The Golden Sarok Rotonda is Kalibo and Aklan's most prominent landmark. It is our identity. It is our bond to the past, to our present, and to the future. Let's preserve it! #SaveGoldenSarok #KaliboHeritage #AklanHeritage #HeritagePH We call for the conservation of the 42 year old cultural landmark, that is, either for it to be maintained in its current location or move elsewhere to another location in its entirety. Golden Sarok Rotonda, also known as Rotunda Sarok, Golden Sarok Shrine, or simply Sarok is a roundabout structure at the junction of Toting Reyes Street, Osmeña Avenue, Jaime Cardinal L. Sin (formerly Quezon Avenue) and Desposorio Maagma Sr. Street also known as Crossing Banga and New Washigton in Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines. It serves as a prominent landmark to main business area of Kalibo. History and Significance Erected in 1973, the landmark was donated by Jose B. Fernandez to the municipality of Kalibo during the term of Mayor Federico Icamina. Jose B. Fernandez, son of former mayor of Kalibo Juez Juan Fernandez was a U.S. Pilot who returned to his hometown Kalibo upon his retirement. It was primarily built to honor the local farmers as Kalibo and Aklan are agricultural town and province, respectively. It also stands as a symbol of Panay's folk history known as the Barter of Panay wherein the Bornean datus headed by Datu Puti bought Panay Island (formerly known as Anninipay) from the Aeta chief Marikudo, in exchange for gold necklace, bolts of cloth, golden trinkets and of course, a "golden sarok". Sarok is the local Akeanon term for a hat. It has formed part of the Kalibonhons and Aklanons daily life for decades. From a trip to neighboring provinces or from a flight from Manila or overseas, the sight of the structure, in the collective consciousness of Kalibonhons and Aklanons means they are once again "home". Planned Demolition and Relocation In February 2015, the local government of Kalibo has announced its plan to demolish the Golden Sarok Rotonda and replace it with an intersection with traffic lights in a bid to ease the traffic to and from central Kalibo. In June 2015, a public hearing was held where it was agreed that the landmark structure be relocated. Conservationists are calling the project unnecessary; instead, they said the local police should discipline the traffic enforcers and erring drivers and remove illegally parked vehicles in the area to ease traffic woes. Instead of relocating the whole structure in its entirety however, the approved proposal is to create a new Golden Sarok Arc Shrine.