APEC ALERT: MAINTAIN CLEANLINESS

Maintain cleanliness, Aklanons told

KALIBO, Aklan, April 30(PIA6) -- An appeal has been issued here by the Provincial Government to Aklanons especially those living along the highway from the Kalibo International Airport to Caticlan, Malay, Aklan to keep the roadsides clean and free of eyesores with the arrival of delegates next week for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Boracay Island in May.

Municipalities to be passed while delegates are on their way to Boracay Island starting next week include Kalibo, Numancia, Makato, Tangalan, Ibajay, Nabas, and Malay.

The APEC meetings – Senior Officers Meeting (SOM2) and Trade Ministerial Meeting, will be held from May 10-22 and May 23-24, respectively in Boracay Island.

Among things that Aklanons should avoid doing in time for the arrival of delegates and while the APEC meetings are ongoing in the island include piling of sand and gravel along the roadsides, piling of garbage and dried leaves along the highway and burning these; burning of rice stalks in ricefields, drying palay on the highway and parking of private vehicles at roadsides.

Slow-moving vehicles like tricycles, bicycles and multicabs should utilize the part of the highway nearest to the roadside while tricycles should not be parked in front of wet markets and stores.

Sacks of feeds and other merchandise should not be placed at the side of the highway while residents are also advised tp take away tarpaulins, streamers and sticker advertisements from houses and establishments.

Putting up or nailing announcements on trees at the Campo Verde area is also strictly prohibited.

According to Aklan provincial officials led by Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, Rep. Teodorico Haresco and Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo, the success of the APEC activity in Boracay is seen to bring in more investors in Aklan which could provide jobs and livelihood to Aklanons. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)