Province Now Imposes Charges on the use of Aklan Sports Facilities

Kalibo, Aklan- Designed to be able to generate revenues from the multi-million sports facilities newly built at the Aklan Sports Complex located at Calangcang, Makato, Aklan, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan has already imposed fees and charges for its use.
In General Ordinance No. 2010-04, passed by the body during its fourteenth (14) regular session last Wednesday, the Aklan SP fixed the rate of rentals or lease on the use of the complex’s outdoor basketball court, outdoor volleyball court, football/softball field, olympic size swimming pool, tennis courts track oval, sepak takraw court, main grandstand, office spaces.
The ordinance also charges vendors using the premises of the complex during sports events and those posting advertisements and installing advertisements within the area.
Aklanon athletes using the complex’s facilities for regional, national international sports competition are exemplified from the charges.
Charges for the use of the facilities are being imposed for those who are: on training or in practice; international, national, regional and local sportfest; corporate sportsfest and school-based sports competitions.
The Aklan Sports Complex in Calangcang, Makato was inaugurated on time for use during the Regional Athletic Association Meet on Western Visayas last March when Aklan hosted the regional sports event.
Its construction and completion was mainly financed from bank borrowings of the provincial government of Aklan.

Aklan SP to Conduct Public Hearing on Singing of the Aklan Hymn in All Ceremonies/Functions in Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan. Spearheaded by the Committee on Law, Rules and Ordinances chaired by Hon. Selwyn C. Ibarreta with Hon. Rodson F. Mayor and Hon. Victor Manuel M. Garcia as members, the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan is all set to hold a public hearing on singing of the Aklan Hymn in All Ceremonies/Functions in Aklan

The public hearing will be held on Monday October 18, 2010 at the SP Session Hall, Provincial Capitol starting at 9:00 o’clock in the morning as agreed by the body during its 14th regular session on October 11, 2010.

SP Member Victor Manuel M. Garcia of the western district is proposing to make mandatory the singing of the Aklan Hymn in all flag raising ceremonies, official and formal functions and activities of both government and private offices and institutions throughout the Province of Aklan.

Through Resolution No. 2010-043 passed on March 4, 2010, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan has officially adopted both the composition of Dr. Jesse M. Gomez, Schools Division Superintendent of Roxas City, the “Among Akean” as the official Aklan Hymn and the “Hala Bira, Akean” as the official Aklan March. The Aklan SP itself has already institutionalized the singing/playing of the Aklan Hymn in all its sessions, ceremonies and programs.

Garcia said he has noted that only few offices, institutions and organizations, including the school system in Aklan, are singing/playing the Aklan Hymn in their flag raising ceremonies, official and formal functions, activities and programs.

Hence, his proposed ordinance now under SP consideration titled, “An Ordinance Making It Mandatory in the Whole Province of Aklan for all Government Offices, Local and National, Schools at all Levels, Public and Private, Institutions, Organizations, and the like, the Singing/Playing of the Aklan Hymn In All Flag Raising Ceremonies, Official and Formal Functions, Activities and Programs Which Also Require the Singing/Playing of the Philippine National Anthem.”

Garcia stressed that patriotism and nationalism do not only signify love and loyalty to the country and flag but is also inclusive of a citizen’s love of his own home province and community of origin, in the case of Aklanons, love and loyalty to Aklan Province.

He added that the Aklan Hymn and the Aklan March project the Aklanon unique identity, its traditions, culture and history, geography and scenic attractions and its singing/playing in official and formal functions, activities and programs will instill the Aklanon brand of nationalism and patriotism in the present and future Aklanon generations.

AKLESSA Braces for Regional Confab of WV Sanggunian Secretaries

Kalibo, Aklan- Aklan sanggunian secretaries are now in the thick of preparation for the forthcoming Regional Assembly of the Regional League of Secretaries to the Sanggunian-VI, Inc. scheduled at the Boracay Holiday Resort on October 28-30, 2010.

