About People, About Progress, About Aklan

GABRIELLE “BILLIE” V. CALIZO-QUIMPO
Vice Governor
Province of Aklan

In her life’s journey, Gabrielle “Billie” Venus Calizo-Quimpo’s ardent desire to serve her people and her province has never wavered. Her compassion towards other people, especially the poor and the marginalized, runs through her veins and her passion to share and be of service to others is embedded in her heart. A catalyst for change, Billie Calizo-Quimpo’s vision for progress and development begun early in life with her simple dream – Serve the people

A true-blooded Aklanon, Billie Calizo-Quimpo was born on March 24, 1954 to the late spouses Teodoro F. Calizo, Sr. and Luz Laurente Venus-Calizo, who taught her the profoundest meaning of nationalism and love of country. In her formative years in Balete, Aklan, Billie learned the importance of respecting other people’s dignity and honor. An achiever even in her younger days, she reaped awards and recognitions for academic excellence in both grade school and high school. She pursued Medical Technology at the College of the Holy Spirit in Manila and passed the government licensure examination with flying colors.

Believing that a solid educational background is a vehicle to professional growth, Billie Calizo-Quimpo also finished a post graduate course in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the Universal Institute of Tourism in 1975. She was employed at the Century Park Sheraton where she found her niche and calling. In her desire to arm herself with more knowledge, she also became a part of the School of Economics of the University of Asia and the Pacific. During those most challenging years, she gained all the skills, all the spunk— spliced with her own brand of service — to push her vision to serve the people.

Billie Calizo-Quimpo’s name is synonymous to tourism. A pioneer in the promotion of travel and tours in the Philippines, she left an indelible mark in the tourism industry. She became President of the Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, Inc., the Vacanze Travel and Tours, and the Bohol Travel and Tours, among others.

Her success in the tourism industry has given her both national and international recognitions. Proving her mettle, her company became KALAKBAY (Kasama sa Lakbay Kaunlaran ng Bayan) Hall of Fame Awardees. She was also chosen as one of the Outstanding Women in Tourism by the Women in Travel Manila. Recipient of 2006 Women Achievers of Aklan award given by Soroptimist International of Kalibo. Recipient of Lifetime Tourism Achievement Award given by West Visayan Tourism Assembly under the auspices of the Philippine-Department of Tourism. Her many awards and recognitions not only demonstrate her skills and talents, but also shows her commitment to excel in every endeavor that she takes. Indeed, she had made remarkable contributions to the tourism industry that spurred economic growth and development throughout the country.

The will to serve her people is definitely in Billie Calizo-Quimpo’s heart. From her active and hectic corporate life, she chose to return to her humble beginnings and serve the people she dearly loves.

When Billie Calizo-Quimpo finally decided to throw her hat to public service, she garnered the highest number of votes in the history of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan. As a Provincial Board Member of Aklan, her drive to push the economy through tourism became her platform of government. She was highly dedicated to raise the quality of life in her province and be part and parcel of Aklan’s economic growth and development. She is highly committed to progress that will be felt by the people.She simply never stops. She believes that she can achieve more. She unselfishly offered the skills and talents that she has acquired through the years of hard work and diligence to her people and her province.

In 2001, she was once again called to duty. She was elected Representative of the Lone District of Aklan, a position she aspired the most. In the august halls of the House of Representatives, she fought for the welfare not only of Aklanon’s but also of children and women. She actively participated in the passage of vital pieces of legislation including Republic Act No. 9262 defining violence against women and children and Republic Act No. 9231 eliminating the worst forms of child labor in the Philippines. During her three-year stint as Congresswoman, her accomplishments were remarkable and outstanding.

