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Aklan is famous for Boracay, a resort island one kilometer north from the tip of Panay. It is known for its white sandy beaches and is considered as one of the more prominent destinations in the country. Because of this, there is frequent air travel to the province's airports in Kalibo andCaticlan.
Farming is the basic livelihood in the interior while fishing is the basic livelihood in the coasts. Poorer inhabitants also migrate seasonly to other provinces and islands, particularly Negros, to work mostly in plantations. Some of these migrants include minors.
Despite its vibrant tourism industry and substantial agriculture, the province is still considered as one of the poorer provinces in the country with more than 30% of the population living below the national poverty line.
Aklan depends greatly on agriculture. The massive and sustained education and research in agriculture production, the implementation of national program in agriculture, well-established marketing strategies, as well as the support of the agribusiness industry and other private and non-government sectors, result to better production and higher income of the farmers.
Palay Production
Palay is still the number one crop grown in the province. The total area planted with rice is 42,218
hectares effective area, or 0.39 percent of the total agricultural area of the province. In the year
2000, rice production registered a total of 123,292 metric tons, or an increase of 8,405 metric tons
over that of the 1999 production of 115,524 metric tons. The increase in production was attributed to
the implementation of the Strategic Agricultural and Fishery Development Program (SAFDP); and, the
improvement of the irrigation system that increases the irrigated rice areas.
With the implementation of the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) rice production program using the Hybrid rice, production is expected to increase by 15 percent or an average of 10 metric tons per hectare in the succeeding years. However, the problem of low price support for rice still continues to affect the production sector.
Livestock and Poultry Production
In general, Aklan is sufficient in meat and other livestock and poultry products, though in the
inventory of livestock and poultry in the year 2000, hog and chicken had a decrease in population from
114,890 heads of hogs and 886,597 heads of chickens in 1999 to 95,950 heads of hogs and 782,820 heads of
chicken in the 2000.
The decrease in production were attributed to the following factors: high cost of feeds, feed supplements and biologics; livestock and poultry diseases; increasing price of chicks; and, high cost of labor.
Coconut Production
Coconut still occupies the largest area planted among major permanent agriculture crops. The total
area planted with coconut is 32,276 hectares (ha.). Ibajay ranks the largest with 4,317 ha. ; followed
by Balete with 2,611 ha, ; Banga with 2,314 ha. ; Makato with 2,089 ha. ; and, Altavas with 2,054 ha.
All the rest of the municipalities have areas below 2000 ha. However, in terms of copra production,
Makato ranks number one with 2,770 metric tons per year; next is Balete with 2,669; and Libacao with
2,399. The rest produce less than 2000 metric tons. Total production is 25,375 metric tons annually.
Other Permanent Major Crops
Aside from palay and coconut, other major crops that contributed to uplift the economy of Aklan are
being developed. These are high valued crops with export potential, such as banana (Lakatan), mango,
rambutan, and lanzones; and fiber crops such as piña fiber and abaca.
Fishery Production
Aquaculture constitutes a significant component in the province’s fishery industry.
The province has
a total fishpond area of 7,807.14 hectares (ha.), of which 7,749.9247 ha. Are fully developed and only
57,2153 ha. are underdeveloped. Of the total fishpond areas, 4,512.04162 ha. Are with Fishpond Lease
Agreement (FLA); 138.85672 ha. Are with permits; 2,729.02636 ha. are on process/application; and, 370.0
ha. are titled.
The majority of manufacturing and processing establishments in the province of Aklan are family owned and operated cottage industry type enterprises. Goods are manufactured and processed in the homes primarily on a small scale basis. Thus, the great majority of manufacturing establishments in the province employed fewer than 10 workers. Predominant among the establishments are the handicraft manufacturing which accounted for 26 % of the manufacturing establishments existing in the province of Aklan. However, an existing firm, the Aklan Integrated Coconut Industries Inc. located in Barangay Libas, Banga, Aklan processes coconut which produces cooking oil.
Kalibo, the capital town, is the center of industrial activities in the province, about 45% of all manufacturing and processing establishments being located here. Banga ranks second in number of manufacturing establishments with 9% of the total of such establishments. Numancia and New Washington ranks third, and Malinao being fourth in the rank. These cottage industry type establishments concentrate their production in the area of decreasing order of number of concerns, handicrafts, metalcrafts, furniture makings, tailoring and dressmaking, fibercrafts, manufacturing and food processing, bamboo crafts and wood leather crafts, mat and hat weaving, bricks making and tins crafts.
Provincial Government of AklanCapitol Building, Kalibo, Aklan
Contact Nos.: (036) 268-5338 262-4924
Telefax: 262-3132
Copyright © 2008-2009 Province of Aklan. All Rights Reserved.
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