Feature: PGMA’s SONA targets delivered

by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan (28 July) — The province of Aklan, which is a component of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) from Caticlan, Malay, Aklan to the provincial boundary at Cabangila, Altavas, is a big beneficiary of one of the President’s delivered SONA targets.

Caticlan, Malay, Aklan is a jump-off point to Boracay Island, Aklan’s tourism jewel and one of the country’s top tourist destination. It is host to Caticlan Jetty Port and Passenger Terminal, earnings and revenues of which are much enhanced by the RORO boats that ply the route from Cubao, Pasay and other places of origins such as Zamboanga, passing Caticlan going to Iloilo and other provinces in Western Visayas and vice versa.

In 2008, the Caticlan Jetty Port and the Cagban Jetty Port in Boracay Island collected a total revenue of P77,327,819 million, registering an increase of 87 percent from 2007 actual collection of P41.4 million.

Provincial officials in Aklan led by Governor Carlito Marquez believe that the big increase in revenues is due to efficient and effective collection of terminal as well as rolling fees. The turn-over to the province of the Philippine Ports Authority’s newly-constructed port, enabled the Caticlan Jetty Port to have 3 ramps, serving more RORO vessels plying the various routes connecting the islands of the country from Mindanao and Luzon to the Visayas, ferrying in more tourists, visitors, travelers, businessmen, vacationers and many more to Aklan and nearby provinces and bringing them back to their places of origin at minimal transportation expenses, stimulating business and tourism.

The President’s SONA targets could be best remembered through the acronym BEAT THE ODDS, each letter having a specific meaning or program to improve the lives of the Filipinos – Balanced Budget, Education for All, Automated Elections, Transportation and Digital Infrastructure, Terminate Hostilities with MILF and NPA, Healing the Wounds of EDSA, Electricity and Water for All, Opportunities for Livelihood and 10 Million Jobs, Decongest Metro Manila, and Develop Subic and Clark.

The SRNH, of which Aklan is a beneficiary, is under Transportation and Infrastructure, now having 30 operational RORO ports linking the archipelago, boosting business and tourism. (PIA)