STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS 2018

BY GOV. FLORENCIO “JOEBEN” T. MIRAFLORES

• VICE GOVERNOR REYNALDO “BOY” M. QUIMPO, MEMBERS OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN, IT IS AGAIN MY HONOR TO REPORT IN YOUR PRESENCE THE MOST IMPORTANT GAINS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND ITS PARTNER AGENCIES AND STAKEHOLDERS OVER THE PAST YEAR.

• TODAY, I AM THE MESSENGER OF ALL THINGS GOOD ABOUT OUR YEARLY EXECUTIVE ACTION AND LEADERSHIP. THE CONTENT AND SUBSTANCE OF MY MESSAGE IS ALSO THE PRODUCT OF INTER-AGENCY COOPERATION AND SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY. THUS, I TAKE PLEASURE IN PRESENTING THIS TO OUR MAYORS, VICE MAYORS, COUNCILORS, BARANGAY CAPTAINS AND OTHER LOCAL OFFICIALS, THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE ACADEME, THE CHURCH AND RELIGIOUS SECTOR, THE YOUTH SECTOR, THE WOMEN’S SECTOR, OUR SENIOR CITIZENS, OUR MARGINALIZED SECTORS, AND THE REST OF AKLAN’S CIVIL SOCIETY THRU OUR PARTNERS IN THE MEDIA.

• TALKING OF COOPERATION, THE FIRST CONCRETE EXAMPLE WOULD BE MY WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN OF AKLAN.

• THE DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THIS AUGUST BODY HAS BEST EXEMPLIFIED EXECUTIVE-LEGISLATIVE UNITY WITH THE TIMELY ACTION AND DYNAMIC SUPPORT TO ALL PROPOSALS AND REQUESTS FROM MY OFFICE.

• OUR SANGGUNIAN HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROLIFIC WITH THEIR 2017 PERFORMANCE OF 424 RESOLUTIONS, 4 GENERAL ORDINANCES, 11 SPECIAL ORDINANCES, AND 3 APPROPRIATION ORDINANCES PASSED. THIS OUTPUT, NOT KNOWN TO MANY, IS DUE TO TIRELESS REVIEW AND DELIBERATION DURING TEDIOUS COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.

• THE AKLAN SP HAS ALSO BEEN A MODEL AND A FAVOURITE FOR BENCHMARKING ACTIVITIES BY SANGGUNIANS FROM OTHER PROVINCES EVEN OUTSIDE OF WESTERN VISAYAS.

• IT’S UNCOMMON FOR LEGISLATORS TO GO OUT OF THE CONFINES OF THEIR OFFICES AND SESSION HALLS TO DO SOME FIELD WORK, BUT HERE IN AKLAN, OUR SP IS VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN ENSURING THAT OUR INITIATIVES ESPECIALLY IN AGRICULTURE ARE GIVEN THAT EXTRA PUSH. 

• THANK YOU FOR YOUR INITIATIVES IN THE TILAPIA HATCHERY PROJECT IN NALOOK, ADDITIONAL PATROL BOAT FOR OUR BANTAY DAGAT, AND RAINSHELTER PROJECT FOR OUR SCHOOLS.

• THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY JOB EASIER.

• FOR ALL THESE HARD WORK, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE VICE GOVERNOR BOY QUIMPO FOR STEERING THE WHEEL OF OUR SP TO EXCELLENCE!

• TRULY, THERE IS STRENGTH IN UNITY. AND IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY, OUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, AS ONE, MUST REMAIN STRONG IN OUR RESOLVE TO OVERCOME.

• I WILL NOT SUGAR-COAT THIS CHALLENGING SITUATION OF BORACAY ISLAND’S TEMPORARY CLOSURE. IT IS WHAT IT IS, A CHALLENGE.

• IN MY STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS IN 2015, WHEN WE WERE STILL FEELING THE EFFECTS OF YOLANDA, I CATEGORICALLY SAID THAT WE SHOULD NO LONGER DWELL ON OUR SAD STATE BUT FOCUS ON OUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE.

• I SAY AGAIN THIS TIME WITH THE CLOSURE OF BORACAY THAT LOSING FOCUS HAS NO PLACE AND THERE IS NO POINT TO FINGER POINT. OUR TIME FOR PUBLIC SERVICE HAS NO ROOM FOR NAYSAYERS AND THAT WE GO STRAIGHT TO BUSINESS OF TALKING AND ACTING ON REHABILITATION.

• WE HAVE IDENTIFIED KEY ISSUES IN THE ISLAND WHICH WE THINK ARE THE ONES THAT THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT CAN ACTIVELY HELP TO ADDRESS TOGETHER WITH THE BORACAY INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE.   

FIRST, POOR MAINTENANCE OF DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE SYSTEM CAUSING FLOODING IN THE MAIN THOROUGHFARES;

SECOND, ILLEGAL CONNECTION OF WASTE WATER PIPES TO THE STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM RATHER THAN TO THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM;

THIRD, ILLEGAL STRUCTURES BUILT ON THE ISLAND’S WETLANDS AND FORESTLANDS;
FOURTH, STRUCTURES BUILT WITHIN THE 12-METER EASEMENT RESTRICTIONS ALONG THE ISLAND’S MAJOR THOROUGHFARES CAUSING TRAFFIC CONGESTION AS WELL AS THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS ENCROACHING ON THE 25 + 5 METERS SETBACK REQUIREMENTS AT THE BEACH FRONT.

