Governor Marquez cites Aklan's edge, pushes for more tourism projects

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – Governor Carlito Marquez delivered his 7th State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Wednesday, giving his constituents and the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan members a preview of a ‘rosier’ year 2011.

In his ‘something old, something new’ annual address, the governor pointed out key statistics of Aklan’s positive growth in areas of tourism, health, agriculture, infrastructures, social welfare, cooperatives, population and finances in 2010:

- P829 million gross income for EEDD and General Fund or 14 percent increase in gross income compared to 2009 of P725 million

- 105,138 metric tons of rice produced from 140,537 metric tons in 2009

- P163 million implemented and completed projects by the Provincial Engineering Office

- 779,666 tourist arrivals in Boracay Island and P14.3 billion tourism receipts

- P184.8 million ongoing projects, including construction of Guadalupe Bridge, upgrading of Caticlan jetty port and the land reclamation of the Marina project

- P59.2 million in financial assistance for corn production, high value commercial crops, rice program and farm-to-market roads

- 203 barangays out of 327 barangays had Botika ng Barangay outlets

- 1,242,344 kilograms of abaca fiber production in 2010 valued at P50 million compared to 2009 of 1,461,292 kilograms

- P2.2 million subsidy for sustained implementation of integrated population and development programs

- 103 cooperatives registered in 2010 with a membership of 21,572 and total assets of P403.7 million

- P68.461 million conditional cash grant for 6,931 Aklanon families for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)

Full throttle to development
“Long before the Board of Investments pronouncements, we had been envisioning the expansion and modernization of jetty port facilities at the Caticlan. The 20 percent increase in tourist arrivals brings us closer to our one-million tourists’ goal and this necessitates better and bigger tourist facilities.”
In his SOPA, Marquez has affirmed the positive developments of Aklan's tourism industry. The governor mentioned the P2.5 billion build-operate-transfer of the Caticlan Airport involving the installation of navigation and air traffic control facilities, construction of a 9,200-square meter two-storey passenger terminal building and the widening and extension of the Caticlan airport runway.

"Tourism, business and livelihood activities are expected to increase in Boracay Island and in Aklan and open the door to new destinations in the province for tourists," he said.
He also cited the development of an initial 2.6 hectares Marina project in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan and the plan to construct a jetty port in Pook, Kalibo, Aklan.

"Another project we are endorsing to the national government is the proposed Kalibo circumferential road. This project will include construction of an 820-lineal bridge connecting Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan and Mina, Lezo to lessen traffic problems in Kalibo," the governor stressed.

Under the administration of Marquez, Aklan has become one of the pilot provinces in the country for the installation of automatic weather stations to monitor local weather conditions in a locality. Aklan also is one of the most peaceful provinces with a total of 2,026 crimes or an average monthly rate of 34, way below the national average.

A social welfare desk, the first of its kind in Western Visayas, was established in Caticlan Jetty Port to address issues on commercial sexual exploitation on children, trafficking of children and children at risk.

Marquez ended his 37-page SOPA by rallying the Aklanons to continue supporting the programs of his administration.

"These were our accomplishments in the year just passed, our best efforts in the face of the many obstacles that beset not just the province as small as Aklan but the whole world... because the economic recession, the catastrophic weather, the power crisis, peace and order problems are global," he said.

"But we are moving, and moving forward. Thanks to all of you for your continued trust and support. Saeamat man sa atong mga mangunguma, mga tricycle driver, mga simpleng empleyado sa gobierno man o pribado, mga simpleng ina sa panimaeay, mga tawong sa sari-saring pamaagi hay epektibo mang ga contribuir sa progreso ku Akean."