Aklan guv urges SP to declare partial state of calamity in four towns
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Governor Carlito Marquez is asking the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to declare partially hit-towns of Balete, Buruanga, Libacao and Madalag under state of calamity due to the effects of the prolonged dry spell
Aklan, being a surplus rice producing province, has been affected by the El Niño, especially the crop production in the upland areas.

Last Thursday regular session, SP member Rodson Mayor has sponsored the resolution to place those towns under partial calamity area. In attendance were representatives from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the National Food Authority.

“We have 8,502 bags of certified seeds ready for rain-feed areas affected by the long dry spell or El Niño-drought. To remedy the adverse effects of El Niño, we sought the aid of Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan to put under partial state of calamity, in particular, those upland areas of Libacao, Madalag, Buruanga and Balete,” the governor stressed.

Marquez said the provincial government is also determined to implement high-value commercial crops by installing green-houses projects in San Ramon, Malinao; in Badio, Numancia and Daja Norte, Banga, Aklan. Agriculture officials recently conducted site inspection of abaca development program in Libacao and Balete.
The provincial government also trained fisher folks in Cabugao in Altavas, Aklan for the culture of mussel (talaba) and assisted in the delivery of fish enhancing devices in Buruanga and Nabas.

The hatchery project and modified tilapia culture in Libacao and Madalag, the high saline tilapia culture project in Makato and the 65 artificial reefs under the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani for Fisheries (GMA fisheries program) in New Washington are closely monitored.
The Office of Provincial Veterinarian also distributed additional 50 pigs in Malinao, Lezo, Altavas, Tangalan and Numancia from April to May. Ninety three goats were turned over in the towns of Altavas, Libacao and Ibajay under the Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine National Red Cross will facilitate the Rice Assistance Program (RAP) for poor farmers in the province greatly affected by El Niño.
The governor said the provincial government will distribute one sack of rice for the 4,187 farmer families of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the towns of Madalag, Libacao, Balete and Buruanga.

Marquez said the provincial government also turned over 8,696 universal PhilHealth ID cards in Buruanga, Malay, Ibajay, Numancia, Malinao and Lezo. The distribution of PhilHealth ID cards will continue until June 10, he added.