• BASED ON THESE ISSUES, WE IMMEDIATELY EMBARKED ON VARIOUS REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES. SOME OF THESE EFFORTS HAVE EVEN COMMENCED PRIOR TO THE DECLARATION OF THE CLOSURE OF THE ISLAND:

1. MOBILIZED PERSONNEL FROM THE PROVINCIAL ENGINEER’S OFFICE TO DE-CLOG DRAINAGE CANAL STARTING MARCH 20, 2018, PRIORITIZING AREAS ALONG THE MAIN ROAD, PARTICULARLY BETWEEN STATION X AND CRAFTS. WHILE DE-CLOGGING WAS DONE, ILLEGAL PIPING CONNECTIONS THAT DISCHARGE WASTE WATER WERE EXPOSED.  IN COORDINATION WITH LGU MALAY AND DENR, THESE ILLEGAL PIPES WERE PLUGGED;

2. COLLABORATED WITH BORACAY ISLAND WATER COMPANY AND BORACAY TUBI SYSTEM INC. IN THE DE-CLOGGING OPERATIONS AND FINDING OF  ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS;

3. INITIATED THE REACTIVATION OF BRGY. BALABAG MATERIAL RECOVERY FACILITY FOR THE RESUMPTION OF COLLECTION AND RECYCLING OF GARBAGE WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION. USING PROVINCIAL FUNDS, WE CONTRACTED THE SERVICES OF WORKERS FOR THIS PURPOSE FROM APRIL TO JUNE. THE MRF WAS ALSO USED AS TEMPORARY  DUMPING AREA OF DE-CLOGGED MATERIALS COMING FROM DRAINAGE CANAL AND DEBRIS FROM DEMOLISHED STRUCTURES;

4. DEPLOYED EQUIPMENT/TOOLS TO THE ISLAND FOR THE DE-CLOGGING AND DEMOLITION ACTIVITIES SUCH AS:  DUMP TRUCKS, LOADER, BACKHOE, BOOM TRUCK, SERVICE VEHICLES, ELECTRIC HAMMERS, GENERATOR SETS, ETC.;

5. DONATED A MINI DUMP TRUCK TO BRGY. BALABAG FOR ITS SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES;

6. DEPLOYED 315 WORKFORCE AND VOLUNTEERS IN BORACAY ISLAND FROM THE DIFFERENT LGUS IN AKLAN THROUGH THE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES ON APRIL 26 TO MAY 1, 2018;

7. COMPLETED CLEARING OPERATIONS LIKE DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES AND CUTTING OF TREES FROM CAGBAN JETTY PORT TO ROTONDA FOR THE ROAD WIDENING;

8. SPEARHEADED THE DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES AT  ROAD 1A FOR THE ROAD WIDENING AND CONTINUING TO THE 25 +5 METERS OF EASEMENT AT THE BULABOG BEACH LINE WHERE GAP IN THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROAD WILL BE CONNECTED;

9. PARTICIPATED IN THE PARTIAL DEMOLITION OF WEST COVE RESORT IN BRGY. YAPAK;

10. DEMOLISHED BOARDING HOUSES MADE OF LIGHT MATERIALS WHICH WERE ILLEGALLY BUILT AT WETLAND NO. 6;

11. HELPED THE DENR IN EXPOSING ILLEGALLY INSTALLED PIPES ALONG THE LONG BEACH SHORELINE WHICH WERE DISCOVERED BY THE USE OF THEIR PENETRATING RADAR EQUIPMENT;

• WITH ALL THESE PRO-ACTIVE REHABILITATION EFFORTS FROM OUR END, DONE IN CLOSE COORDINATION AND COOPERATION WITH THE BORACAY INTER-AGENCY REHABILITATION TASK FORCE, WE CAN SHARE THE EXPECTATION OF A “BETTER BORACAY” ON ITS RE-OPENING WITHIN THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD TIMELINE OF PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE.

• I HAVE BEEN WITH TASKFORCE CHAIR DENR SECRETARY ROY CIMATU PERSONALLY IN MOST OF HIS ACTIVITIES IN THE ISLAND AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WE ARE ON TRACK.

• THE CHANGES ARE NOTICEABLE WITH THE QUALITY OF WATER AROUND THE ISLAND DECLARED AS WITHIN CLASS SB MEANING IT IS SAFE FOR SWIMMING AND OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. WE CAN NOW EXPECT EXPANDED ROAD NETWORKS WITH WIDER SIDEWALKS, BETTER MANAGED DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE SYSTEMS, PROPER DISPOSITION OF GARBAGE, REINVIGORATED WETLANDS, AND A FRONTBEACH WHOSE BEAUTY IS BROUGHT BACK TO ITS NATURAL CAPTIVATING STATE.

• THE CLOSURE OF BORACAY EXTENDS ITS CHILLING EFFECT TO OUR HOSPITAL OPERATIONS FOR THIS YEAR.

• AS I HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED, LOOKING AT THE  FINANCIAL SITUATION OF OUR DR. RAFAEL S. TUMBUKON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, IBAJAY DISTRICT HOSPITAL AND ALTAVAS DISTRICT HOSPITAL FROM 2014-2016, IT WOULD INDICATE THAT THE THREE EEDD HOSPITALS INCURRED OPERATIONAL EXPENSES OF 1.1 BILLION PESOS WHILE EARNING REVENUES OF ONLY 592 MILLION PESOS.WITH EASE, WE MANAGED TO COPE WITH THE BALANCE OF 486 MILLION PESOS TO SUSTAIN HOSPITAL OPERATIONS FROM THE NET INCOME OF THE CATICLAN AND CAGBAN JETTY PORTS. WITH THE CLOSURE, OUR YEARLY SUBSIDY OF APPROXIMATELY 160 MILLION TO OUR HOSPITAL OPERATIONS IS NOT AVAILABLE ANYMORE.

• THIS SITUATION HAS PUSHED OUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES AND MEASURES THAT WOULD RENDER US CAPABLE OF COPING, ESPECIALLY WITH THE DELIVERY OF BASIC SERVICES WHILE WE ARE STILL IN THIS TEMPORARY SETBACK.

