PGMA to grace Aklan's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Kalibo, Aklan - President Arroyo will be in Aklan for her second visit this year as the province turns gold on April 25.
Her visit was confirmed by Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez at the meeting with concerned national government and provincial heads of offices to finalize arrangements and preparations for the celebration which was also attended by Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores.
One of the main activities the President will attend to on her visit here is the inauguration of the P139 million expanded, rehabilitated and upgraded Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH), Aklan's provincial hospital.
Governor Marquez said the hospital project involved the construction of a three-storey building for additional 86 beds and the procurement of hospital equipment and furnishings financed under the Municipal Development Fund Office-Local Government Finance and Development Project (MDFO-LOGOFIND).
Marquez also said the expansion of the hospital will be a major development in "our health services program and will mainly benefit the poor, a major concern of Pres. Arroyo's administration."
"It will also be the flagship of the province' recently-launched Economic Enterprise Development Program," he said.
The governor also emphasized that the hospital's expansion will always be remembered as an achievement of Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores of Aklan's Lone District, as it was during his time as governor that the province and the MDFO-LOGOFIND entered into a MOA to provide a loan for the project.
PGMA's first visit to Aklan this year was on January 14, which coincided with the celebration of the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival. That time, she promised to release P55 million for the installation of an Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Kalibo Airport to cater to direct flights of ASEAN tourists.
Gov. Marquez said this fund was already released and the installation of the ILS will soon start.
Aklan became a separate province when on April 25, 1956, President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bill separating Aklan from Capiz, which became Republic Act 1414. The bill was filed by then Congressman Godofredo P. Ramos, hailed as the "Father of Aklan".
Other activities for the golden anniversary celebration of the province include the Goodwill Match between Aklan and Capiz on Chess and Boxing and other competitions, Inter-Municipal Sportsfest, Provincial Conference on Aklan History, Culture and Society, 1st Governor Carlito S. Marquez Cup (Shooting Competition), Tsibugan Sa Kapitolyo (Food Festival), Aklan Piña and Fiber Festival and Agro-Industrial Trade Fair, and1st Information, Communication & Technology (ICT) Annual Summit and Exhibits.
On April 25, a Thanksgiving Mass at the Kalibo Cathedral will be held followed by the Civic and Military Parade, Commemorative Program at the ABL Sports Complex with PGMA as Keynote Speaker, Awarding Ceremonies for Outstanding Aklanons 2006, Awarding of Sportsfest winners and fireworks display in the evening.
The celebration will be capped by the "Aninag": Crafts, Culture and Folkways Fashion Show at the ABL Sports Complex and the Awarding Ceremonies of the 7th Piña and Fiber Festival on April 30.
PGMA will also be visiting on April 25 the provinces of Romblon and Antique.
(VGVillanueva/PIA-Aklan)