KALIBO “ATI-ATIHAN” – ‘MOTHER OF ALL PHILIPPINE FESTIVALS’

The information on the issue on Kalibo and its history was provided by the Planning Deprtment headed by Mr. Edgardo Gerardo.

Very interesting reading on how and what was Kalibo THEN.

(According to the Historical Research entitled “Calivo: The Founding of Town” by J.E. Barrios and E.A. Lerona

KALIBO TOWN CAPITANES TO MAYOR

Term of Office Name
1521 Juan Matangga
1571 Antonio Popes
1668 Miguel Lalisan
1721 Juan Hilario
1778 Miguel Roldan
1785 Protacio Lachica
1789 Leonardo Roldan
1889 Magdaleno Concepcion
1890 - 1900 FranciscoTansingco Mañas
1895 – 1898 Vicente Laserna
1900 Nazario B. Roldan
1900 – MaximoR. Roldan
1900 Catalino Mabasa
1900 – 1901 Natalio B. Acevedo
1902 – 1903 Segundo Martelino
1904 – 1909 Cirilo R. Laserna, Sr.
1909 Procopio Urquiola
1912 Jacinto Repiedad
1910 – 1912 Emiliano B. Acevedo
1913 – 1916 Simeon Mobo Reyes
1916 – 1919 Emiliano B. Acevedo
1919-1922 Luis S. Barrios

Term of Office Name
1922 – 1925 Cenon M. Quimpo
1925 – 1928 Juan Concepcion
1928 – 1931 Fortunato M. Quimpo
Nov. 1930 – Jan. 1931 Juan G. Fernandez
1931 – 1933 Julio Magno
1933 – 1936 Gregorio I.Pastrana
Dec 31, 1936 - Juan Agurre
1890 - 1900 FranciscoTansingco Mañas
1937 – 1939 Salvador V. Peralta
1940 – 1947 Rustico S. Quimpo
1948 – 1951 Ludovico O.Peralta
1952 – 1959 Desposorio M. Maagma, Sr.
1960 – 1980 Federico O. Icamina
Mar 1980 - Mar 1986 Wilihado C. Regalado
Mar.1986 – Jan.1988 Juan P. Dayang
Jan. 12, 1988 – Feb. 1, 1988 Rene D. Enriquez
Feb. 2,1988 - Mar. 22, 1992 Allen S. Quimpo
Mar. 23, 1992 – June 30, 1992 Nilda B Tambong
July, 1992 – 2001 Diego M. Luces
2001 – 2010 Raymar A. Rebaldo
2010-Current Mayor William S.Lachica

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

The municipality of Kalibo is particularly located at the center of all coastal municipalities of Aklan, where the big Aklan River has its mouth It is bounded on the North by the Sibuyan Sea, on the South by the Municipality of Banga, on the West by the Municipalities of Lezo and Numancia and on the East by the Municipality of New Washington. It has a cadastral location of North to South between 11Ú40’22" N and 11Ú40’00" S, from West to East between 122Ú 20’ 27" W and 122Ú 25’ 00" E latitude

TOPOGRAPHY

The whole area of the municipality is generally flat. This is characterized by intensive agriculture and high density of urban development. The terrain level that favors fast economic and urbanization growth.

GEOLOGY

As on the record of the Provincial Register of Deeds, the only available is the mineral claims on iron (laterite, magnetite, rutile) which occur in abundance throughout coastal areas of Aklan. Moreover, guano deposit is also found in Tigayon Cave but of limited quantity.

SOILS

There are six (6) soil types occur in the municipality of Kalibo, namely;

1. Sandy loam or beach sand and San Miguel Clay or Sandy-Clay loam (843.49 hectares) - found at the Coastal barangays facing Sibuyan (foreshore areas ) and it devoted to cash crops and bananas San Miguel Clay exists along the course of Aklan River as alluvial deposits emanated from the uplands;

2. Sta. Rita Clay (2,375.83hectares) –Found in the inner portion of the town and is devoted for agricultural crops especially rice farming and vegetable production.
3. Hydrosol (421.75 hectares) – existing on the fishpond areas of the municipality;

4. Bantog Clay (604.50 hectares) - Found in the inner portion of the town and is devoted for coconut and rice.

5. Mountain clay (28.12 hectares) prevails along the course of Aklan River as alluvial deposits from siltation and sedimentation

6. Beach Sandy Clay. (801.32) – Devoted to Coconut and Trees.

The seafront coastal barangays of Andagao, Bakhaw Norte, Bakhaw Sur, Buswang New, Buswang Old, Briones, Caano, Mabilo and Pook have sandy loam, Sta. Rita clay and Hydrosol type of soil. On the other hand, riverine barangays like Estancia, Linabuan Norte, Mobo, Poblacion, Tigayon and Tinigao have Sta. Rita, San Miguel and Mountain Clay considering its proximity to the Aklan River.