• IN ORDER TO PROVIDE CONTINUOUS SUPPLY OF DRUGS AND OTHER MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO OUR HOSPITALS, THE AKLAN CONSIGNMENT SYSTEM IS BEING PRIORITIZED AS THE MODE OF PROCUREMENT SINCE IT DOESN’T NEED ANY APPROPRIATION. THIS WAS AN INNOVATION WE INTRODUCED STARTING 2014 AND IT IS SUCH A BLESSING THAT WE CAN NOW USE IT AS LEVERAGE TO DAMPEN THE EFFECT OF THIS TRYING TIME TO OUR HOSPITALS.

• DUE TO EXCELLENT FISCAL MANAGEMENT OF OUR PROVINCIAL LOCAL FINANCE COMMITTEE IN THE PRIOR YEARS, THE PROVINCE HAS MANAGED TO SAVE 120 MILLION PESOS FROM THE GENERAL FUND WHICH WE ARE NOW USING TO SUBSIDIZE OUR HOSPITAL OPERATIONS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE ITS SERVICES.

• WORTHY TO NOTE IS THAT WE MANAGED TO INCREASE OUR REAL PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION FROM 28.8 MILLION PESOS OF 2016 TO 42.2 MILLION PESOSFOR 2017.

• WE ARE EXERCISING PRUDENCE IN OUR SPENDINGS THRU POLICIES CAREFULLY IMPLEMENTED BY OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENTS. THERE WILL BE NO DISBURSEMENT FOR CAPITAL OUTLAY UNDER THE EEDD AS WELL AS PRIORITIZED SPENDING ON ROUTINE GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES FOR THE TIME BEING.

• CLEARLY, YOUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IS HANDLING THE SITUATION LIKE JUST ANOTHER DAY IN THE OFFICE. IT IS ON SITUATIONS LIKE THIS THAT WE APPRECIATE FURTHER THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR PAST EFFORTS AS THESE WILL REAP ITS REWARDS IN THE COMING DAYS.

• BASIC EXAMPLES OF THESE PAST EFFORTS ARE:

1) THE SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF THE 2017 GENERAL REVISION OF REAL PROPERTIES PER TAX ORDINANCE NO. 2017-001, “AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE SCHEDULE OF MARKET VALUES OF REAL PROPERTIES FOR THE SEVENTEEN (17) MUNCIPALITIES OF AKLAN FOR THE 2017 GENERAL REVISION AND FIXING THE CORRESPONDING ASSESSMENT LEVELS FOR ALL REAL PROPERTY CLASSIFICATIONS TO TAKE EFFECT BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2018”. THIS WILL TRANSLATE TO MORE REVENUE FOR OUR COFFERS.

2) WE HAVE ALSO MANAGED TO PROCURE, INSPECT AND RELEASE 107 MILLION PESOS WORTH OF EQUIPMENT FOR OUR FACILITIES ESPECIALLY OUR ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT UNITS WITH FOCUS ON OUR HOSPITALS. THIS WILL REDOUND INTO MORE REVENUES CONSIDERING THAT OUR FACILITIES PROVIDE EQUIPMENT COMPARABLE TO PRIVATE HOSPITALS.

• SINCE I ASSUMED OFFICE LAST 2013, WE HAVE BEEN STRIVING FOR NOTHING SHORT OF EXCELLENCE IN ALL FIELDS OF ADMINISTRATION. THIS ATTITUDE IN OUR JOURNEY OF GOOD GOVERNANCE PREPARED US FOR THE RAINY DAY, SO TO SPEAK.

• WHEN YOU ENTER THE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL MAIN BUILDING, ON THE WALL TO YOUR LEFT, WE HAVE DISPLAYED OUR 2015, 2016, AND 2017 SEAL OF GOOD LOCAL GOVERNANCE (SGLG) GIVEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THIS INDICATES THAT AKLAN HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT WINNER SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2015 MAKING AKLAN PROVINCE A GRAND SLAM WINNER.

• THE PROMINENT MARKINGS ARE PROOF THAT OUR BRAND OF PUBLIC SERVICE EXCELLED IN ALL THE CORE ASSESSMENT AREAS- FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION, SOCIAL PROTECTION, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, PEACE AND ORDER AND OTHER ASSESSMENT ESSENTIAL AREAS- BUSINESS FRIENDLINESS AND COMPETITIVENESS, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, AND TOURISM, CULTURE AND THE ARTS.

• PASSING THE GOOD GOVERNANCE STANDARDS SET BY DILG INDICATES THAT THE PROVINCE OF AKLAN HAS BEEN STEADFAST IN ITS GOAL TO EFFICIENTLY DELIVER THE PUBLIC SERVICES NEEDED BY THE AKLANONS WITH INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

• THE PROVINCE WAS ALSO RECOGNIZED AS THE 2017 BEST PERFORMING PROVINCE IN REGION VI BY THE DILG REGIONAL OFFICE VI SEARCH FOR EXCELLENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE (EXCELL) WHEN IT WAS ADJUDGED AS THE CHAMPION IN ADMINISTRATIVE GOVERNANCE, CHAMPION IN SOCIAL GOVERNANCE, AND 1ST RUNNER-UP IN ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE. EXCELL IS AN AWARD THAT GIVES RECOGNITION TO LGUS THAT SHOWED EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE IN THE AREAS OF ADMINISTRATIVE, SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE.

• I SHARE THIS RECOGNITIONOF CONSISTENT EXCELLENCE WITH OUR 3,265 PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

• I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT IN DOING PUBLIC SERVICE, EXCELLENCE MUST BE A HABIT.

• IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT WE ALWAYS PRIORITIZE OUR HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT. THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT CAN’T SUCCEED IN ITS JOURNEY IF THE WORKFORCE IS NOT ENGAGED AND HAS NOT EMBRACED ITS MISSION AND HAS CLEAR APPRECIATION THAT THEIR INDIVIDUAL ROLES, NO MATTER HOW SMALL OR BIG, IS OF PRIMORDIAL IMPORTANCE.

