Aklan gov't awards 'Re-greening' winners
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - To recognize their efforts in making the western and eastern part of Aklan 'green and beautiful' the provincial government awarded the winners of the 2nd Regreening and Beautification Contest last week.

In the eastern part, Barangay Calizo of Balete, Aklan won first place and was given P50,000 in cash, Barangay Feliciano of Balete, Aklan ranked second and got P35,000 followed by Barangay Camancia of Batan, Aklan at third place for P20,000 cash.

In the residential category, Mary Claire dela Cruz of Libas, Banga, Aklan garnered P15,000 for first place, Luzviminda Estimada of Jumarap, Banga, Aklan was declared first runner-up and received P10,000 and Mateo Soncuya, Jr. of Libas, Banga, Aklan for third place with P5,000 cash prize.

For the barangay category in the western side, Barangay Tagas of Tangalan, Aklan bagged the first prize for P50,000, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Bigaa, Lezo went home P35,000 for second place and Barangay Poblacion, Malinao, Aklan got the third runner-up honors for P20,000.

Ernesto Salondico of Barangay Nagustan, Nabas, Aklan was ranked first place in the residential category and received P15,000, Ramonito Rebustes was adjudged first runner-up for P10,000 and Rally Saba of Barangay Gibon, Nabas, Aklan for third place and received P5,000.

The Regreening and Beautification Contest spearheaded by Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez was launched in November 2008. The beautification program is part of the effort to create awareness in the barangays to beautify the national highway, rural and urban areas across the province.

Last April 25, 2009, the provincial government, in the initial staging of the regreening and beautification contest, awarded the towns of Tangalan and Balete as winners in the western and eastern parts, respectively.