Mother of all RP festivals
KALIBO, Aklan — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo spiritedly declared the Kalibo Ati-Atihan as the "mother of all Philippine native festivals" and billed Aklan’s Boracay as the country’s "national treasure."
In making the strongest promotional pitch to project Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan and Boracay as the premier tourism destinations of the country, President Arroyo placed the celebration and Boracay island at the center of the country’s booming tourism industry.
As if to emphasize her declaration here an unprecedented statement, President Arroyo even joined the "sadsad" or traditional street dancing of revelers to the rhythmic sounds of drums. Later on, she ordered the release of R56-million to improve the Kalibo airport, which is barely 10 minutes away from the town plaza.
When improved as planned by Aklan leaders led by Rep. Joeben T. Miraflores, Gov. Lito S. Marquez, and Vice Gov. Kel Tolentino, the Kalibo airport will have direct flights from Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Aside from the famous Ati-Atihan festival, Kalibo is also regarded as the gateway to the Boracay island. Mayor Reymar A. Rebaldo said the upgrading of the Kalibo airport augurs well for his drive to make Kalibo a city and tourism gateway of Central Visayas. From an economic perspective, Kalibo now enjoys the operations of the biggest numbers of commercial banks in the region, Rebaldo said.
Gov. Marquez is supporting the move to make Kalibo a city even though the province would lose a big chunk of revenues from the town. Kalibo is now a rapidly growing urban center with commercial, educational, and medical facilities being patronized by people from neighboring towns and provinces.
At present, Kalibo and Caticlan airports, Aklan’s two main aircraft terminals, service a combined 60 airline flights daily.
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