• LET ME SHARE THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION REGION 6 TOOK NOTICE OF OUR EFFORTS AND ACKNOWLEDGED OUR  PROVINCIAL HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICE AS BENCHMARK IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, ESPECIALLY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CSC’S PROGRAM TO INSTITUTIONALIZE MERITOCRACY AND EXCELLENCE IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

• MOREOVER, LAST JULY 20, 2018, THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION CONFERRED TO THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF AKLAN THE PRIME-HRM BRONZE AWARD, THE HIGHEST AWARD GIVEN BY THE COMMISSION FOR 2017 AND 2018 TO A GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

• THIS AWARD WAS GIVEN TO THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF AKLAN FOR MEETING THE LEVEL 2 ACCREDITATION IN THE SYSTEMS, COMPETENCIES, AND PRACTICES IN MANAGING OUR HUMAN RESOURCES.

• IT IS NOTEWORTHY TO MENTION THAT THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF AKLAN IS THE FIRST AND ONLY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT IN WESTERN VISAYAS TO BE CONFERRED WITH SUCH AWARD.

• THIS MEANS THAT WE HAVE INSTITUTIONALIZED SYSTEMS ENSURING THAT OUR HUMAN RESOURCES ARE EQUIPPED WITH COMPETENCIES TO PERFORM THEIR JOB, AND THEIR WELFARE AND BENEFITS ARE TAKEN CARED OF.

• HEALTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PRIORITY OF OUR GOVERNANCE AND WE HAVE ALWAYS EMPHASIZED THAT, AS A CONTINUING COMMITMENT. OUR DIRECTION IS CONSTANT TOWARDS ACHIEVING OUR SHARED VISION OF A RESPONSIVE HEALTH SYSTEM FOR HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE AND EMPOWERED AKEANONS. 

• IN THE PAST YEAR, WE HAD A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT IN TERMS OF IMPROVING OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND WE HAVE MAXIMIZED THE ASSISTANCE OF OUR PARTNERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

• MAY I SPECIALLY THANK DOH REGIONAL DIRECTOR MARLYN CONVOCAR, DR. MAILA BERNABE AND THE REST OF YOUR TEAM FOR YOUR STRONG SUPPORT.

• THROUGH YOUR ASSISTANCE, WE WERE ABLE TO FORGE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ZUELLIG FAMILY FOUNDATION.  THE 18 MONTH PROVINCIAL LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE PROGRAM HAS REALLY CAPACITAT9ED ME AND MY TEAM TO BECOME BRIDGING LEADERS. 

• I AM VERY PRIVILEGED TO BE COACHED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE FOUNDATION, MR. ERNESTO GARILAO AND HIS TEAM. THROUGH THE VALUES OF OWNERSHIP, CO-OWNERSHIP AND CO-CREATION WITH OUR DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS, WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE A LOT OF GAINS IN OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

• ANOTHER IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIP IS WITH THE MAKATI MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION.   THANK YOU DR. VICTOR GISBERT, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FOUNDATION FOR ACCEPTING OUR REQUEST IN HELPING US IMPROVE THE OPERATIONS OF OUR EIGHT HOSPITALS.

• ONE OF THE INITIAL INTERVENTIONS THAT WASDONE THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP WAS TO DEVELOP A CULTURE OF CARE AND EMPATHY AMONGST OUR HEALTH PERSONNEL.  HENCE A PROGRAM FOR THE NURSES WAS DEVELOPED AND CONDUCTED BY THE TRAINING TEAM OF THE MAKATI MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL. 

• ALL OUR NURSES IN THE DR. RAFAEL S. TUMBUKON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AND THE CHIEF NURSES OF THE OTHER PERIPHERAL HOSPITALS WERE TRAINED TO ENHANCE THEIR CLINICAL COMPETENCIES AND STRENGTHENED THEIR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

• THROUGH THESE DIFFERENT PARTNERSHIPS AND OUR CONSTANT DIALOGUE WITH OUR MUNICIPAL MAYORS, MUNICIPAL HEALTH OFFICERS, HOSPITAL PERSONNEL AND DEPARTMENT HEADS, I AM PLEASED TO SHARE WITH YOU OUR SHARED ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN HEALTH. 

• FOR THE CURATIVE SIDE, OUR HOSPITALS ARE NOW FULLY COMPLIANT WITH THE DOH LICENSING AND ACCREDITATION STANDARDS.

• OUR PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL HAS NOW BEEN UPGRADED TO LEVEL 2 FROM A LEVEL 1 FACILITY.

• WE NO LONGER HAVE OUT PATIENT DEPARTMENT LEVEL HOSPITALS SINCE THE LIBACAO MUNICIPAL INFIRMARY AND CIRIACO S. TIROL HOSPITAL HAVE BEEN UPGRADED TO INFIRMARY LEVEL FACILITIES. 

• IN ADDITION, WE ALSO WANT TO PUSH FURTHER AND WANT TO UPGRADE OUR IBAJAY DISTRICT HOSPITAL, MALAY MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL AND CIRIACO S. TIROL HOSPITAL TO LEVEL 1 HOSPITAL FACILITIES. 

• BASED ON OUR STATISTICS, WE HAVE MADE IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR BED OCCUPANCY RATE. OUR PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL’S BED OCCUPANCY RATE HAS DECREASED FROM 219% IN 2016 TO 178% IN 2018, WHILE THE AVERAGE BED OCCUPANCY RATE OF OUR DISTRICT AND MUNICIPAL HOSPITALS HAVE INCREASED FROM 49% IN 2016 TO 73% IN 2018. IT IS CRUCIAL TO HAVE STRATEGIC IMPROVEMENT OF OUR PERIPHERAL HOSPITALS SO THAT WE CAN DECONGEST OUR PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL. 

• ANOTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT IS A NEWLY-BUILT HOSPITAL WING IN DRSTMH.  THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING HOUSES OUR NEW OUT PATIENT DEPARTMENT. IT IS EQUIPPED WITH A COMPUTERIZED QUEUING SYSTEM IN ORDER TO STREAMLINE AND HASTEN THE WAITING TIME OF OUR PATIENTS. 

• THE SURGERY AND ORTHOPEDIC WARD IS LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR WHILE THE PEDIA WARD AND PEDIA ICU ARE SITUATED ON THE 3RD FLOOR. 

• ALL THE WARD ROOMS OF THIS NEWLY CONSTRUCTED WING ARE FULLY AIRCONDITIONED AND DESIGNED TO HAVE A BETTER PATIENT EXPERIENCE. 

• IT IS REALLY MY DESIRE THAT OUR PATIENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE INDIGENTS WILL HAVE FINANCIAL RISK PROTECTION WHENEVER THEY GET SICK.

• TO ENSURE THAT THEY WILL NOT HAVE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES WHEN THEY SEEK HOSPITAL SERVICES, WE PARTNERED WITH PAYMAYA IN ORDER FORAKLANON INDIGENTS TO AVAIL OF THE FAMILY MEDICAL CARDS PRELOADED WITH 5,000 PESOS PER MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.   THEY CAN UTILIZE THESE CARDS TO PAY FOR THEIR INITIAL HOSPITAL EXPENSES. 

• BEYOND MY MANDATE ON THE CURATIVE CARE, I ALSO LOOKED FURTHER ON HOW TO BRIDGE THE GAPS IN THE PREVENTIVE AND PROMOTIVE ASPECTS OF THE HEALTH SYSTEM.

• WE HAVE EXPANDED THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE LOCAL HEALTH BOARD TO INCLUDE ALL THE MUNICIPAL HEALTH OFFICERS. 

• WE HAVE MADE IT AS A GOAL TO REDUCE MATERNAL DEATHS IN THE PROVINCE; HENCE, WE PRIORITIZED THE ACCREDITATION OF THE MUNICIPAL BIRTHING FACILITIES.  THERE IS NOW AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF LICENSED BIRTHING FACILITIES FROM 7 IN 2016 TO 10 IN 2018. 

• I ALSO SAW THE IMPORTANCE OF STRENGTHENING AND CAPACITATING OUR 2,928 FRONTLINE WORKERS, WHICH ARE THE BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS.  A CUSTOMIZED TRAINING MODULE WAS DEVELOPED AND A TRAINING TEAM WAS ESTABLISHED TO CONDUCT THE ROLL-OUTOF THE TRAINING TO ALL THE BHWS.  OTHER PRIORITY PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, TB, HIV, ACCIDENTS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ARE ALSO GIVEN IMPORTANCE.

• INFRASTRUCTURE IS A CORE RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVERNMENT AND WE HAVE BEEN VIGOROUS ON THIS FRONT. FOR 2017, THE TOTAL LENGTH OF 31.79 KILOMETERS OF PROVINCIAL ROADS AND SOME BARANGAY ROADS WERE CONCRETED, REHABILITATED AND IMPROVED WITH THE SIMULTANEOUS IMPLEMENTATION OF 26 PROJECTS FUNDED BOTH UNDER REGULAR AND EXTERNAL SOURCES.

• ALLOW ME TO UPDATE YOU THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED OR SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED MAJOR ROAD SECTIONS FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF OUR CONSTITUENCY:

• REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF BANGA-LIBACAO ROAD (WITH BRIDGES) - 12.90 KILOMETERS, UNDER DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE-PHILIPPINE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

• REHABILITATION OF MALINAO-MADALAG ROAD (PHASE 1)- 6.88 KILOMETERS, UNDER DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT-CONDITIONAL MATCHING GRANT TO PROVINCES

• REHABILITATION OF AND IMPROVEMENT OF COLONG-COLONG-TUL-ANG-RIZAL-NALIGUSAN-NAILE-SAN JOSE-MONLAQUE ROAD- 7.30 KILOMETERS, UNDER DILG-KALSADA PROGRAM

• FOR 2018, A TOTAL OF 11.41 KILOMETERS OF PCCP SECTIONS ARE TARGETED FOR COMPLETION AT THE END OF THE YEAR, WITH THE AMOUNT OF PROJECT CONTRACTS AMOUNTING TO 85.6 MILLION. THE TARGET INCLUDES THE REHABILITATION OF ACCESS ROADS IN BORACAY ISLAND WHICH WAS INITIALLY FUNDED WITH 20 MILLION.

• ALSO TO BE IMPLEMENTED THIS 2018 ARE THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS UNDER THE CONDITIONAL MATCHING GRANT FOR PROVINCES PROGRAM FOR ROAD REPAIR, REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN ADVERTISED FOR BIDDING:

• REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF BALETE-ARCANGEL-OGSIP-CALAMCAN-JULITA-LIBACAO ROAD (PHASE 1),6.225 KILOMETERS, WITH TOTAL FUNDING OF 43.5MILLION PESOS;

• REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF MALINAO-MADALAG ROAD(PHASE 2), 9.049 KILOMETERS, WITH TOTAL FUNDING OF 46.4 MILLION PESOS

• LIKEWISE, IT IS A FERVENT HOPE THAT THE LONG-AWAITED REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF LALAB—BAY-ANG—MAGPAG-ONG ROAD OF 4.197 KILOMETERS VALUED AT 69.6 MILLION COULD BE BID OUT THIS YEAR.  IT IS UNDER THE PHILIPPINE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FUNDED BY THE WORLD BANK AND WE ARE MOST WILLING TO BE ALONGSIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN PROVIDING COUNTERPART.

