Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

Roxas Graces Religious Festival,
Pushes Panay Dev’t Meets Local Officials

Senator Mar Roxas graced the biggest festival in the country on January 18 in honor of the Sr. Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan.
“The vibrancy of Philippine culture is hallmarked in this celebration. It shows how our people, despite trying and desperate times, hold on to their faith and celebrate life,” he said.
“They give us a chance to engage with our kababayans: to celebrate their joys and their passions with them, and even to be with them in their lowest moments,” Roxas, the Liberal party President, said.
Roxas also took advantage of the opportunity to consult with the local leaders on the formulation of the Panay Development Agenda. The Senator arrived in Kalibo Saturday morning with former Senate President Franklin Drilon. With Governor Carlito S. Marquez, Congressman Joeben T. Miraflores and former Congressman Allen S. Quimpo, they met the Aklan Tri-Media members in a presscon where Roxas discussed his candidacy for President in the 2010 presidential election under the Liberal Party.
Among others, Roxas was asked about his positions on the Zero VAT on oil, the USFAA Downgrading of NAIA, Cheaper Medicines Bill, the JPEPA and the Liberal Party Dispute.
Roxas wanted to give the Filipinos a break by allowing them not to pay VAT. VAT collection must be suspended and allow the people to spend their own money instead of the government spending it for them in this trying times. VAT on oil was approved at the time when crude oil cost US$30 per barrel, now it is $100, Roxas pointed out.
Sen Roxas, on FAA advisory expressed deep concern saying “it had implications on travel, tourism and investments.” He revealed, he filed a Senate Resolution on the FAA advisory in order to institute corrective measures.
On the Japan–Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), “the non ratification of it would mean the exclusion of the Philippines from the free trade between Japan and members of the Association of Asian Nations which will soon be formalized in a few months,” Roxas said.
In the Cheaper Medicines Bill, Roxas revealed, “the Senate and the House of Representatives are on track to passing it with most of the provisions of the bill agreed on between both chambers even prior to a bicameral conference committee hearing to the measure”.
On the Liberal Party dispute, Roxas reiterated that the Supreme Court of the Philippines had long resolved with finality that the election held by . . . had been against the party’s constitution and was declared invalid. “There is only one Liberal Party and that is the Liberal Party Senator Roxas is heading,” former Senate President Franklin Drilon pointed out.
After the luncheon presscon, Roxas and Drilon met with Governor Marquez, Congressman Miraflores, 17 municipal mayors of Aklan, some vice mayors, sangguniang panlalawigan and bayan members, and other political leaders of Aklan. The meeting over, Roxas and Drilon with Aklan leaders joined the Sadsad in Poblacion, Kalibo specifically around Pastrana Park. Roxas left Kalibo late in the afternoon while Drilon stayed until Sunday and attended the field mass held at Pastrana Park celebrated by Bishop Romeo O. Lazo of the Diocese of Kalibo.

Ati-atihan Future Plans

It was unfortunate that even on the Ati-Atihan week and few days before its culmination day, unpalatable words were exchanged in the airlanes. There was a threat from a concerned group to boycott the Sr. Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan.
Mr. Albert Meñez of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Tourism Council issued a stern warning to remove the commercials mounted all over Pastrana Park. The seemingly unfavorable taste of the Coca Cola commercials all over Poblacion, Kalibo irritated several Aklanons even when Aklan Catholic College was also decorated with several Pepsi streamers.
Will the Catholic church lead the way toward a diminished commercialism in the Sr. Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival? Better still if the church can lead the way in zero commercials in all religious festivals.

Financial Report

The 2008 Sr. Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival is over. Will Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo be able to submit a credible financial report as early as possible? By doing so, malicious imputation will be highly minimized if not stopped. He may reveal the total income and the total expenses of the festival. He will comply with the mandate of giving his constituents access to information, the people has the right to know.
He now can start the 2009 festival preparation by strengthening the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Management Board to which he can entrust the planning with Mayor Rebaldo to approve and spearhead its implementation. /MP