Madalag celebrates its 59th year

Alex Dionela

The town of Madalag celebrates its 59th anniversary on July 30, 2007 as an independent municipality from Libacao in a traditional commemorative program held at the town plaza. This was attended by municipal and barangay officials and all government functionaries, teachers, students, NGOs representatives and concerned citizens headed by Mayor Rex Gubatina and Vice Mayor Orlando Inosanto.
Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez was this year’s guest of honor who in his speech commended the town’s past and present political leaders for the continued growth of Madalag and the many achievements it had attained all through these years. He also announced the provincial government’s initial fund allocation of 10 million pesos for the construction of the proposed Madalag bridge – a long time dream of every Madalagnon that would link this town to barangay Daguitan or Paningayan en route to Banga and the capital town of Kalibo and reversely to Libacao.
Since then, reaching first barangay Daguitan from this town before going to these places had been the most practical and the shortest road route of travel, except the inconvenience of crossing the Aklan River riding in a banca and which is more dangerous when this river is flooding and which occur every time there is heavy rain. The absence of a bridge cutting across the Aklan River for convenient and safe travel had always been a perennial problem among the local folks in the area.
Libacao Mayor Charito Navarosa also graced the occasion who in his message expressed elation on the continued close fraternal relations of the Madalagnons to their “big brother” - the Libacaonons despite of their political separation and the passing of years, “it is because these two peoples simply belong to one big family and are inter-related to one another by blood and by affinity” he said. He also encouraged local officials to pursue vigorously their proposed Timbaban hydro power project and to harness the town’s vast and abundant natural resources for tourism development and the production of high-value crops, fruits, vegetables and cutflowers.
The highlight of this year’s celebration is the inauguration of the town’s new police station building located at the public plaza. This modern police facility with standard design and specifications was funded by the Philippine National Police whose lot used for the purpose was LGU’s donation as counterpart to the project. Special guests were Region 6 Police Director Wilfredo Dulay and Aklan Police Director Benigno Durana, Jr. Also present were Malinao Mayor Dominador Ilio, Jr. and Banga Mayor Antonio Maming.
The town of Madalag was officially established in 1948 with 25 barangays included in the separation and 24 barangays retained by Libacao. Don Leovigildo Diapo was the first appointed Mayor of Madalag while Martin Ruiz was then the incumbent Mayor of Libacao.

(visit www.libacao.gov.ph)