Renaming of Aklan East Road pushed

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

A measure renaming the present Kalibo-Altavas national highway is pending with the committee on public works and highways at the House of Representatives.

House Bill No. 1535, introduced by Aklan Rep. Carlito Marquez, seeks to rename the 47.587 Aklan East Road of Kalibo-Banga-Balete-Batan-Altavas national highway into Congressman Allen Salas Quimpo national road.

The proposed Quimpo road will start from Kalibo-Banga-New Washington junction at Barangay Andagao in Kalibo up to Aklan-Capiz boundary in Altavas. 

“The late Atty. Quimpo expedited the release of funds for the upgrading and complete cement-paving of the entire road segment of Kalibo Highway. Before, the highway was still known as “abortion road” for the commuters and the transport of products and goods,” Marquez said in his bill’s explanatory note.

The busy highway connects the capital town of Kalibo to the eastern towns of Banga, Balete, Batan and Altavas. It passes through the barangays of Poblacion, Andagao, Estancia, Tigayon, Linabuan Norte in Kalibo; Linabuan Sur, Jumarap, Mambog, Poblacion, Tabayon, Libas and Venturanza in Banga; Fulgencio, Feliciano, Calizo, Morales, Poblacion, Cortes and Aranas in Balete; Lalab and Cabugao in Batan; Cabugao, Linayasan, Odiong, Poblacion, Man-up and Cabangila in Altavas along the route. 

Quimpo served as vice mayor of Kalibo from 1980 to 1988; mayor of Kalibo from 1988 to 1992 and Aklan congressman from 1992 to 2001. He died of pancreatic cancer in December 2016. 

Marquez said, “Quimpo was an acknowledged political icon who reigned over the political, social and economic landscape of Aklan during his time.”

The article was originally published by independent online blog Aklan Forum Journal. The unrestricted use in print or radio, publication and distribution of articles are allowed provided the original author and Aklan Forum Journal are credited.