“We Will Succeed”*

(Last of a series)

* State of the Province Address of Aklan of Governor Carlito S. Marquez delivered during the 4th Regular Session held in Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Capitol, Kalibo, Aklan on January 29, 2009.

Social Welfare and Development

Our PSWDO played a lead role in relief operations after typhoon Frank.
For the year 2008, the Department continued its work in the assessment of clients for the indigency programs of the provincial governor and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

A total of P741,121.20 were given to 541 indigents as financial assistance from the Provincial Governor’s office while the SP released P348,075 for 114 clients.

Under the emergency shelter assistance program, the PSWDO facilitated the release of checks from the National Disaster Coordinating Council for the families of those who died in the typhoon at P10,000 each and the injured at P5,000 each.

Forty-three (43) families from Kalibo received P50,000 each for a total of P2,150,000.

The provincial govern-ment through the PSWDO also allocated P250,000 each to the municipalities of Kalibo and Numancia from its calamity fund.
Under the early childhood care and development program, 50 percent or P3,892,633 of the project cost of P7,833,333 was disbursed to covered municipalities, namely, Altavas, Batan, Buruanga, Malinao, Libacao, and Malay for the implementation of both center and home-based programs.
Thank you, Mrs. Elma Malbas, provincial social welfare and development officer and staff!

The DSWD-Aklan assisted in the formulation of eleven (11) Sea-K (Self-employment Assistance Kaunlaran) associations with a total of 320 members and provided capital assistance in the amount of P1,600,000. These associations are spread out in the six municipalities: namely, Numancia, Malay, Ibajay, Nabas, Tangalan and Buruanga.

It facilitated the operationalization of 35 Tindahan Natin outlets in the province.

The office provided assistance to disaster victims who were rendered homeless by typhoon Senyang in the municipalities of Nabas and Malay in the total amount of P2.8 million through the core shelter assistance project. Each town has identified a resettlement site as their counterpart to accommodate the priori-tized 40 family beneficiaries. Likewise, the municipality of Kalibo was granted P2,150,000 for the construction of houses of 43 families whose houses were totally damaged by typhoon Frank and need to be resettled at barangay Tigayon.

It provided augment-ation for the resources of 2,013 families in seven municipalities through the emergency shelter assistance project in rebuilding their totally damaged houses caused by typhoon Frank at P10,000 per family in the total amount of P20,130,000. Provided cash for work as an immediate and temporary employment opportunity for typhoon affected families and at the same time restore or reconstruct public facilities and infrastructures of the heavily hit municipalities of Kalibo and Numancia. The program had accom-modated 535 heads of families to work in the reconstruction of several vital public facilities for a maximum of 10 working days with a total cost of P1,000,450.

The poor families of day care children in the municipalities of Libacao and Madlag were further provided one (1) kilo of NFA rice for thirty three (33) days benefiting a total of 1,867 children at the cost of P1,232,220. Thank you, Ms. Janet Calizo of DSWD and staff!

Rehabilitation of Prisoners

Our Aklan Rehabi-litation Center implemented a continuing program improvement of its facilities while repairing damages due to typhoon Frank, collapsed perimeter walls and ceiling.

Thank you, P/Supt. Cristito Angob, Provincial Warden and staff!

Peace and Order

This may not directly be a 2008 activity but allow me to congratulate here Police Senior Supt. Clarence Guinto, our Police Provincial Director, and Aklan Police Provincial Office, as a whole, including the police officers from other towns, for having maintained the peaceful, orderly, and generally, hustle-free celebration of Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2009. You will all agree with me that this year’s festivity was one of the most peaceful in many years.

For Senior Supt. Guinto who was assigned to Aklan only in November, 2008, the Ati-Atihan was an acid test. He and his men and women passed it with flying colors.

May I also take this opportunity to thank Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas for coordinating and approving reinforcements from our other police provincial offices.

For the year 2008, the peace and order situation in the province of Aklan remained manageable. The Aklan Police Provincial Office remains steadfast in its mandate of ensuring the safety and security of the Aklanon.
On campaign against illegal drugs/Loi Banat, the office conducted relentless campaign in coordination with other concerned agencies which resulted to 10 operations and the arrest of 12 suspects.

The average monthly crime rate was registered at 120 incidents per 100,000 populations with a crime solution efficiency of 80.92 percent.

Aklan, therefore, remains to be one of the most peaceful provinces in the country.

And as I have always intimated to our police, shall be so if we sustain our efforts in the elimination of illegal gambling, as illegal gambling is the root of crime and its social and economic costs are tremendous.

Thank you, PSSUPT. Clarence Guinto, Provincial Director and the PNP!

In the area of public safety and emergency management which covers disaster management and peace and order, action officer, retired police Maj. Paquito Saratiosa has continued the conduct in our 17 municipalities of trainings and seminars on disaster management, earthquake drills, search and rescue, geo-hazards, crisis management, disaster reporting, and drug abuse prevention in high schools, colleges, and universities.

For 2008, for the sixth time since 1996, our PDCC was adjudged the most outstanding in Region VI.

And would you believe that among disaster coordinating councils in Panay Island, only that of Aklan has an office? With a full-time action officer!
Congratulations and thanks to Maj. Paquito Saratiosa and staff!

May I also acknowledge here the services of Retired Col. Rex Martelino and Engr. Josefino Curioso of our Security Services and Public Utilities Regulation Office, respectively, who may not be in the limelight, who are almost invisible, but who, nevertheless, play crucial roles in our administration of the province.

Future Plans and Programs

The provincial govern-ment of Aklan is crafting a comprehensive blueprint to ensure our effective and immediate implementation of "high impact" projects to cushion the adverse effects of the global economic crisis.

