Kapehan Discusses Aklan Legislative Agenda

Kapehan resource persons (l to r) Hon. Jose Yap, Vice Gov. Gabrielle V. Calizo, Hon. Plaridel Morania and Hon. Rodson Mayor.

Aklan tri-media led by Aklan Press Club president Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente during the Kapehan

In the first year of their term (2007-2010), the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Aklan has conducted 150 committee and public hearings in order to formulate and approve landmark provincial legislations. This is strongly stressed by its presiding officer, vice governor Gabrielle V. Calizo. Beside the provincial ordinances and resolutions, SP Aklan is also conducting the review and approval of ordinances and resolutions from Aklan’s 17 towns.
Vice Gov. Calizo was joined by Hon. Jose Yap, Hon. Plaridel M. Morania and Hon. Rodson Mayor in last Saturday, June 7 Kapehan sa Aklan held at Kusina Restaurant. Hon. Teody Masangya, Sr. begged off from joining the Kapehan due to prior commitment. The nine (9) other members of the Aklan SP did not respond to the invitation.
To conserve soil fertility and protect the environment, SP Aklan has approved into law banning the burning of rice straw and other farm waste. It has also approved the ordinance which condones the payment of interest and penalties on real property taxes from the years 1985 to 2007.
According to Vice Gov. Calizo, SP Aklan is about to approve the Environmental Code after a long, painstaking studies designed to protect, conserve, develop and improve a balance ecology. SP Aklan is also about to approve the "Tourism Code" that will enhance sustainable, progressive, profitable and pro Aklanon tourism in Aklan. The codification of provincial ordinances is nearing completion, the installation of state of the art facilities on the SP offcies is also in progress designed to enhance quality legislative output.
Agriculture as the twin program with tourism of Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, provincial government is admittedly weak. Vice Governor Calizo and Hon. Morania, chair of Agriculture Committee assured the Kapehan to pay attention to it so as to promote provincial food sufficiency and push up Aklanon farmers to benefit more from tourism program. It was admitted the foods sold in Boracay such as vegetables and fruits, eggs, beef and chicken meat and other food stuffs come from other provinces. /MP