Aklan celebrates 57^th anniversary

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Local officials and residents will celebrate the 57th anniversary of Aklan with this year’s theme “Aklan: Padayon sa Pag-umwad” (Aklan: Onwards to Progress).

The celebration is commemorated every April 25 of each year pursuant to Republic Act No. 1414 signed by President Ramon Magsaysay.

Aklan became an independent province on April 25, 1956. Congressman Godofredo Ramos authored the law that formally separated Aklan from its mother province of Capiz.

Various activities in line with the Aklan Day include an inter-department sportfest, Tsibugan sa Kapitolyo, garden show, 14^th Aklan Pina and Fiber festival, dog show, Agri-Industrial Fair, Aklan Governor’s Cup basketball tournament and Aninag Fashion accessories show.

A thanksgiving mass at Saint John the Baptist Cathedral, civic military parade and a commemorative program at Gov. Augusto B. Legaspi Sports and Cultural Center will highlight the commemoration on April 25.

Four outstanding Aklanons will receive the prestigious awards from the provincial government for their significant contribution to the development of Aklan.

Other major activities to mark the anniversary include the blessing of the new Provincial Capitol Building on April 25, surgical mission (cleft lip and cleft palate surgery sponsored by Cranio-Facial Foundation of the Philippines, Godofredo P. Ramos Foundation and Batan Rural Improvement Club at Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon on April 18 to 21 and launching and deployment of 610 units of artificial reef in the towns of Nabas and Ibajay on April 24.

Coinciding also with the annual celebration is the Aklan Investment Conference (I-Con) and Market Encounter on April 30 at the Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot Tourism and Training Center organized by the Department of Trade and Industry.

The 2nd Provincial Population Congress of Association of Population Officers, Workers and Volunteers of Aklan (APOWVA) will be held also on April 22.

There will be an awarding ceremony for the Outstanding Municipal Treasurer and Outstanding Tax Payers of Aklan on April 24 and the farmers and fisherfolks Day and awarding of winners for booth exhibit, float parade and vegetables productivity contest 2013 on April 27.