• ALL THESE EFFORTS OF IMPROVING OUR PROVINCIAL ROAD NETWORK IS TO PROVIDE THE SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR BETTER CONNECTIVITY OF OUR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS TO THE MARKETPLACE.

• ACCORDING TO THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, THERE IS AN INCREASE OF 20 PERCENT IN THE VOLUME OF RICE PRODUCTION IN 2017 AS COMPARED TO 2016 PRODUCTION DATA; 101,471 METRIC TONS IN 2016 AND 121,797 METRIC TONS IN 2017.

• THIS INCREASE IN BOTH YIELD PER HECTARE AND VOLUME OF PRODUCTION MADE THE PROVINCE RICE SUFFICIENCY LEVEL IMPROVE FROM 96% IN 2016 TO 103% IN 2017.

• THIS MEANS, THE VOLUME OF RICE PRODUCED LOCALLY IS ADEQUATE RELATIVE TO OUR TOTAL LOCAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSUMPTION.

• THE 2017 RICE INDUSTRY DEMAND AND SUPPLY SITUATION CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE SUBSTANTIAL PRODUCTION AND POSTHARVEST SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT IS EXTENDING IN THE RICE SECTOR.

• FOR 2017, THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF AKLAN ALLOCATED 10.0 M FOR THE SAID PROJECT WHICH WAS UTILIZED IN THE PROCUREMENT OF FARM MACHINERIES AND EQUIPMENT SUCH AS HAND TRACTORS, RICE THRESHERS, FLOATING TILLER, RICE REAPERS AND KNAPSACK SPRAYERS WHICH WERE AWARDED AND DISTRIBUTED TO THE RICE FARMERS’ ASSOCIATIONS. WE HAD OUR CEREMONIAL TURN-OVER TO OUR 100 FARMERS ASSOCIATION BENEFICIARIES LAST NOVEMEBR 21, 2017.

• ANOTHER 10.0 M WORTH OF FARM MACHINERIES PROJECT ARE INTENDED TO BE AWARDED TO THE NEXT BATCH OF RICE FARMERS ASSOCIATION THIS 2018 UNDER THE SAME PROGRAM.

• TO COMPLEMENT THESE EFFORTS, WE IMPLEMENTED THE 10 MILLION PESO CERTIFIED SEEDS AND FERTILIZER SUBSIDY PROGRAM. THIS ENSURES THAT CERTIFIED SEEDS AND FERTILIZER OF GOOD QUALITY,ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO OUR FARMERS AT A SUBSIDIZED PRICE. FROM MAY TO DECEMBER 2017, 128 FARMER ASSOCIATIONS IN AKLAN HAS ALREADY BENEFITTED FROM THE PROGRAM.

• ON APRIL 12, 2018, THE PROVINCE OF AKLAN RECEIVED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REGIONAL FIELD OFFICE VI, 92 FARM EQUIPMENT WHICH INCLUDES 15 FLOATING TILLERS, 50 RICE REAPERS, 15 PUMP & ENGINE SETS, 6 CORN SHELLERS AND 6 SHREDDER AMOUNTING TO A TOTAL OF P13 MILLION AS PART OF THE YOLANDA REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM.

• ANOTHER APPROACH THAT WE IMPLEMENTED IS OUR AKLAN PROVINCIAL GREENHOUSE, WHERE WE TRY TO RAISE AWARENESS ON THE VALUE OF TECHNOLOGY TO OUR AKLANON FARMERS. IT IS THE FIRST LGU OWNED AND OPERATED GREENHOUSE IN THE ENTIRE WESTERN VISAYAS WHICH SHOWCASES DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES IN FARMING SUCH AS HYDROPONICS, DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM, AND OFF SEASON FARM PRODUCTION OF HIGH VALUED CROPS.

• THE GREENHOUSE FACILITY HAS AN ALLOCATION OF ABOUT PHP 2.1 MILLION. IT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF A PROJECT THAT WILL SERVE AS A TRAINING CENTER AND A SCHOOL FOR FARMERS, K-12 STUDENTS, TECHNICIANS, AND AGRICULTURISTS WHO ARE INTERESTED TO LEARN INNOVATIONS AND BEST PRACTICES IN FARMING.

• I WOULD LIKE ALL OF US TO EMBRACE THE MIND-SET OF BEING AMBITIOUS IN OUR AGRICULTURE ENDEAVORS. WE ARE MOVING TOWARDS THE DIRECTION OF MAKING THE PROPOSED AKLAN PROVINCIAL AGRI-AQUA DEMONSTRATION FARM AND TRAINING CENTER INTO A COMPLETE AGRICULTURE LEARNING SCHOOL.”

• WE ARE HOPING TO INSPIRE OUR PROVINCEMATES TO GO BACK TO AGRICULTURE. THIS IS A PROMISING OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR AKLANON OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A BUSINESS WHERE THEYCAN PLACE THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY. FARMS OFFER A GOOD RATE OF RETURN OF INVESTMENT. THIS WILL ALSO ENHANCE THE FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM OF THE PROVINCE AND SUPPLY THE VEGETABLE REQUIREMENTS IN AKLAN, PARTICULARLY IN BORACAY.

• LAST APRIL 23, 2018, I APPROVED SP RESOLUTION NO. 2018-778 WHICH IN GIST, IS SEEKING NATIONAL SUPPORT AND RECOMMENDING VARIOUS INTEVENTIONS FOR STAKEHOLDERS, FARMERS AND FISHERFOLKS IN AKLAN IN THE LIGHT OF TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BORACAY ISLAND.

• I AM MUCH PLEASED TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE FROM THE AGRICULTURAL CREDIT POLICY COUNCIL INFORMING ME THAT THE DA-ACPC ADMINISTERED CREDIT PROGRAM CALLED PRODUCTION LOAN EASY ACCESS (PLEA) WHICH PROVIDES AFFORDABLE LOANS FOR SMALL FARMERS AND FISHERFOLKS THROUGH ACCREDITED CONDUITS HAS INCLUDED AKLAN AMONG ITS BENEFICIARIES NATIONWIDE.

