Ifugao’s Visit Promotes Close Ties With Aklan

by Cecille dela Rosa de Lemos

The Aklan Department of Health (DOH) technical representatives and some members of the Aklan Provincial Health Board led by Gov. Carlito S. Marquez welcomed the arrival of the delegation from Ifugao Province recently at the Conference Room, Provincial Capitol, Kalibo, Aklan.
Gov. Teodoro Baguilat, Jr. of Ifugao Province together with five (5) local chief executives, provincial health officer, chief of hospital, municipal health officers, provincial health nurses, SBs on health, tourism officer, and administrative officers, paid a courtesy call on Gov. Marquez in connection with their Observation Study Tour (OST) to Aklan Province.
In an after lunch remark, Gov. Marquez expressed his appreciation for the visit and the attention given to Aklan. The high-spirited governor Marquez described the province of Aklan in terms of health, tourism, expanding industry, thriving agriculture, and infrastructure facilities. Coming from the business sector, Marquez’ managerial and entrepreneurial ability saved the Aklanons from too much crisis. His articulateness and innate sense of humor, smile and laughter, almost brought the house down.
The Provincial Health Officer I, Dr. Victor A. Santamaria presented Aklan’s success story in bagging the Most Outstanding Provincial Health Board in Western Visayas in 2006 and in 2007.
Dr. Joseph Bulayungan, Provincial Health Officer I and focal person of the Ifugao delegation, introduced the group members.
A guided tour to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital, the legacy of Gov. Marquez and Cong. Miraflores was made. A guided exploration to Mangrove Reforestation site was also made. The area, comprising of several hectares, is converted into eco-tourism zone, known as Bakhawan Eco-Park located at New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan. The visitors explored the area by taking the eco-walk into the heart of the mangrove forest.
An Inception workshop between the Ifugao Province and the Southwestern Aklan Inter-local Health Zone IB was conducted at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall of Numancia, Numancia, Aklan. Mayor Elverita Templonuevo of Numancia who is vice-chairperson of SWA-ILHZ and Mayor Ramon S. Legaspi of Makato and chairman of SWA-ILHZ welcomed the delegation.
Dr. Rane Tabañar, municipal health officer of RHU- Makato and chairman of the technical working group-planning committee, presented the best practices of SWA-ILHZ, the Outstanding Inter-local Health Zone in Western Visayas for 3 consecutive years. The Pharmacy System, which aims to supply affordable medicines in the health zone and the nearby towns were given emphasis.
BIG Thank You to Dr. Arthur R. Malapit, Dentist III and Ms. Nuelia P. Zaldivar, HEPO who gave time to the Ifugao delegation Provincial Health Office. As secretary, of the Provincial Health Board, I acted as coordinator for that visit together with DOH technical Representatives Filipina Mabasa and Grace Ureta. /MP