Al Dela Cruz, Sangguniang Bayan Secretary of the town of Balete and President of the Aklan League of Secretaries to the Sanggunian, said all secretaries and their staff in Aklan composing the Aklan League of Secretaries to the Sanggunian (AKLESSA) join hands to ensure the successful staging of the regional convention.

Odon S. Bandiola, Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan and his secretariat staff has thrown their full support to the said undertaking, dela cruz added.

Bearing the theme, “Governance Performance in Local Legislation, a shared Responsibility,” convention topics of the assembly are: Local Legislation; Critical in Administrative Governance; Tracking System, Vital for Outstanding Legislative Performance; Electronic Local Governance Performance Management System to include the Presentation of Effectively Legislated and Enforced Development Codes and the Presentation of Functional Tracking System.

The assembly likewise will review the Manual of Operations of the Philippine League of Secretaries to the Sanggunian, Inc. (PLEASES) and to propose amendments to the Manual.

Said forum will also tackle preparations for the 15th Anniversary and National Convention of PLEASES scheduled on June 1 to 4, 2011 at Iloilo City.

Regular Sanggunian Secretaries composing the AKLESSA are: Odon S. Bandiola, SP Secretary; Al Dela Cruz, Balete SB Secretary; Altavas SB Secretary Jenrose T. Dalida, Banga SB Secretary Joly B. Bolivar, Batan SB Secretary Dennis T. Reyes, Buruanga SB Secretary Napoleon I. Prado, Ibajay SB Secretary Mujane Begonia C. Miroy, Kalibo SB Secretary Diane T. Fegarido, Lezo SB Secretary Claire R. Sabar, Libacao SB Secretary Rey Z. Orbista, Madalag SB Secretary Leslie D. Gonzales, Makato SB Secretary Dan G. Hing, Malay SB Secretary Concordia S. Alcantara, Malinao SB Secretary Lilian I. Iquina, Nabas SB Secretary Rexie G. Flores, New Washington SB Secretary Mars C. Regalado, Numancia SB Secretary Judy M. Tansinco and Tangalan SB Secretary Luchie T. Molo.

Aklan SP Acts on Municipal Budgets

Kalibo, Aklan- On its 13th regular session last Wednesday, the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan has declared operative one (1) annual general fund budget and three (3) supplemental budgets of Aklan’s component municipalities.

Declared operative in its entirety is the FY 2010 Annual General Fund Budget of the municipality of Nabas embodying total appropriations of P46, 921,363.28 for the operations of its municipal government.

The provincial Local Finance Committee (PLFC) however disallowed any increase in appropriations for Personal Services as the said LGU has already exceeded by about P1, 303,793.96 or 5.89% the statutory Personal Services Limitations.

Also approved by the provincial legislative body are the supplemental budgets of the municipalities of Buruanga, Makato and Tangalan.

Supplemental Budget No.1 of Buruanga for CY 2010 carries total appropriations of P2,894,044.00, the Supplemental Budget No.1 of Makato provides total appropriations of P1, 311,887.00 while the Supplemental Budget No.1 of Tangalan embodies total appropriations of P2, 064, 875.00.

These supplemental budgets are normally funded out of increase in the Internal Revenue Allotment share of local government units in Aklan.

Still under review by the SP Committee on Finance, Appropriations, Budget and Ways and Means and the PLFC is another supplemental budget of the town of Batan with total appropriations of P1, 500,731.17.

Likewise, under review by the PLFC is Supplemental Budget No.1 CY 2010, of the town of New Washington carrying total appropriations of P3, 026,879.00.

SP Calls for Blood Banking Facilities

Kalibo, Aklan. The Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan during its 13th regular session last Wednesday, finally passed a resolution urgently requesting Governor Carlito S. Marquez for the establishment of blood banking facilities at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH).

Mainly authored by SP Member Victor Manuel M. Garcia, Resolution No. 2010-092 stressed that the provincial government of Aklan must now give equal priority to this particular health related problem of Aklan like any other infrastructure economic and entrepreneurial programs and projects of the provincial government of Aklan must now give equal priority to this particular health related problem of Aklan like any other infrastructure, economic and entrepreneurial programs and projects of the provincial government.

