by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM
Picture above shows guests of the Kapehan sa Aklan on April 11 who are (l to r) PAPI Pres. Johnny P. Dayang, Kalibo SB member Mark V. Quimpo, ACC Dean Manolita Acevedo, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Mijares discussing the theme, "The Significance of Death and Resurrection of Christ", and Atty. Florencio Gonzales.
Engr. Roger Esto, Prov’l. Planning and Development Coordinator was the lone guest of Kapehan Sa Aklan on April 4, 2009. He discussed the 53rd anniversary celebration preparation. Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino in his opening statement, cited pertinent objectives as way to assess significant strides achieved over time in socio-economic, cultural, scientific and technological fields. RA 1414 authored by then Cong. Godofredo P. Ramos formally separated Aklan from its mother province of Capiz on April 25, 1956.
The theme of the 11 day event is "Creating Oppor-tunities in Adversity." This is a resounding call for taking positive action to reverse disastrous economic down-turn and the impact of typhoon Frank. The recovery can be in implementing cost effective productivity enhancement technologies available from academe and research institutions. Filipinos are known to be resilient and able to survive both in tough and best of times.
There is passionate appeal for Gov. Marquez’ grassroots poverty alleviation referring to his catchwords: "Owa’t ginaga-id sa kapobrehan" and "Suk-ean ro kapobrehan." Public perception is diametrically opposed to high stakes infra development like Nursing and Hospital building and Calangcang Sports complex rather than investing on employment generation activities like processing of traditional raw materials from abaca, coconut, fish, and others into high end products for exports market.
In his SOPA on January 29, 2009 incremental employment for directly and indirectly impacted projects fell short by 30 percent because of typhoon Frank. In addition, lack of medical drugs in hospital pharmacy stockroom deemed vital to health and recovery of patients while getting expensive products from outside sources are fueling serious concerns over inability of LGU’s to respond to the needs of poverty stricken families.
Others feel innovation is key to expedite economic recovery. Whatever slogan it is of Cable News Network can be appropriate enough: Navigate, Survive and Thrive. It should be noted that Aklan was on its knees after typhoon Frank did heavy collateral damages on June 21, 2008.
Highlighting the celebration is the prestigious Outstanding Aklanon award that covers 12 categories. The Search Committee started a month ago and will announce the awardees two weeks before actual award ceremonies on April 25. This mechanism hopes to avert lapses as concerned citizens give vital background info about a choice nominee. Indeed the task of selecting from among dozens of candidates are daunting challenges since awardee would be looked up to as paragons of excellence whose lifetime works are worthy of emulation and inspiration for others.
Major events include intergovernmental sportsfest to start April 13, skills training on April 17, chess tournament on April 18, mountain bike race on April 19, opening of agro-industrial fair on April 20, launching and deployment of artificial corral reefs on April 21, Concert at the Park on April 22, Ornamental Garden Show on April 23, Dog Show/Prov’l. employees dance competition on April 24, Thanksgiving Mass, Civic Military Parade, Award Ceremonies for Outstanding Aklanons, Regreening and Beautification Contest on April 25 and Fiesta bonanza, closing/awarding ceremonies of floats, one town-one product and booths on April 26.
On the Other hand, allocation of P1.7 billion for Aklan under the "Bangon Panay Fund" is under Congress deliberation. The money is intended for construction of flood control project on Aklan river deemed critical to towns of Kalibo and Numancia. Unusual delay however in approval and release of funds draw ire of Atty. Allen S. Quimpo, Executive Director, Aklan Rivers Development Council and Action Officer of Task Force Bangon Aklan. Quimpo believes less talk and more action is essential in this economic recovery efforts. "There should be a time frame if one is serious enough," he stressed.
Meanwhile, Engr. Esto revealed the Prov’l. government of Aklan plans to buy light marine transport of Engr. Jonathan Salvador of New Washington, Akan to be fitted with dredging equipment and accessories for desilting shallow riverbeds. This will prevent or minimize disastrous floodwaters and reclaim shallow portion of the delta in Bakhaw Norte.
Suggestive questions asked to our provincial administrators are: Does local economic stimulus spending include human resource development? Is concrete fortification and dredging operation guarantee that flashfloods of June 21 typhoon Frank magnitude be a thing of the past? 3. Since nearby hills and mountains are bald and riverbeds system heavily silted, will infra development be centered in the vicinity of Poblacion, Kalibo and Bulwang, Numancia? 4. Are the locals be given preferential treatment in construction projects rather than outsiders brought in by winning bidders based from other provinces? 5. Will a greater portion of the P1.7 billion be spent on reforestation and conservation measures to employ thousands of Aklanons and mitigate global warming?
RHU Implements Inter-local Health Zone
Delivery of primary health care services was a hot topic at the recent weekly Kapehan forum. Invited guests were Drs. Jocelyn T. Garcia and Melanie V. Tolentino of Rural Health Unit (RHU), Kalibo. They discussed the implemen-tation of Interlocal Health Zone in support to the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008. The strategy use is to divide the province into three geographic areas under a lead catchments area which are Eastern Aklan local health zone (Kalibo), Northwest (Buruanga), and Southwest (Ibajay).
Based on the operational plan, P150,000 shall be contributed by each participating local govern-ment unit, the common fund to be used to purchase quality but affordable medicines. The drug prescription is either done by government physician or private practitioner. It can be sourced at the nearest Babalikan Pharmacy located at RHU lead interlocal health zone.
Accessibility would drastically cut expenses and travel time critical for survival and well being of patients. It is known that some remote barangays are not connected to well pave roads and bridges, hence the cogent reason for everyone’s support.
At the barangay level, former Botika sa Barangay will be revived with financial and training input from Dept. of Health (DOH). Requirements are simple to comply: Barangay Council resolution and letter of intent addressed to Regional Director, DOH, Iloilo City. On stream is P20,000 worth of assorted medicines for sale at reasonable cost to families payable on cash and carry basis. Local Barangay Health Workers shall be tapped to dispense drugs after completion of a short term training by DOH.
Atty. Allen S. Quimpo recalled that he had serious reservation about DOH being devolved to LGU’s without corresponding budgetary appropriation in place. This is the reason why medical supplies at Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital do not come up to optimum standard being a second level referral hospital.
On the other hand, Atty. Jose Soñing Tumbokon was impressed by the P142 million hospital building, a loan of Aklan from Land Bank of the Philippines. Definitely, road to good health and long life depend on generous consumption of home grown fruits and vegetables like papaya, bananas, camote tops, alugbate, tomatoes, egg-plant, and others. /MP
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