According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Aklan saw a 1.2 percent increase in birth registrations last year. The government agency recorded a total of 13, 854 births registrations last year, up from the 13,696 in 2018.
New Washington saw the highest increase with a 56 percent rise; however, Lezo recorded a 31 percent decline.
Meanwhile, nearly half of all birth registrations were recorded in Kalibo, the provincial capital. The town reported 6,840 birth registrations, which was closely followed by Ibajay and Libacao with 1,358 each.
Provincial Statistics Officer Antonet Catubuan said, “The positive differential is indicative that expectant mothers gave birth outside their usual place of residence due to better healthcare facilities and social services available in the receiving municipality.”/WDJ