Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

MAFIA Interference?

The latest information received from Las Vegas, Nevada concerning the boxing bout between Manny Pacquiao versus Tim Bradley, Jr. reveals the fight was fixed because of the alleged interference of the US MAFIA. It was either Pacquiao who withheld his punches or members of his family maybe kidnapped. Another probability was the influence of MAFIA over the judges.

Environmental Fee

In the Ati-Atihan town of Kalibo, the bright boys of the Sangguniang Bayan has proposed to collect Environmental Fee from all people who visits Aklan passing by Kalibo.

The SB members of Kalibo who proposed to collect environmental fee from among the visitors passing by Kalibo exhibited the emptiness of the coconut shell and the scarcity of ideas in the closet.

There are several things for the people of Kalibo to do to make the town more attractive, more enjoyable to live, and for other people to visit. But for heaven sake, never collect environmental fee. Switzerland which has the most conducive and clean biosphere does not collect environmental fee. Singapore and Japan noted for their cleanliness do not charge the visitors with environmental fee. 

The Kalibonhons and the Aklanons must follow laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. For those who try to be exception to the law, the SB members must devise ways and means to compel compliance. The LGU executive officials must implement their mandates.

There are several things to implement like traffic laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. Restore sidewalks for the use of pedestrians. Implement building code, and improve the drainage system, remove street children and beggars from the sidewalks among others.

Better still, if the posts for multi-purpose wires are relocated to the right location to prevent accident and enhance beauty. Furthermore, burry the electric power, cable and telephone lines. Improve the drainage system.

After these are done, Kalibo must be a place to behold, visit, stay, and enjoy the beauty and splendor of the place, Kalibo.  

For the meanwhile withhold collecting the environmental fee until Kalibo has fully improved the state of its environment. It is shocking for the visitors to pay environmental fee just to pass by Kalibo with its present state.

Paris, Rome, Barcelona to mention a few do not charge their visitors any environmental fee. I do not know any city in the United States which charge their visitors environmental fee.

For Kalibo and even other municipalities of Aklan to earn income out of the visitors is to invest capital in the production of goods and services for sale to visitors. Fiber industry products must be accompanied with other products like souvenir items. Invest in agricultural projects to produce food for our visitors.

Today, most of chicken meat and eggs, beef, vegetables, fruits, and even flowers are imported from other provinces and even from abroad especially flowers. In this way, SB Kalibo will raise the status of the farmers from “marginalized” to self sustaining or above the poverty line. After the Aklanon farmers are empowered, they will be capable to pay taxes thereby increase LGU Kalibo income. /MP