‘Aklan’ commemorative car plate now available to public

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – The newest commemorative car plate of Godofredo P. Ramos Centennial Birth Anniversary is now available for sale.
Ramos, known as the Father of Aklan, is best remembered for the passage of Republic Act No. 1414 separating Aklan as an independent province from the province of Capiz. The law was signed on April 25, 1956 by then President Ramon Magsaysay.
To celebrate his 100th birth anniversary on November 8, 2011, the Godofredo P. Ramos Memorial Foundation (GPRMF) in coordination with the Aklan Historical Society and the Aklan Provincial Tourism Council, has lined-up commemorative activities, which includes the printing and selling of commemorative vehicle plates.

Ramos (November 8, 1911-July 17, 1977) was the Congressman of the 3rd District of Capiz from 1950 to 1957 and representative of Aklan in Congress from 1962 to 1965. He was elected governor of Aklan from 1959 to 1961 and was named as Justice of the Court of Appeals from 1971 to 1976.
Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan member Emmanuel Soviet Russia dela Cruz said the commemorative motor vehicle plate is authorized and approved by Land Transportation Office (LTO) until November 8, 2012.
Under LTO rules, vehicle owners are allowed to display valid commemorative plates in front of the car but the regular plate issued to the car must be attached at the rear portion. The commemorative plates should not be used as substitutes for LTO-issued car plates.

LTO only approves the fabrication of commemorative car plates with a certification from the National Historical Commission (NHC) regarding historical significance.

Dela Cruz said the commemorative plates bearing the name ‘Aklan’ and the picture of the late Godofredo P. Ramos are ready and available to the public at the Museo it Akean and the Aklan Tourism Office for P1,200 to raise funds and heighten the awareness for the centennial event.

Aside from circulating the commemorative plates, GPRMF will organize lectures and feature writing contest and will publish materials on the life of the former Aklan governor and congressman.