We should hit the ground running for 2009. In the pipeline are our pump priming projects such as construction and improve-ment of infrastructure facilities, agricultural product-ivity enhancement support, rural extension work, tourism support services , livelihood opportunities, among others so that we can create more jobs and rev up the economy, especially in the countryside. Thus, we have lined up for 2009, priority projects to be financed by the province, the national government, and the private investors in the estimated amount of P1.525 billion expected to generate employment of 12,628 skilled and unskilled labor.

As part of our rehabilitation efforts under the task force Bangon Aklan, we envision to reclaim approximately 100 has. of foreshore property along the shoreline of Bachao Norte, Kalibo from the dredged materials along the silted river beds of Aklan river estimated to cost P800 million to complement the DPWH proposed Aklan river protection works and to be funded from the Paglaum Funds. The proposed project will generate employment/opportunities to some 800 Aklanon workers.

The province of Aklan is in a position to contribute as well as benefit immensely from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s call to front-load infra-structure projects.

Boracay forecasts one million tourist arrivals per year by 2010 but can hardly accommodate the present influx of around 600,000 local and foreign tourists. The existing pier is undersized, and does not conform to international standards. It is over its maximum operating capacity due to the large number of foreign visitors. This pier should be a major artery in the RORO route but with the present set-up it is incapable of servicing additional sea vessels. However, small and over-utilized, this jetty port is still managed to provide annual revenues to the province in the amount of P77 million. The sheer number of users alone, not including the potential increase in revenues, should be the stimulus for the local government to build bigger and better harbor facilities.

The health and wellness center is a welcome complement to the government’s thrust in attracting 700,000 foreign and medical clients annually which hopes to achieve P1 billion revenues. This is a new market apart from the recreational tourists who visit Boracay on a regular basis. With this development, the province will be attracting two distinct markets of equal number and value in the same location.

The cable car facilities will not only enhance the transport system but will also be a tourist destination in itself attracting tourists from all over the archipelago and nearby Asian counties.

The proposed Marina project is estimated to cost P500 million and will involve land reclamation, pier expansion, building a 100-room hotel and wellness center. The cable car transport system will be undertaken on a build operate transfer basis. For every P1 million spent on this project usually 30 percent goes to labor cost. This will significantly help provide job opportunities for the locals and pump prime the local economy. The improved pier facilities will accommodate a bigger volume of land and sea vessels and provide docks for visiting yachts. This will greatly increase the terminal fee revenues from the present level of P77 million per year. The upgraded and new facilities will also enhance the competitive-ness of the area in attracting tourists.

The wellness center, will complement the hotel facilities. The Philippines is known for its warm hospitality, state-of-the-art medical and wellness facilities, management expertise and excellent care-giving services. Numerous wellness centers have sprouted all over the Philippines in recent years including those in Subic and Clark. Developing such a facility in Aklan will further boost its tourism figures by providing visitors with a rare opportunity of recreation and medical wellness. It is expected that the revenues that will be generated by the building of such facilities will far outweigh the investment costs for these projects. It is envisioned that the provincial government will provide the facilities and to be operated/managed by the private sector on a lease contract agreement.
It is estimated that the revenue that can be generated on a 5-year program, from 2009 will reach P280 million per annum by 2013, thus making the province a billionaire, by the time.

Mga igmanghud ag ginikanan natong Akeanon, raya ro atong gintinguhaan ko dag-ong nagtaliwan. Hasandad kita it sangkiri sa typhoon Frank ag napangitan-aw naton ro pasaka pa gid nga baeaktasan tongod ko krisis sa ekonomiya ko bilog nga kalibutan, ogaling baktason ta, daeaganon ta, para maabot ro atong damgo nga kabuganaan para sa tanan.

This is what we have done in the year past and what we plan to do, God willing, in the future.

And despite the disasters and the worldwide economic crisis, we intend to persevere because I believe that with all of us working together for the ultimate dream of prosperity for all, we will overcome.

As long as we are united, as long as our leaders are one in the task of developing our beloved province, we will succeed.

Allow me to express my profound gratitude to the officers and staff of the provincial governor’s office led by our Administrator, Atty. Diego Luces, our legal officer, Atty. Lee Manares, and the workhorse in the PGO’s office, our Assistant Provincial Administrator, Mr. Roque Matoress for all his most important inputs and wisdom in the planning and execution of our programs and projects. Likewise, our lavish appreciation to the continuing, collective and effective support of all sectors of the Aklan Community have extended to this administration. From the constituencies of our remotest barangays, to our municipalities and national agencies, our NGO’s and civic clubs, we have found cooperation – born out of their genuine desire to contribute to the attainment of our development goals. It is heartwarming to note that Aklanons and their non-Aklanon friends – living elsewhere – either here, Manila or abroad, have manifested their abiding concern for Aklan through services, donations and the conduct of medical missions – disaster or no disaster.

May we continue to work together – as unity and cooperation are the important factors that can offset our province’s inherent deficiency in resources. Do not be afraid of competition for competition is not only healthy but enhances quality. Quality of product, quality of service. Competition is the stepping stone in the attainment of our goals – a dynamic, economically stable and progressive Aklan!

Thank you Vice Governor Billie Calizo; Hon. Selwyn Ibarreta; Hon. Pedro Garcia; Jose Yap; Gerick Templonuevo; Hon. Ramon Gelito; Hon. Nemesio Neron; Hon. Daisy Briones; Hon. Plaridel Morania; Hon. Rodson Mayor; Hon. Jean Rodriguez; Hon. Wilbert Ariel Igoy; Hon. Teody Masangya; Hon. Jun Rey Tordecillas; and thank you Sangguniang Panlalawigan Secretary Odon Bandiola and all the SP staff!

Good day and God Bless us all! /MP