Recognizing the meager resources of the seventeen (17) municipalities all over the Province of Aklan, Billie Calizo-Quimpo funded projects aimed at bolstering economic growth. To improve agriculture and commerce, bridges, farm to market roads and irrigation systems were constructed. Farm implements and other agricultural inputs were distributed and dispersed to improve production and uplift the lives of farmers. To accommodate the growing number of students, Billie Calizo-Quimpo supported the construction of over 200 classrooms, offered scholarship grants to poor but deserving students and provided a continuing education program for teachers. To empower the people, she supported many cooperatives and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), provided technical assistance to small and medium scale enterprises in the province and offered livelihood assistance to those who are in dire need. Appreciating the problems of police officers and firefighters, Billie Calizo-Quimpo provided them with handguns, patrol cars and fire truck.

Through her initiatives, she funded projects that recognizes the rich cultural heritage of the Province of Aklan including the reconstruction of the Museo of Aklan, the beautification of the Federico Icamina Park (Bliss Park), lighting of Roxas Avenue and Kalibo Bridge, beautification of the D. Maagma Street, construction of the Tourist Information Center and Public Toilet in Pastrana Park, Kalibo and the restoration of the Capt. Gil Mijares Building that houses the Kalibo Police Station, Municipal Library and social hall. In Balete, Aklan, the Kabuhi-an Livelihood Skills Training and Exhibition Center was established primarily to showcase the formidable Aklanon talent and unique craftsmanship. In Boracay Island, she provided funding for the construction of access roads to the beaches of Boracay. She likewise funded the Balabag Park and the construction of toilet facilities. Throughout the Province of Aklan, trash bins were distributed to promote garbage segregation and instill environmental conservation not only amongst the people of Aklan but likewise visiting domestic and foreign tourists. These are only the highlights of her accomplishments. She worked overtime, 24-7, to lead as an example and provide her people with leadership that is accountable, transparent and effective.

To date, Billie Calizo-Quimpo continues to serve the people. She continues to gather light on the bumpy road to progress and development. Unmindful of the intricacies of political life, Billie Calizo-Quimpo opted to stay with her people and join them in the quest for the transformation of Aklan from a rustic province into a economic powerhouse in the entire region.

It seemed providential that after a fruitful stint in the House of Representatives, the dashing lady, without hesitation, ran for the position of Vice Governor of her dear province in 2004 and won with as overwhelming margin over her reelectionist predecessor.

Her dynamism and innovative leadership introduced structural and operational reforms in the provincial legislative body under her stewardship as regular presiding officer of the august chamber that the 2007-2010 Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan is generally considered as the most productive ever in the province’s political history.

Setting the pace and direction, the Vice Governor transformed the standing committees into virtual working machines holding weekly regular committee and public hearings on matters referred to them and technical working groups had been convened to craft vital local codes.
Henceforth, four historic or landmark legislations had been enacted by 2007-2010 SP, namely: the Aklan Investment Incentive Code, Tourism Code of Aklan, Environment Code of Aklan, and the Aklan Children’s Code. These are on top of 1,176 resolutions passed, 16 general ordinances, 18 special ordinances, two tax ordinances and 41 other ordinances enacted. For the 3-year period, 112 appropriation ordinances were likewise enacted.

This voluminous outputs of the Aklan SP under the baton of the vice governor were accomplished in 131 regular sessions, 12 special sessions, four public hearings, and 731 committee hearings.

Vice Governor Billie Calizo-Quimpo’s accomplishment in harmonic working relationship with the SP Members could have been the main reason why when she ran for reelection on May 10, 2010, she gained the nod of her people in Aklan, winning by another overwhelming margin over her closest rival.

Again, probably by God’s will, even if she has accomplished plenty, still many remain to be done. For her second term, a formidable task awaits her and the reelected and newly elected SP Members.

The vice governor is very particular in the formulation or crafting of the Executive-Legislative Agenda, or ELA, which will certainly harmonize of the local legislative branch.

Also in store for enactment is the codification of General Ordinances passed by the SP as well as codification of the Provincial Tax and Revenue Code of the Province.

A sterling example of a dedicated public servant and a paragon of excellence, Billie Calizo-Quimpo still believes that great feats begin with small dreams — serving the people of Aklan.
Indeed, her vision is all about people, all about progress, all about Aklan./WVE