LAND RESOURCES Land Classification

1. Alienable and Disposable Lands – The entire Municipality of Kalibo is classified as Alienable and Disposable (A & D) land. However, there are identified mangrove sites along the coastal area.
2. Timberland – Mangrove Reforestation, the protected Mangrove Area in the municipality reaches to about 70 hectares located in barangay Bakhaw Sur covers a 25-hectare mangrove reserve while New Buswang has a 20-hectare wildlife sanctuary and 25 hectares mangrove area, the municipality established mangrove plantation at Barangays Buswang Old and New planted with Bakauan Babae (sp. Rhizophora mucronata), Lalaki (sp. Rhizophora apiculata) and nipa (sp. Nypa fruticans. This serves as a habitat for fishes and other aquatic life, thus creating an ecological balance to the environment.
3. Wildlife Sanctuary – Within the declared mangrove reserve in Barangay Buswang New, a 20-hectare wildlife sanctuary was established. This serves as home for birds and other animals that rely on nature’s blessing.

4. Parks/Playground and Other Recreational Spaces – There are existing areas used as parks and playground in with the community which includes basketball/tennis court, stadium, auditorium and public plaza that covers 42.40 hectares.

Existing General Land Use

The Municipality of Kalibo is predominantly an agricultural domain occupying the biggest portion of the total area. This is the reason why that the major thrust of the Local Government is making Kalibo as the center of agricultural based economic industry and eco-tourism. This land classification is mostly planted to agricultural crops like rice, coconuts, bananas, corns, root crops and vegetables. Some areas were also devoted for fishpond and backyard livestock production.

It is subsequently followed by built-up classification (comprises residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, parks/playground, infrastructure utilities and other uses) followed by special uses (quarrying, grazing land and tourism purposes). Forestland (Mangrove Reforestation project) occupies a minimum area of 1.38% of the total land.

MINERAL RESOURCES

Kalibo has undetermined stock piles of high grade sand and gravel on a sandbars formation at the Aklan Riverbed. . The sand and gravel and other aggregates found in the reverine barangays of the municipality starting from Linabuan Norte to Bakhaw Norte and Sur are said to be the finest kind in the region.

COASTAL RESOURCES

Mangroves

Kalibo has the world most famous and multi-awarded Mangrove Reforestation also called the “Green Pearl of the Orient” at Barangays Buswang Old and New. It is planted with Bakauan Babae (sp. Rhizophora mucronata), Lalaki (sp. Rhizophora apiculata) and nipa (sp. Nypa fruticans). Some areas have naturally grown, fully stocks of regenerants of Perada (sp. Sonneratia caseolaris), pagatpat (sp. Sonneratia alba), and bakauan (sp. Rhizophora). They are growing abundantly in fringe, basin, riverine and scub. An Original 70 hectares mangrove reforestation has now grown to over 170 hectares due to regeneration and additional planting. It attracts local and international tourists alike due to its natural beauty and for educational enrichment.

Coral Reefs

Coral reefs of the municipality that serves as fish sanctuary had been destroyed due to natural and man-made calamities, siltation, destructive fishing practices such as dynamite fishing, collection of corals for ornamental construction materials and pollution.
To restore the fish sanctuary in the local water of Kalibo, the Municipal Government of Kalibo in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Aklan, Concrete Jackstone-Type Artificial Coral Reef was fabricated. It was launched at Pudlon, barangay Mabilo, Kalibo on November 2007 and was completed on February 2008. The actual deployment at sea of 210 units finished concrete Jackstone-type artificial reef was done on April 26-28, 2008 with the assistance from the fisherfolks in the area.

Endangered Species

Kalibo Shoreline is believed to be haven for marine turtles especially at Barangay Mabilo and at adjacent coastal barangays. As proof, some have tangled with the fishermen’s nets. They were later freed back to its habitat after documentation had been made for their protection./TE