After the disaster that hit our province, people are starting to recover. Even though we were struck by one of the most horrific disasters ever to hit our soil, beauty can still be gazed upon. And what better way to start with than to take a cooling dip on the still crystal clear waters of Jawili Falls. Even though the great Aklan River is still as brown as the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Jawili's seven basin falls are the opposite.





How to get there...
Located approximately 30 km from the town of Kalibo, it is just a short drive or jeepney ride away. Or, if the you don't like jeepneys, there is also the occasional bus. But beware, most of the buses that are not good looking have really reckless divers. And don't ever think of trying to ride by a tricycle, you wont get there till Christmas, plus you'll get to push it occasionally.

If you get your hands on a car, locating the road to the falls is a piece of cake. First, just follow the National Highway to the town of Tangalan. You'll pass by the towns of Numancia and Makato before reaching the town. Then when you see the Tangalan wet market, turn right. If you're not sure, you can ask any of the friendly locals and they'll kindly show you the way. After the turn, just drive straight until you reach end of the block. Then turn left, after a few seconds, you'll be able to see the park and the small but really old church of Tangalan. When you see this landmark, you'll know that you're on the right track. Afterwards, just follow the road. After several minutes, you'll be able to see a right hand turn towards a bridge, but don't go there because its the road to the beach. Just dive straight on, later you'll see the road littered with small flags, and you'll know your near the falls.

If you're from Caticlan, you'll have to pass by the towns of Nabas and Ibajay. When you reach the Tanglan Public Market, turn left and just follow the aforementioned instructions.

How much will you spend...
It depends on what you'll do. If you'll just take a dip, the entrance fee to the falls is just Php 10 and another Php 10 for the bathroom use. Oh, a tip, don't go through the resort if you'll just go and get a dip, parking fees and entrance fees can run from Php 50 to Php 100. Note that the fees from the resort are separate from what you'll pay for the dip. In lay mans terms, you'll pay twice just to take a dip at the falls.

Where you can stay...
You can stay at Jawili Falls Resort, owned by Segfre Magallanes. If you'll rent a picnic hut, its rated at Php 150 per three hours. And if you'll rent a closed hut for the night, it will cost you Php 400. They say its good for 4 persons but ironically has only 1 bed so anticipate another round of payments for extra mattresses. The rooms are not air-conditioned, so be ready for a steamy night but at least it has its own toilet.

Picnic huts

Closed Huts with a nice tropical feel.

Food may be an issue since they offer nothing but canned goods. But this can be easily remedied just by bringing your own food.

Some other things that you can do...
You can either go to the beach and relax on some resort or you could take a short hike up a small hill where you can see a really nice view of the beach.

Here's a glimpse of my next feature, Jawili Beach...

Former Senate President Franklin Drilon called on House Speaker Prospero Nograles to sponsor a bill that will set up a P10-billion “Bangon Panay Rehabilitation Fund”. He said the economy of the “food bowl of the Visayas,” was devastated by Typhoon “Frank” last June 21.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles said that more than P10 billion is actually needed, he increased the proposal to P15 billion for the full rehabilitation of the typhoon-ravaged provinces of Panay island. He assured that the Lower House will pass a bill creating a rehabilitation fund for the island.

Aklanon families who was rendered homeless by Typhoon “Frank” will soon start building their houses with the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

According to Evangeline Gallega of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) , they will distribute P10,000 each to families whose houses were totally destroyed by Typhoon “Frank.”

Gallega said that the DSWD is currently validating the actual number of families in the province whose houses were totally destroyed by the typhoon. Presently, the validation is focused on Kalibo.

The PDCC (Philippine Disaster Coordinating Council) has listed approximately more than 10,000 totally destroyed houses in its report on damages caused by Typhoon “Frank,”. Meanwhile, the PDCC is currently listing names of those who perished during the typhoon in Aklan. Immediate families of these victims, according to the PDCC, will receive P10,000 each.

Fifty-two Aklanons died at the height of the typhoon, mostly due to drowning. Others were victims of landslides while some were hit by fallen trees. The town of Numancia had the highest number of deaths with 16, followed by Kalibo with 7 and Ibajay, 6. The towns of Banga, Makato, Malinao and New Washington had 4 deaths a peice. Lezo had 3 casualties. And the municipalities of Libacao, Tangalan and Madalag had one each. There were no reported deaths in the towns of Malay, Nabas, Altavas, Balete and Buruanga.

The Aklan Electiric Cooperative (Akelco) has improved its efforts to fully energize the province after the wake of disaster that Typhoon “Frank” left.

Engr. Rogen Delos Reyes, assistant manager for operations, said the town of Kalibo is almost 100 percent energized, except for the barangays of Mobo and Bakhaw Norte which is located along the Aklan River and several areas in C. Laserna in Brgy. Poblacion.

He says that although they are keeping with their commitment to restore electricity to 91,000 member-consumers, several barangays in the hinterlands of Libacao and Madalag will also be prioritized by Akelco. They installed 55,000 kilometers of electrical wirings and 600 electrical posts in the affected barangays. Also, Akelco is working closely with barangay officials in clearing operations to hasten the electrification by the linemen from other Akelco sub-stations.

He also mentioned that without the support of Task Force Kapatid of National Electrification Administration (NEA) and Akelco's supplier, it could be hard for them to repair the primary lines in the remote barangays of Aklan, especially the typhoon-ravaged towns of Kalibo and Numancia.

NEA Administrator Edita Bueno extended assistance to Akelco for the rehabilitation of the lateral and backbone lines in all service areas of Akelco in Aklan.

Akelco General Manager Chito Peralta said that the total estimated damages of Akelco in the service areas of Aklan and the northern towns of Antique reached P110 million, including 25,000 electric meters and 600 electrical posts toppled by the typhoon. Akelco has also implemented the “Pantawid Kuryente” program of NEA and the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) that will benifit 60,000 lifeline consumers in the province.