KALInkBO: Linking Kalibo and Its Global Community.

By Maria Solita Zaldivar-Guzman

KALIBO, Aklan- The Municipality of Kalibo took another meaningful step toward becoming a more connected and globally engaged community with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) on September 3 for the localization of the BaLinkBayan Program, making Kalibo its 65th partner in the program.

The partnership, represented by Mayor Juris Bautista Sucro and Labor and Employment Officer I John Marden F. Maigue, aims to strengthen the connection between Kalibo and its overseas Kalibonhons by creating more accessible opportunities for them to remain involved in the development of their hometown.

Following the MOU signing, a BaLinkBayan Capacity-Building Activity was held at Regenio’s Gastropub on September 16 and attended by personnel from various offices of the Municipal Government of Kalibo and the Department of Education–Kalibo whose programs and services may be directly or indirectly involved in the initiative. The activity brought together different perspectives and opened discussions on how the municipality can build a more coordinated system for engaging Kalibonhons living abroad.

The workshop focused on two major components: data gathering and website development. The data-gathering component was divided into three areas—those interested in starting a business or investing in Kalibo; those who wish to donate or volunteer; and those who may be interested in tourism and experiencing Kalibo. Meanwhile, the website development component involved the municipality’s IT personnel in creating a digital platform that can serve as a bridge between the local government and Kalibonhons around the world.

From these discussions emerged the proposed KALInkBO, a localized platform envisioned to create stronger linkages among overseas Filipinos, migrants, and the entire Kalibo community. Its concept is anchored on the tagline, “Build and Invest, Give, and Experience Kalibo,” reflecting the different ways through which overseas Kalibonhons can remain connected to and contribute to their hometown.

For Kalibo, the localization of BaLinkBayan recognizes the diaspora as an important partner in local development. Whether through investment, volunteerism, donations, knowledge-sharing, tourism, or simply maintaining a connection with home, every Kalibonhon has a potential role to play.

The Municipality of Kalibo is committed to making this partnership work and ensuring that its overseas Kalibonhons remain partners in building a more progressive, inclusive, resilient, and globally connected Kalibo. Through BaLinkBayan and the proposed KALInkBO, Kalibo looks forward to a lasting partnership that keeps its people connected, wherever in the world they may be.

Photo courtesy of CFO