• FOR AKLAN, THEY HAVE SO FAR APPROVED CREDIT FUND OF P39 MILLION FOR 5 PLEA ACCREDITED CONDUITS NAMELY, LIBACAO DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE, MADALAG DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE, SANDONA DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE, INTEGRATED BARANGAYS OF NUMANCIA (IBON) MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE, AND LEZO MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE. OUT OF THE SAID FUND, P9.63 MILLION LOANS HAVE ALREADY BEEN DISBURSED TO 377 SMALL FARMERS AND FISHERS THROUGH THE SAID CONDUIT. THEY FURTHER INFORMED US THAT THEY WILL ALSO SOON ROLL-OUT FARM/FISHERY MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM WHICH WILL BE IMPLEMENTED NATIONWIDE.

• THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF AKLAN IS PLEASED TO HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IN BRINGING FORTH THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WHERE 5,908 BENEFICIARIES WERE ENROLLED, 5,060 GRADUATED AND 3,984 WERE EVENTUALLY CERTIFIED FROM 2017 TO JULY 2018. SUCH INTERVENTIONS, WITH TOTAL FUND ALLOCATION AMOUNTING TO 94.8 MILLION PESOS FOR THE SAME PERIOD, ARE CONDUCTED INTENDING TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION TRAINING IN THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF OUR PROVINCE, AND THE COUNTRY.

• WE ARE ALSO BOOSTING OUR THRUST ESPECIALLY IN FURTHER EXPANDING THE ECONOMIC BASE OF AKLAN.

• THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE PROVINCIAL PESO, FIVE JOB FAIRS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VARIOUS AGENCIES SUCH AS DOLE, DILG AND DICT WERE CONDUCTED FROM 2017 TO JUNE 2018 WHERE A TOTAL OF 7,654 APPLICANTS REGISTERED FOR BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT. 98 EMPLOYERS PARTICIPATED IN OUR ACTIVITIES WHICH EVENTUALLY RESULTED TO THE EMPLOYMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF 918 AKLANONS.

• WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE SOON TO BE CONSTRUCTED AKLAN TOURISM AND TRADE INVESTMENT AND PROMOTIONS CENTER.

• THIS “STATE OF THE ART” CENTER WILL FACILITATE “EASE OF DOING BUSINESS” IN AKLAN, SERVING AS A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR INVESTORS, REPOSITORY OF ALL DATA AND PLANS RELEVANT TO INVESTMENT POTENTIALS OF THE PROVINCE.

• IT WILL HOUSE THE PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICE, LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION OFFICE (LEIPO), AKLAN INVESTMENT BOARD, AND THE AKLAN ICT COUNCIL OFFICES, CONFERENCE ROOMS AVAILABLE FOR USE OF INVESTORS, AMPLE SPACE AT THE LOBBY FOR EXHIBIT OF AKLAN PRODUCTS, AND A 50-SEATER AUDIO-VISUAL ROOM FOR PRESENTATIONS AND TRAININGS.

• WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA, CHAIR OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, WHO UPON THE INITIATIVE AND PERSISTENT FOLLOW-UP OF MS. GABRIELLE CALIZO- QUIMPO, OUR PROVINCIAL CONSULTANT FOR TOURISM AND TRADE AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AKLAN ICT COUNCIL, HAS FACILITATED THE INITIAL APPROPRIATION OF 20 MILLION PESOS TO START THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CENTER. IT IS NOW IN THE PROCUREMENT STAGE AND WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY THE DPWH IN COORDINATION WITH THE PEO.

• LIKEWISE, I AM HAPPY TO INFORM YOU THAT OUR EFFORTS TO PROMOTE AKLAN AS A VIABLE LOCATION FOR THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT (ITBPM) INDUSTRY IS EVIDENTLY GAINING GROUNDS.

• SINCE THE CREATION OF THE AKLAN ICT COUNCIL IN OCTOBER 2016, IT VIGOROUSLY  WORKED ON DEVELOPING OUR  LOCAL TALENTS IN COOPERATION WITH THE ACADEME BY OFFERING  MORE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RELATED COURSES, UPDATING THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM, PROVIDING THE NECESSARY TOOLS SUCH AS MODERN COMPUTER LABORATORIES AND SPEECH CLINICS AND MAKING THEM MORE AVAILABLE TO THE STUDENTS, AND CONDUCTED AGGRESSIVE PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN OF THE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ITBPM INDUSTRY ACKNOWLEDGED AS THE FASTEST AND BIGGEST GENERATOR OF EMPLOYMENT TODAY.

• DUE TO THE DILIGENT EFFORTS OF THE COUNCIL, THE ICT INDUSTRY IN AKLAN IS REAPING GOOD RESULTS IN TERMS OF TALENT RECRUITMENT BY BPO COMPANIES FROM NEIGHBORING PROVINCES. TO DATE, THERE ARE 88 AKLANONS, OR 24% OF TOTAL GRADUATES OF BS COMPUTER SCIENCE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT IN AKLAN FOR 2017- 2018, WHO WERE HIRED IN BPOS OPERATING IN ILOILO AND ROXAS CITY.

• WHILE WE ARE STILL NEGOTIATING TO IMPROVE THE INTERNET CONNECTIVITY IN THE PROVINCE AS WELL AS ENCOURAGING OUR LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND DEVELOPERS IN AND OUTSIDE OF AKLAN TO PUT UP THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO HOUSE FUTURE LOCATORS, WE ALREADY MANAGED TO ATTRACT POTENTIAL LOCATORS SUCH AS TELETECH AND TASK USWHO CAME TO AKLAN TO EVALUATE AVAILABLE TALENTS AND SPACE.

