TOLENTINO’S ROLE ACCOMPLISHED

Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre

Outgoing Vice Governor Atty. Ronquillo Tolentino will leave the Sangguniang Panlalawigan productive with several landmark legislations still needed to be approved as the new SP will take charge in July.

Odon Bandiola, SP secretary said that several landmark legislations were passed and approved by the SP board members during Tolentino’s term. Among them are the passage of the P615 million budgets for the created Enterprise Development Zone, the quarrying and mining ordinance; the one entry one exit in Boracay and the general revision of the real properties act among others.

Many of the landmark legislations were considered controversial as it continue to face strong oppositions from several sectors in the province.

“This were all passed and submitted to provide Aklanons a better economic benefits in the long term, indicating that Tolentino has successfully accomplished his role as the provincial vice governor even only for one term and also for the rest of the provincial board members,” Bandiola said.

Tolentino will have to leave the SP in July after he lost the recent election, the vice governor hope that the SP members will continuously deliberate the remaining legislative landmark in the next SP sessions.

Earlier, Tolentino said that he had already decided to retire from politics.

Among those considered landmark legislations that are still pending in the SP are the passage of the separate codes on environment, tourism and investments.

“These pending legislations when approved by the SP will surely benefits the future of Aklan with better economic returns for every Aklanons in the days to come,” Bandiola said.

The new SP will take over by the newly elected vice governor Billie Calizo this July.