Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

War Zone

A reader of Madyaas Pen just drop by the office while I was preparing this column. He just came from Lezo, Aklan specifically at Akelco office.

He said, "I was scared as I entered the premises of Akelco to pay my latest electric bill". Why? There were about four (4) guards by the main gate in full uniform with long fire arms each. Moreover, there are also some scattered in the office. Akelco Lezo appears like a war zone".

My friend showed me his official receipt for his latest electric consumption. He said," I aid close to P1,500 but the amount paid and other figures printed in the official receipt are hardly readable. Maybe, Akelco computer printer lacks toner".

For all the strength and weaknesses at Akelco, credit it to management and National Electrification Administration (NEA). According to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Oriental Mindoro, electric cooperative Board of Directors are puppets of NEA.

P14 M Budget For Dinagyang

The organizer of the 2011 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival has appropriated P14 million to finance its staging on January 21 – 23, 2011.

How much is the budget of the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival scheduled on Januaryy 10 – 16, 2011? P2 million?

That is only 14.28 percent of Iloilo’s P14 million.

Aklan claims and it is so, that the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival is the mother of all festivals in the Philippines. How long can we sustain it?

Iloilo claims Dinagyang is the Philippines premiere world class festival.

Of the P14 million budget, 6 million will come from Iloilo City fund. The remaining P8 million will come from the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI). Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Ramon Cua Locsin, IDFI president assured they will deliver the fund.

How much will the Ati-Atihan town of Kalibo and KASAFI spend for the January 10 – 16 Ati-Atihan Festival?

Mayor Mabilog hopes the festival will continue to produce results, continue serving as a model festival in the Philippines and best practices for others to follow.

KASAFI and LGU Kalibo are yet to conceptualize what must the Aklanons expect in the staging of the annual Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival.

On the religious aspect, Father Secio emphasized "that the festival has become a useful part of our life, being a fully alive people with faith". He expressed hope that "the IDFI will continue to promote camaraderie and the country as the people of God and as an independent body with faith."

Mayor Mabilog plans to extend P500,000 to finance a selected project to the winning barangay or school in the Ati-Atihan contest.

Going Green

While the Dinagyang is also celebrated to inculcate values among the Ilonggos, it will also "go green" in the January 23-24 celebration.

Iloilo City Tourism officer Ben Jimena is working doubly hard to focus on pro environment activities and help save the earth initiatives to raise the participants’ level of awareness, the public and visitors. Jimena aims Dinagyang to be known also as the "Green Festival" in the Philippines to promote environmental awareness.

The Dinagyang Festival is officially kicked off on Monday, December 20 highlighted with the "Pamukaw". Cong. Gerry P. Treñas, Iloilo City’s Lone District graced the "Pamukaw". He did the first bang of the drum that marked the start of the annual merriment honoring Sr/ Sto. Niño. Dinagyang for the last 8 years has brought honors for Iloilo City, Treñas stressed. /MP