• ONE INDUSTRY PLAYER WHO CAME TO AKLAN RECENTLY IS THE ESL (ENGLISH AS SECOND LANGUAGE) COMPANY FROM CHINA NAMED ACADEMIC SOCIETY (ACADSOC). IT OFFERS ONLINE ENGLISH TUTORIAL JOBSCATERING TO MAINLAND CHINESE WHICH HAS A DEMAND OF AROUND 150 THOUSAND JOBS FROM THE PHILIPPINES RIGHT NOW.

• WE ARE SURPRISED BUT PLEASED TO LEARN THAT THERE ARE ALREADY SOME 50 EMPLOYED HOMEBASED ONLINE TEACHERS IN AKLAN AND ONE RECENT INVESTOR FROM CHINA HAS INTERVIEWED AND EMPLOYED HOMEBASED ONLINE TUTORS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEIR 1ST VISIT.

• TO FURTHER INTENSIFY OUR MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS EFFORTS, WE HAVE COINED A MARKETING SLOGAN  WHICH WE WILL USE IN ALL OUR PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS AND ACTIVITIES

“DOING BUSINESS IN PARADISE”

• THIS MARKETING SLOGAN WAS PRESENTED DURING THE LAUNCHING OF DIGITALCITIESPH SUMMIT 2018 IN MANILA ORGANIZED BY DICT.

• THANK YOU AKLAN ICT COUNCIL FOR YOUR DETERMINED AND PRODUCTIVE EFFORTS.

• LET ME CLOSE THESE ADDRESS BY SHARING TO YOU MORE POSITIVE STORIES OF OUR GOVERNANCE

• YOUR EARS ARE BETTER OFF HEARING GOOD NEWS LIKE:

1. THE REGIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL   AWARDED THE GAWAD KALASAG BEST LOCAL DRRM COUNCIL TO AKLAN’S PROVINCIAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT COUNCIL. THIS IS IN APPRECIATION OFOUR EFFORTS DURING EMERGENCIES, BE IT NATURAL OR INDUCED.

2. WE HAVE 345 GRADUATED STUDENTS FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2017-2018 OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. ONE OF THE SCHOLARS, EJAY PAROHINOG EXEMPLARILY GRADUATED AS CLASS VALEDICTORIAN AND MAGNA CUM LAUDE OF AKLAN STATE UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS.

I HAVE HEARD OF HIS HUMBLE EXPERIENCES WHICH HE POSTED ON FACEBOOK. HIS STORY IS ENOUGH INSPIRATION TO HIS FELLOW INDIGENT STUDENTS TO NEVER GIVE-UP ON THEIR DREAM IN ORDER TO ATTAIN THAT MUCH AWAITED DIPLOMA.

ALL OF US IN THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND YOU, OUR TAXPAYERS ARE BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN PART OF HIS JOURNEY.

IT IS ALSO NOTEWORTHY TO SHARE, THAT ONE OF OUR NEWLY GRADUATE STUDENTS, JEMUEL GARCIAIII, OF AKLAN STATE UNIVERSITY KALIBO IS ONE OF THE TEN (10) REGIONAL AWARDEES FROM THE WESTERN VISAYAS REGION IN THE SEARCH FOR 10 OUTSTANDING STUDENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES.

3. THE AKLAN COMMUNITY-BASED MAINTENANCE CONTRACTING SYSTEM PROJECTS WHICH I HAVE SHARED WITH YOU IN THE PREVIOUS SOPA AS A BEST PRACTICE OF OUR GOVERNANCE IS NOW BEING INCLUDED IN THE BOOK OF INNOVATORS AS ONE OF THE BEST GOVERNANCE MODELS AT THE GRASSROOTS, A SOON-TO BE PUBLISHED BOOK BY THE UNION OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES OR ULAP.

THIS FIRST-IN-THE-PHILIPPINES INNOVATIVE PROJECT HAS ALREADY MAINTAINED WITHIN FAIR TO GOOD CONDITION A TOTAL OF 107.84 KILOMETERS OUT OF THE TOTAL LENGTH OF 283.774 KILOMETERS PROVINCIAL ROAD NETWORK.

WE HAVE ALREADY EMPLOYED 528 COMMUNITY-BASED WORKERSWHO ARE MOSTLY WOMEN FOR THIS PROGRAM.

4. THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON WOMEN (PCW) ALSO RE-CERTIFIED AKLAN PROVINCE AS ONE OF THE FIVE CHOSEN PROVINCES IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY AS PCW’S GAD LOCAL LEARNING HUB FROM 2018-2020. THE GLASS MARKERS ARE SYMBOLS OF THE PCW’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AKLAN, SPECIFICALLY THE AKLAN COMPREHENSIVE CENTER FOR WOMEN (DAEANGPAN IT KABABAYEN-AN) AND MEN OPPOSED TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN EVERYWHERE (MOVE) AKLAN AS BEST PRACTICES IN GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT WORTH EMULATING.

5. LUCIO TAN’S MABUHAY MARITIME EXPRESS TRANSPORT INCORPORATED HAS ALREADY STARTED CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN THE 120- HECTARE RECLAMATION PROJECT IN BARANGAY POOK, KALIBO. THIS PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WILL BE IN THREE PHASES: 1. FERRY PORT TERMINAL; 2. HOTELS; AND 3. BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING ESTABLISHMENTS. THIS WILL FURTHER BOLSTER THE ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE OF KALIBO IN THE NOT SO DISTANT FUTURE.

• ALL THE PUBLIC SERVICE WE DO, WE DON’T USE FOR LIP-SERVICE. WE SIMPLY MUST DO GOOD FOR WE ARE JUDGED FOR OUR GOOD WORKS.

• ABO GID NGA SAEAMAT.

• GOD BLESS THE PROVINCE AND THE PEOPLE OF AKLAN!