Monday, August 13, 2007

Aklan Prepares For Alay Lakad 2007


By Venus G. Villanueva
The province of Aklan is scheduled to hold Alay Lakad on September 7 which falls on a Friday. This schedule was agreed upon by the different committee chairpersons including the yearly activity’s honorary chairperson, Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez.
The Alay Lakad is held every year nationwide in order to generate funds for out-of-school youth to fund skills training activities for them as well as to give them starting capital for their small business. Some young Aklan people are even assisted in their studies through the Alay Lakad funds.
This annual activity of Aklan is jointly participated by the local government of Kalibo, headed by Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo.
As with last year’s Alay Lakad which was also held on a Friday, the chair persons justified that holding it again on a Friday will enable the participants to have their rest for two days after the long dawn walk.
Previously, Aklan’s yearly Alay Lakads were held on a Sunday. However, starting Governor Marquez’ term, it agreed to hold it on a Monday so more people will be able to participate, including students and those employees living in far-flung hometowns. Later, suggestions were made to hold it on a Friday for the above-mentioned reason.
In the preparatory meetings for the 2007 Alay Lakad, Governor Marquez, Honorary Chairperson, challenged the committee chairpersons to make the walk livelier and employ new strategies so participants will stay after the walk and attend the program.
One attraction that the committees have added in the province’ previous Alay Lakad is the holding of a raffle with attractive and valuable prizes ranging from appliances, sacks of rice, cash, and groceries.
This year, Governor Marquez has pledged to contribute one refrigerator as one of the raffle prizes. More prizes are expected from other provincial officials and commercial establishments, according to Mrs. Elma Malbas, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and secretariat in the activity.
As in previous Alay Lakads, there will be three starting points – at the Kalibo Airport, Tigayon Elementary School and Camp Pastor Martelino.
This year’s Alay Lakad Over-All Chairperson is Hon. Gerick Templonuevo, President of Aklan Kalantiao Jaycees, a civic club in the province. Templonuevo is a member of the Sangguniang Panla-lawigan of Aklan. /MP

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