P-Noy visits Aklan, brings more pro-poor programs

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – Aklanons gave President Benigno Simeon Aquino III a rousing welcome in his first presidential visit in the capital town of Kalibo on Tuesday morning.

President Aquino distributed government’s assistance to the beneficiaries in Aklan that include Philhealth cards, Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAS), social pension for indigent senior citizens, certificates for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), checks for the supplemental feeding program, and agricultural assistance.

In his speech at the Augusto B. Legaspi Sports Complex, Aquino underscored the pro-poor programs implemented by his administration that would raise the standard of living of the people.

“Itong araw pong ito, 187 po silang miyembro noong assistance sa Senior Citizens program. Ang pondong nakalaan po para sa kanila ay P280,500 -- yan po ay P1,500 kada quarter, nasa second quarter na po yung assistance nila. Mayroon po tayong doon sa Pantawid Pamilyang Programa ang hinahabol po natin itong taon na ito ay mai-enroll kalahati noong 4.6 million na pamilyang living below the poverty line. Halos naka dalawang milyon na po tayo na pamilyang enrolled. Dito po ang na-enroll sa kabuuan ng Aklan ay 23,000 families ang natutulungan na po ng programang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program,” Aquino said.

The President, dressed in his signature yellow short-sleeved polo and denim pants, drew loud applause from the crowd when he said, “Nagpapraktis po ako ng konting Akyanon. Medyo baluktot ho at Kapampangan po ako eh. Mayad ayad nga agahon kinyo tanan. Mayroon pa hong page two. Katokat iya ako kinyo para mag kampanya. Naghambay ako kinyong nga kaabo kiya nga mga guwapa. Makaron mas nag abo pa gid ro mga guwapahon. Kaya dapat ho maglagi na ako dito para makasal na."

Joining the chief executive in his visit in Aklan were Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman. Also present were Senator Franklin Drilon, Undersecretary Anthony Parungao of the Department of Agrarian Reform, Health Undersecretary David Lozada Jr. and Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte.

He was also warmly welcomed by Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez, Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo, Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores, former Aklan solon Allen Salas-Quimpo, Kalibo mayor WIlliam Lachica, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members and the municipal mayors during his presidential visit here yesterday.

President Aquino handed certificates of award worth P26 million for various agriculture projects to the province of Aklan and distributed monthly stipend to selected indigent senior citizens, CLOAS to eight Aklanon agrarian reform beneficiaries and 4Ps certificates to fourteen households.

“Ngayon may pagkakataon tayo na yung kamalian noong dati ay maiwawasto na natin. Kung may liwanag na bumabalot sa buong Pilipinas ngayon, kayo pong nagtiwala ang hindi ko po bibiguin ang siyang nagbigay ng pagkakataon mailagay natin sa tuwid na landas ito pong ating Inang Bayan.

“Isang taon pa lang ho tayo, nag-uumpisa pa lang yung boxing, marami pa tayo kailangang gawin. Pero tulungan po niyo ako na pagbaba ko sa puwesto sa 2016, at sana naman po ay magreretiro na, pwede tayong lahat lumingon at magsabing, "Ang layo na nang narating ng ating minamahal na Inang Bayang Pilipinas!" the chief executive said.

Before he proceeded to the province of Capiz for the distribution of social services, the President thanked the Aklanons and his supporters who have supported him during the presidential elections last year.

Last June 25, the chief executive inaugurated the improved Caticlan airport terminal buildings of San Miguel Corp.-owned TransAire Development Holdings Corp.