A smaller capacity blood bank facility, according to Garcia, requires appropriations of about P3.8 Million only requiring equipment like a brand new blood bank refrigerator, brand new plasma freezer, brand new portable automatic sealer, brand new pharmaceutical refrigerator, brand new blood collection mixer, brand new biomedical freezer and brand new refrigerated centrifuge.

A bigger capacity blood bank facility calls for some P4.9 Million worth of equipment as stated above.

It was also emphasized in the said resolution that the area supposed to house the blood bank facilities and equipment must follow the Manual Standards of the DOH

A duly licensed physician certified in clinical pathology, certified in blood transfusion and likewise certified in anatomic pathology must head the blood bank. Same will also require at least four medical technologists in shift for 24 hours, a trained/qualified Donor Recruitment Officer and a qualified and trained medical technologist as Quality Assurance Officer.

Meanwhile, the proposed ordinance of Hon. Garcia making mandatory the singing/playing of the Aklan Hymn in all flag raising ceremonies, official and formal activities in both government and private sectors, to include schools, was referred to the SP Committee on Laws, Rules, and Ordinances chaired by Hon. Selwyn C. Ibarreta for review and evaluation.

Aklan to Develop Lambingan Beach

Kalibo, Aklan- The provincial government of Aklan is poised to develop the Lambingan Beach in the shoreline boundary of barangay Pook and Andagao in Kalibo as a possible alternate tourist attraction in the capital town.

This after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan has authored through Resolution No. 2010-094 Governor Carlito S. Marquez to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Prime Holdings, Inc. and Blue Chip Builders, Inc. for both parties to jointly introduce infrastructure facilities aimed at developing the Lambingan Beach.

Earlier, Marquez has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with both corporations with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Prime Holdings, Inc. and Blue Chip Builders, Inc. committing themselves to donate road right of way within their property from barangay Pook to Lambingan Beach and an additional 5,000 square meters near the beach area to be used by the province in constructing tourism facilities therein.

The Province commits itself to construct a concrete bridge to replace the temporary bridge leading to Lambingan beach and to erect structures like a jetty port, a Provincial Tourism Office and a showroom of Aklan products to promote the tourism potentials of Aklan particularly Kalibo.

The province has to shoulder the cost of transferring the donated properties in the name of the provincial government while the donors must be consulted on whatever project or development maybe introduced in the donated properties.

Same resolution has also authorized Marquez to accept the donations in the name of the Province.

Lambingan Beach used to be frequented by local tourists in the past and is expected to revive its own luster once infrastructure and facilities are established in the area.

Aklan SP Finally Allows Vendors to Use Toting Reyes as Flea Market

Kalibo, Aklan- In General Ordinance No. 2010-003, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan has finally granted the request of the local government unit of Kalibo to utilize portion the Toting Reyes Street along Kalibo Public Market every Sunday morning as vending area of ambulant vendors, and farmers.

Mainly authored by SP Member Rodson F. Mayor and co-sponsored by all SP Members, same ordinance class for temporary closure from corner XIX Martyrs Street to corner Roxas Avenue Extension of Toting Reyes Street from 4:00 o’clock in the morning of Sunday but not to exceed to 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon.

The temporary Sunday morning closure of the said road is only effective for one year from approval of the ordinance and maybe extended upon approval by the Governor of the request for extension of Kalibo.

Same ordinance prescribed safeguards for the usage of the road as vending area, such as: only root crops, vegetables, fruits and dry goods except “ukay-ukay” shall be sold in the area; LGU Kalibo shall ensure that sanitation and the smooth flow of traffic shall be properly observed and maintained and that contingency for ambulance and fire trucks to pass in case of emergency shall be provided.

SP General Ordinance No. 2010-003 effectively modified the existing ordinance of the Kalibo SB on the closure of roads within its territorial jurisdiction.