2014: The Busiest Year For The 16th SP Of Aklan

2014: The Busiest Year 

For The 16th SP Of Aklan

by Odon S. Bandiola

Perspective of the Provincial Legislative Building soon
to rise at the Aklan Provincial Capitol Compound.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan for term 2013-2016 capped the year 2014 with a record number of ordinances passed. Some turned out to be very controversial for the provincial legislative body.

The SP in 2014 presided by Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo had gone through a total of 276 committee hearings, 44 regular sessions, 3 special sessions and a total of 6 public hearings. 

From those legislative deliberations, the SP passed a total of 284 resolutions, 10 general ordinances, 14 special ordinances, 2 tax ordinances, 7 appropriation ordinances and accredited a total of 3 non-government organizations. 

Year 2014 is highlighted by the enactment of Tax Ordinance No. 001, Series of 2014, “An Ordinance Fixing The Schedule Of New Base Market Values Of Real Properties In The Entire Province Of Aklan,” this ordinance elicited a prolonged controversy from those sectors opposing the general revision of base market values of real properties.

The pocket opposition resulted in a litigation lodged in the Department of Justice questioning the validity and legality of the said tax ordinance while seeking nullification of the same. (The Department of Justice resolved the said Tax ordinance as null and void).

Year 2014 is highlighted by the approval of the P1.527 billion 2015 Annual Budget of the Provincial Government of Aklan covering the operations of the provincial government under the general fund and the economic enterprise development department.

The approval of the 2015 annual budget came through Appropriation Ordinance No. 005, Series of 2014 for the general fund with a total appropriations of P908,555,719.00, and through Appropriation Ordinance  No.006, Series of 2014 approving the EEDD budget carrying a total appropriations of P618,805,000.00. Programs and Projects funded by the 20 percent IRA development fund carry a total appropriations of P151,873,143.00 approved through Appropriation Ordinance No. 007, Series of 2014.

One prominent general ordinance enacted by the 16th SP is General Ordinance No. 009, Series of 2014, “An Ordinance Institutionalizing the Aklan Consignment System”. This will enable the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital to stockpile medicines from suppliers on consignment basis and strengthen the pharmacy services inside the hospital, a lingering problem of the hospital system of the province to the detriment of the patients. 

Another general ordinance conspicuously enacted by the 16th SP is General Ordinance No. 005, Series of 2014, “An Ordinance Constituting The Aklan Council For The ASEAN Economic Integration (ACAEI) 2015, Providing For Its Structure, Powers And Functions, Requiring Comprehensive Plans And Regular Monitoring Reports, Appropriating Funds For Its Operations And For Other Purposes.”

This will set the tone for Aklan to be able to advantageously position itself in the midst of the now on-going ASEAN Economic Integration. /MP