Editorial

Hope In The Face Of Adversity

Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) convened all 13 Municipal Mayors of Aklan together with their Barangay Captains for second tranch of checks distribution of Recovery Assistance on Yolanda (RAY II). This is held this week, June 13, 2015 at Ibajay Social Hall, Ibajay.

According to Gov. Joeben T. Miraflores, the P37.0 million fund intends to hasten recovery and normality in the discharge of government functions after the disastrous onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda. The Daang Matuwid of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III has allocated P1.5 billion for the repair of damaged local government facilities in Eastern, Central and Western Visayas. Panay Island will receive P238.6 million this year. Funding release is handled in three batches, the second batch include Capiz, Aklan, and Antique, averred the Provincial Executive.

Sec. Roxas, a staunch advocate of modern governance vowed to improve the delivery and efficiency of services among local government officials since they are working among the grassroots of society. “Indi ko gid kamo pagpabayaan,” a passionate pledge for unity and cooperation.

Yesterday, the Philippines celebrated 117 years of political independence and freedom from our colonizers, yet through all these years we have never been independent from the tyranny of hunger, poverty and want.

Realizing the magnitude and latitude of our problem, the government has instituted the Universal Philhealth – Point of Care, Conditional Cash Transfer, Infra and Bottoms Up Budgeting (BUB). The latter is brainchild of DILG that ensures participation of all stakeholders in identifying projects and prioritizing them for funding by higher government authorities, underscored the former Senator.

Along this line, Gov. Miraflores recalled that BUB funding for Aklan in 2014 was P15 million per town and P12.5 million per town in 2015. This financial assistance from the national government forms part of the huge allocation of Aklan for construction of school buildings, health centers, sports and highways.

The rehabilitation program will ultimately cover 186 barangays in 16 municipalities involving 242 facilities. The third and final tranch of the fund will total P47.0 million.

The breakdown of checks released by municipality follows: a) Altavas – P4.7 million for rehabilitation of 4 barangay halls, 9 day care centers and 1 civic center, b) Balete – P3.93 million (1 brgy. Hall, 5 day care centers and 3 civic centers), c) Banga – P4.0 million (18 brgy. Halls, 3 day care centers and 5 civic centers), d) Batan – P3.02 million (4 brgy. Halls, 4 day care centers, and 2 civic centers), f) Ibajay – P0.963 million (1 brgy hall), g) Kalibo – P3.15 million (2 brgy halls, 9 day care centers and 4 civic centers), h) Makato – P0.45 million (1 brgy hall), i) Malinao – P3.82 million (4 brgy halls, 9 day care centers and 1 civic center), j) Nabas – P6.36 million (13 brgy halls and 5 day care centers), k) Numancia – P1.70 million (8 brgy halls, 2 day care centers and 1 civic center), and l) Tangalan – P1.70 million (10 brgy halls, 2 day care centers). Cong. Ted T. Haresco and Vice Gov. Billie Calizo-Quimpo witnessed the distribution of checks.

In the campaign for peace and order, Sec. Roxas announced the release of brand new police patrol jeeps to each of the 16 towns. Combatting crime demands mobility, coordination and intelligence work.

However, RA 6975 or Act to Establish one fire station in each Municipality is not fully implemented. Presently, Aklan has only six Fire Stations out of 17 municipalities. The law provides a minimum ratio of 1 fireman per 1,500 population. Kalibo the provincial capital needs one unit ladder firetruck to contain fire outbreak in 4 or 5 storey commercial buildings. Necessary standard set of fireman’s uniform and gadget must be provided.

The June 12 conflagration in Purok 2, C. Laserna St. Kalibo razed 99 shanties and displaced 122 families partly due to the delayed response of firetrucks which have to negotiate long distances. Critical time to suppress fire is 15 minutes from start of combustion.

Some 300 guests and visitors attended the check distribution program. After which, Sec. Roxas and his party visited the modern, elegant, and functional Ibajay public market.

“Give hope in order that people trust in their government and in the future”. These are the parting words of Sec. Roxas, the heir apparent of P-noy for the 2016 presidential elections. /MP