez embarked on abaca production, hybrid rice program, livestock and poultry and mango production. It has approved ordinance that mandated the creation of the Aklan Rivers System Development Council. It authorizes the studies, drafting and implementation of projects in the Aklan rivers system.
But the Kusog/AIM coalition, while it recognized there is progress, the progress is moving on a snail speed. According to Vicky Ramos – Billie Calizo tandem, "there is lack of livelihood and income opportunities; lack of public infrastructure, lack of public health facilities and services and lack of educational facilities.
Kusog/AIM envisions to solve this unemployment problem through tie-up with local and international private sector groups for employment like the United Philippine Lines and Godofredo P. Ramos Foundation. It will harness and utilize all available government resources to promote livelihood and employment generation projects.
Kusog envisions to construct farm-to-market roads to connect food production areas to the national highway, to the market which will motivate farmers, fisherfolks to produce more, reduce cost of production, increase production and supply consumers with high quality products.
In the field of health management, Vicky/Billie were not contented of the P139 million hospital DRSTMH building and the 100 PhilHealth coverage in the indigency program. They proposed to "upgrade existing public health facilities and services, provide adequate continuing support to maintain a standard of service necessary for Aklanons, …secure health service professionals to augment the pre-sent…health service staff…and provide low cost housing to those modern day heroes who serve our people."
Vicky Ramos/Billie Calizo team envisioned to "build modern school buildings complete with education facilities, training centers,…the upgrading of teachers’ and a realistic economic and social benefits programs for their…services" like housing, health care system and livelihood support program for additional income.
Another issue Kusog/AIM team brought to the people during the election is the abrupt and high increase of real estate tax. The Kusog/AIM coalition vowed to reduce if not totally stop the collection of this realty tax increases. Moreover, it also promised to work until the Electric Power Purchase Agreement between Akelco and Mirant Global is finally declared by the court null and void.
EXCITING SP SESSION
To many, the issues Kusog/Aim brought were listened to by the people. The Kusog/AIM vice governor won over Tibyog and also won 3-2 for SP members, eastern side and one of its two candidates won for SP, western side. For a political observer, this is a 50-50 victory for Tibyog and Kusog/AIM. To think that Kusog/AIM is in the opposition with very limited resources and disadvantaged machinery, the victory is more for Kusog/AIM which has nill incumbent mayor except in Balete. Mayor Charito Navarosa of Libacao and mayor Ramon Legaspi, Jr. of Makato who both won with Kusog had deserted Kusog. Mayor Romeo Dalisay who won the election in 2004 with AIM likewise deserted AIM. All the three renounced their allegiance with Kusog and AIM respectively and took their oaths with Tibyog.
However, Aklanons can expect a more interesting, objective and frank discussions of matters during SP sessions. With the presence of Hon. Rodson Mayor, Hon. Nemesio P. Neron, Hon. Ramon Gelito of Kusog/AIM and Hon. Morania of Tibyog, "wind velocity" there will be fireworks every session. There will be session which will be reasonably calm, unwieldy and stormy.
The presiding officer, vice governor Billie V. Calizo will enforce the parliamentary rules and order. Hon. Jean Rodriguez and Hon. Daisy Sucro Briones will be there to promote love, camaraderie and nobleness. Hon. Plaridel Morania and Hon. Selwyn Ibarreta will answer the bombs from Kusog/AIM.
It is expected that there will be objective discussion of all matters. This will be good for the Aklanons. They will be best informed of matters closely associated with their everyday lives with transparent and objective discussions both in the committee meetings and in the sessions.
UNITED LEADERSHIP
The effectiveness of the United Leadership of Aklan will be in perilous path starting July 1, 2007. Will Gov. Carlito S. Marquez decide matters by himself? Will he allow Kusog/AIM to share in deciding matters? This will be hard because Vice Gov. Gabrielle V. Calizo presides the SP which approves plans and especially budget.
As advanced by Hon. Rodson Mayor, his first act in the SP is to file resolution or ordinance suspending the implementation of provincial ordinance which increased the real estate tax. Will Mayor master enough votes in the SP to approve resolution/ordinance suspending the effectivity of that stated ordinance? If he got approval of such resolution in the SP, will Gov. Marquez sign it for approval? Will he veto it? If vetoed, will the Aklan SP override the veto? This is one proposal that is very interesting to watch. /MP