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Aklan is a broad lowland area flanked on its western and southern
sides by continuous mountain ranges. This broad area extends inward
until it nestles at the foot of Panay’s western mountain highlands.
The province has 17 municipalities and 327 barangays with a total
land area of 1,817.9 sq. km. This represents approximately nine
percent of the region’s land area. It is the center of Ati-atihan
festival, country’s most unique festivity; home to Boracay
Island, the world’s finest white beach located in Malay, Aklan;
land of hand-woven piña cloth billed as Queen of Philippine
fabrics.
Aklan has a total population of 387,041 (as of January 1992) Kalibo
is the economic, educational and political center of the province.
Farming is the main source of livelihood of most Aklanons. Rice
and corn are principal food crops while coconut and abaca are the
leading commercial crops. Off-shore fishing and inland fishing are
also significant sources of livelihood. Cottage industries also
support a large number of families.
Currently, four shipping firms serve the province: Gothong Lines,
William Lines, Aboitiz and Moreta Shipping Lines. Based on the latest
data gathered from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), there are
thirty two vessels that entered and cleared at the ports of Batan,
Dumaguit, and New Washington. Aklan, Air transportation is provided
by the Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific with
regular daily flights to the town capital of Kalibo. Chartered flights
by Pacific Air, Air Ads, Asian Spirit and private charters can also
be availed using the Caticlan Airfield in Caticlan, Malay the gateway
to the world renowned Boracay Island. Telecommunications services
are provided by RCPI, PT & T, BUTEL, BAYANTEL, PLDT, PANTELCO
and CRUZTELCO, Postal and courier services are provided by the Phil.
Postal Corp. CCS, JRS, Haribon, LIBCAP and LBC
Thirty financial institutions operate in the Province of Aklan
which include four government banks, seven private commercial banks
one private development bank and at least one operating rural bank
in every municipality. One hundred seventeen confirmed/registered
cooperatives are operating in the province with Kalibo having the
most number of cooperatives.
Although primarily an agricultural province, Aklan has good potentials
for development in the manufacturing industry sector. The priority
industries identified for promotion are looms weaving, gifts and
house wares, metal craft and cut flowers, food processing, clay-based
and furniture.
Loom weaving in Aklan includes raffia, abaca (sinamay) and piña
weaving:
 Piña
weaving – Piña used is of the local variety with long
and spiny leaves. Woven at Brgys. New Buswang, Old Buswang, Bakhaw
Sur and Bakhaw Norte, Kalibo, Banga, Balete, Lezo and Malinao. Aklan
knotted piña fibers come from Banga, Balete, Madalag, Lezo
and Libacao. There are approximately 200 weavers engaged in piña
weaving. Lately, piña weaving blended with silk is being
produced in Kalibo, Aklan.
Raffia – weaving is the major source of livelihood in Brgy.
Magpag-ong, Batan and some areas in New Washington, Aklan. There
are approximately 250 loom weavers engaged in this activity. Market
is in Manila through traders.
Sinamay – Banga is the center of production, Madalag, Libacao,
Lezo and Makato are also producing in limited capacity. Sinamay
is used for bag linings and placemats. Closely woven sinamay (pinukpok
na abaca) is being used by fashion designers/couturiers as barong
material. There are 2,000 sinamay weavers province wide as of 1992.
Gifts and House ware remains to be a top priority because of its
potential in the export market. Raw materials such as piña,
abaca, rattan splits, buri palms and nito are abundant in the locality.
These materials are he basic inputs of the gifts and house wares
manufacturing firms. The sector has a total of 42 producers as of
June 1993 of which 6 are exporters, 3 direct and 3 indirect. Some
products produced by GTH producers are buri mats, abaca slippers,
nito and buri bags and baskets. Christmas decorations and handmade
paper and paper products.
Metalcraft - considered as support to the transportation and construction
business is another priority industry. The municipalities of Kalibo
and Numancia are the seats of the metalworking industry in the province.
The fabrication/manufacture as well as repair of tricycle/jeepney
bodies, farm equipment and machinery form part of the metalworking
activities in the province.
Cutflowers - An emerging industry, Cutflowers, has vast potentials
in the cultivation of native ornamental plants unique to the Province.
There exists a strong association composed of orchid and ornamental
plant enthusiasts from all over the province.
Clay Based Products - Clay deposits (red clay) are abundant in
the municipalities of Lezo, Batan, Ibajay and Buruanga. Per record,
there are approximately 96 producers of clay-based products spread
out in said municipalities. Product lines include pots, jars, vases
and bricks. The presence of a pottery kiln in Lezo is most helpful
to the Pottery Association of Lezo, Inc.
Furniture and Wood Crafts -The strength of the furniture sector
lies in the abundance of main raw materials like bamboo, rattan
and wood and also vines and fibers as secondary materials. Products
manufactured include dining sets, sala sets, dividers, outdoor furnishings,
beds and others.
Food Processing - At present, 35 processors are engaged in the Food
Processing as identified by DTI-Aklan. Their activities include
meat processing, crude coco oil processing, gelatin "gulaman"
preparation, instant ginger tea, nata de coco, pop rice, barquillos
and peanut butter production.
List of some manufacturers
in the province...
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