Healthy Aklan 2010
1. Transparent and ethical governance
Graft and corruption are pervasive. There is lack of check and balance in projects due to single party rule similar to that in old communist states. Some 40% of government funds go to the pockets of corrupt officials.
¬ Condemn graft and corruption! No to “SOPs”!
¬ Work for transparent and ethical government transactions.
ν Open government transactions to the public for scrutiny.
ν Institutionalize participation of private watchdogs, civil society and NGOs in government affairs especially in monitoring projects.
¬ Prioritize people’s basic needs and concerns especially that of the farmers, women, children and youth.
¬ Prioritize programs that are strategic to Aklan’s development
ν Provide stable electric power; total electrification of barangays
ν Provide potable water to all towns
2. Livelihood and jobs for the people
Some 50% of Aklanons of working age, mostly the rural poor, are unemployed or underemployed.
¬ Create jobs through:
ν Support for farmers’ agricultural activities like vegetable and rice production and livestock raising.
ν Development of local enterprises like food processing and handicraft.
ν Development of sustainable tourism industry.
ν Providing technical, financial and marketing support for local entrepreneurs and businessmen.
¬ Work for a stable electric power supply in the province. This will spur businesses to grow and generate employment.
3. Health for the poor, health for all
Health is a basic human right. Sadly, health services in Aklan are biased against the poor. The provincial hospital is now run as a business enterprise devoid of social responsibility for the poor and less fortunate. As a result, the poor Aklanons suffer horribly in the so-called modern hospital.
¬ Make health and medical services available and affordable.
¬ Establish a Socialized Health Care Program. It is the responsibility of the government to provide health and medical services not only to those who can afford but more so to those who can not.
¬ Establish an People’s Health Care Fund that will cater primarily to indigents. The fund for the program will be contributed by the people and government. The program will tap health providers as partners to make medical and hospital needs accessible to the poor.
4. Food security through sustainable agriculture
Food production lags behind the need of the people and the tourism industry. There is lack of program and support for farmers’ initiatives in food production. The food needs of tourism industry are increasing but the province cannot supply them. Vegetables and livestock are imported from other provinces.
¬ Implement sustainable agriculture and fisheries program. Encourage organic farming and other methods that are environment-friendly.
¬ Support farmers’ initiatives for self-reliant food production and encourage productivity in order to meet the food needs of tourism industry especially the needs of Boracay.
¬ Provide farmers with training on technology and capital subsidy for food production.
¬ Provide credit and technical assistance for entrepreneurs venturing to large-scale food production projects.
5. Sustainable tourism and environment
Aklan tourism is overly focused on Boracay. Meanwhile, environment suffers degradation.
¬ Develop tourism that benefits all Aklanons, not just the rich few.
¬ Boracay must have a blue print for development that is sustainable taking into consideration the carrying capacity of the island.
¬ Develop other tourism destinations in the province.
¬ Implement sustainable and planned utilization of natural resources.
¬ Work for an effective integrated waste management program.
¬ Push for Aklan River Watershed Rehabilitation and Development.
¬ Institutionalize environmental protection. Chart an Environment Code of the Province.
3-Point Call to Action
- No to corruption, yes to clean government!
- Livelihood for the people!
- Health and medical services for the poor!
- Health and medical services for the poor!
Healthy Aklan 2010
