Balete is not Balite

Resolution No. 069-sb2013 as captured from www.Scrbd.com

The Sangguniang Bayan adopted Resolution no. 069-sb2013 on February 3, 2011 in response to a call for help posted on Facebook by a Baleten-on OCW based in Vancouver, Canada. The overseas contract worker was having a hard time dealing with the Philippine Consulate in the area as she insisted that her town's name is "Balete" and not "Balite" as listed in the databank of that establishment. She was worried that it might affect her records thus her insistence that the DFA corrects its records concerning the town of Balete, Aklan.

Copies of this resolution were furnished the National Historical Institute as well as the Philippine Consulate in Canada through the Department of Foreign Affairs central office in Makati. Both agencies acted with haste to attend to the issue at hand. The occasion made way for the concerned agencies to exchange additional information that not only rectify their respective databanks but also enrich their knowledge on the historicity of Balete town.

See related stories at the following links:
  How Balete Got its Name
  Additional Sources on Local History
 When Legend Becomes History: The Case of the Battle of Agtawagon Hill
 Those Elusive Executive Order of Gov. Gen. Francis Burton Harrison 
 A Town By the Jal-o River: A Timeline 

The Children Code of Balete, Aklan

Policy and Principles

The local government of Balete recognizes the importance of effectively promoting, fully enhancing, and institutionalizing the survival, development, participation and protection rights of children within the framework of advancing general welfare in furtherance of integrated, sustainable and equitable development.

It believes in a holistic protection and development of all children through a strong partnership between and among government agencies, NGOs and the private sector, serving with the highest degree of professionalism and competence in an atmosphere of unity, solidarity and teamwork.


Rationale

a. To ensure the protection of children against all forms of abuse and exploitation;
b. To advocate for children’s rights and promote their welfare and development;
c. To ensure that children’s rights are given priority attention both in government and civil society;
d. To improve the quality of life of Baleten-on children enabling them to fully develop 

their potentials and participate in community life and nation building.

The code defines the roles and functions of various sectors operating in the municipality as far as children are concerned. It also outlines the programs and services the government ought to extend to protect and advance the interest of the children. Special concerns such as human trafficking, peonage of children, using girls as commodities in benefit dances, selling of liquor and cigarettes to minor, exposure to information communication technologies and children in conflict with law are given due attention. 

Read the full text of Ordinance No. 005-2010 at Scribd 

The Chainsaw Ordinance of Balete

Rationale:

a.      It is emplaced in the joint Executive-Legislative Agenda and Comprehensive Development Plan of the municipality that protection of the environment is ranked among the top priorities of the present administration;

b.      The operation of chainsaw in the Local Government Unit remains unregulated that its impact on the environment is not monitored properly by the authorities

c.       There have been complaints from landowners that their property are being denuded without their consent and prior knowledge

LGU Policy:


       It is the policy of this administration to ensure full protection of its natural resources to make for a balance and sustainable ecology for the present and future generation. Toward this end, the Local Government shall pursue a thorough program to eliminate illegal logging and other forms of forest destruction through the use of chainsaws, thus, the passage of this ordinance. 


       The Sanggunian enacted this ordinance after a series of meetings and public consultation with various stakeholders on February 17, 2011. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan subsequently approved it after having found it to be within the legislative power of the Sangguniang Bayan.

Read the full text of the ordinance at http://www.scribd.com/doc/57167476/Ord-No-006