KALIBO, Aklan — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan is set to hold a public hearing for the proposed comprehensive environmental code with stakeholders on June 9.

The proposed code seeks to provide a framework for the management, protection and preservation of the province's natural resources and environment for sustainable development.

All town mayors, vice mayors, non-government organizations, stakeholders and members of Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Councils and Municipal Planning and Development coordinators are invited to the public hearing.

Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo will preside over the public hearing with Sangguniang Panlalawigan members Plaridel Morania, chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Food, Cooperatives and Environmental Protection, and Selwyn Ibarreta, chairman of the Committee on Laws, Rules and Ordinance, in attendance.

Engr. Roger Esto of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, Engr. John Kenneth Almalbis of the Aklan Environment and Natural Resources Office (AKENRO) and Derlito Rico of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Aklan, both of the Provincial Technical Working Group (PTWG), will also attend.

Last year, the Aklan SP passed the Aklan Investments Incentives Code through General Ordinance No. 2008-007 drafted by the Provincial Planning and Development Office and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Provincial Office.

On April 23, 2009, the Tourism Code of Aklan was enacted during its 15th regular session through General Ordinance No. 2009-003. The tourism code drafting was spearheaded by USWAG Development Foundation, Inc. under its Executive Director Didi Quimpo and the Provincial Tourism Office under Roselle Ruiz.