Already a first class province starting this year, the provincial government of Aklan under the leadership of incumbent Governor Jose Enrique M. Miraflores, is now operating on a P2,989,341.075.00 annual budget this year.
This after the 19th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan led by Vice Governor Atty. Reynaldo M. Quimpo, passed the executive budget during its 118th Regular Session on December 16, 2024.
Marathon budget briefing and hearings were held on November 20, 21, 22 and November 26, 2024, after Governor Miraflores submitted the proposed executive budget on October 16, 2024. The passage was through an enabling Appropriation Ordinance No. 2024-004.
Upon passage, the signing ceremony followed with the Presiding Officer, Vice Governor Quimpo and all Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members in full attendance affixing their attestation signatures followed by the approving signature of Governor Miraflores.
Seventy percent (70%) of the total annual budget, or P2.084 billion, is under the Regular Fund while thirty percent (30%), or P905 million is under the Economic Enterprise Development Department Fund.
As in the previous years, Social Services got the biggest chunk of the budget with total appropriations of P1.309 billion, followed by Economic Services with 29 percent, or the total budgetary allocations of P869.273 million, while General Public Services is allocated 27 percent of the budget, or P810.457 million.
Aklan Province was reclassified as a first class LGU by virtue of Republic Act No. 11964 as implemented by Department of Finance Administrative Order No. 074-2024, a category upgrading from second class after the provincial government has realized average annual income of P1.6 billion or more during the last three budget/fiscal year.
Aklan province has long qualified to become first class since the time of former Governor Carlito S. Marquez, former Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, the young governor’s father, who will be running for Congressman of the Second Congressional District of Aklan (Western Aklan) come May 2025 mid-term election. Incumbent Congressman Carlito S. Marquez’ son, Jess will be running for the congressional seat to be left by his last termer father in the First Congressional District.
Last termer Vice Governor Atty. Reynaldo M. Quimpo, meanwhile, will be sliding down to run as Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member in the East District during the May 2025 local election. In his stead, Balete, Aklan Mayor Dexter Mationg Calizo will be running for Vice Governor. Dexter is the nephew of former Congressman and former Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo Quimpo, wife of the incumbent Vice Governor.
SP Members who affixed their attestation to the 2025 Annual Budget of the province are: Nemesio P. Neron, Mark V. Quimpo, Mark L. Bautista, Teddy C. Tupas, and Apolinar Cleope of the First District (Eastern Aklan); Jay E. Tejada, Romeo M. Dalisay, Jupiter G. Galenero, Plaridel Solidum and Bayani M. Cordova of the Second District (Western Aklan); Rolly O. Equina of the Philippine Councilors’ League, Ralf A. Tolosa of the Liga ng Mga Barangay, and, Edmundo M. Tolentino Jr. of the Sangguniang Kabataan.
Except for Tejada, Neron, who are last termers and the sectoral representatives in the SP, all are running for reelection in their respective districts.
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