Aklan SP Supports Ramos’ Birth Centennial Commemoration

Kalibo, Aklan- During its 20th regular session on December 1, 2010, the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan has passed a resolution supporting the activities and programs commemorating the 2011 centennial birth anniversary of the late Godofredo P. Ramos, the “Father of Aklan”.

The former Aklan Governor and Congressman, delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention, former Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, an advocate and champion of parliamentary form of government and the annexation of the Sabah territory of Malaysia to the territorial jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines, the late Godofredo P. Ramos, will be marking his centennial birth anniversary on November 8, 2011.

Said resolution was mainly authored by the Hon. Victor M. Garcia and co-sponsored by the Hon. Rodson F. Mayor.

As Ramos’ centennial birth anniversary approaches, the Aklan Historical Society has spearheaded moves and series of activities to commemorate the once in a lifetime event to bestow unparalleled honor to the man acknowledged as the main architect of the independence of Aklan and has launched the centennial commemoration at the Museo it Akean in Kalibo on November 8, 2010, on his 99th birth anniversary.

In resolution No. 2010-136, the SP expressed full support to the Aklan Historical Society, which in close coordination and cooperation with the Godofredo P. Ramos Memorial Foundation and the Aklan Provincial Tourism Council, has proposed the holding of commemorative activities starting next year to culminate on November 8, 2011, as follows, among others:

a. Printing, selling and circulating Centennial Commemorative Car Plates with “AKLAN” as the main marking, to be sold in the Province of Aklan, elsewhere in the country and abroad;

b. With the approval of the Philippine Postal Corporation, printing and selling of centennial commemorative mailing stamps with the picture of the late Godofredo P. Ramos as the main marking;

c. The awarding of the Godofredo P. Ramos Leadership Medals to deserving graduating pupils, high school and college students all over Aklan

d. Publication and circulation of literature and materials on the life of the late Godofredo P. Ramos for distribution to several campuses in the Province of Aklan;

e. The holding of commemorative lectures and feature writing contests among students and campuses in the Province on the life of the late Godofredo P. Ramos.

The SP stressed that it is incumbent upon all Aklanons to carve a niche in both their minds and hearts the memory of this great Aklanon whose eloquence and illustriousness has brought not only to himself, but the Province of Aklan and Aklanons to the pedestal occupied by the great leaders of the country where the late Godofredo P. Ramos has displayed his brilliance and wisdom respected and revered by his peers in the national and international scene.

The Late Godofredo P. Ramos displayed a rare brand of leadership qualities, skills and capabilities and intellectual prowess of an Aklanon not only in the Halls of the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines but also in the field of foreign diplomacy and the Halls of the United Nations, the SP resolution emphasized.

A non-working public holiday is declared in the province of Aklan in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Ramos by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No.194 of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on April 25, 2002.