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Thursday, December 5, 2013

Aklan's best performing IOs get award

KALIBO, Aklan, December 5 (PIA6) -- Two government information officers from Aklan – PO3 Nida L. Gregas of the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) and Peter S. Mangilog of National Statistics Office (NSO) were awarded recently at the Iloilo Grand Hotel as the region’s Best Performing Information Officers along with eight (8) others from the provinces of Capiz, Iloilo and Negros Occidental. The awarding of Best Performing IOs was conceptualized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) as the government’s way of appreciating and recognizing the efforts of information officers in national agencies and local government units. The awarding was held as the highlight of this year’s Information Officers’ Year-end Conference-Western Visayas, an annual gathering of the region’s information officers from national, provincial and municipal offices. Before the awarding, the information officers listened first to a lecture of Ryan Vilmor Dumpit of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) entitledUnderstanding Weather Changes, Terminologies. The venue for the gathering and awarding was originally slated at the El Circulo Pavilion, Lawaan, Roxas City but was transferred to Iloilo City as the intended venue in Roxas City suffered damages due to Typhoon Yolanda. Both PO3 Gregas and Mabilog were accompanied by their respective office heads in receiving the award from PIA 6 Regional Director Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa. PO3 Gregas was accompanied by APPO OIC Provincial Director John Jomel Trio while Mangilog was accompanied by NSO-Aklan Statistician II Rodelyn Panadero who represented Blas M. Solidum, Provincial Statistics Officer, who was in Manila on official business at the time of the awarding. The award for this year is Gregas’ second and for Mangilog, his first one. Other awardees for the category included Joeffrey Espiritu of the Provincial Health – Capiz, Office, SPO1 Donna Asmod of Capiz Provincial Police Office, FO3 Marlon B. Garbo of Roxas City Fire Station, Juvy S. Gaton of Department of Agriculture 6, Ma. Xenia Serio of POPCOM 6, Fire Inspector Stephen Jardeleza of BFP-Iloilo, Florentina L. Magbanua of NIA, Negros Occidental and Cynthia Luz F. Chua of NFA Negros Occidental. Meanwhile, besides the Best Performing IO award, NSO-Aklan was also awarded the Best Performing Information Office for 2013. The award was conceptualized and introduced by the PIA only this year which makes the awardees from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Negros and Iloilo officially the first recipients of such awards. Other awardees in the Best Performing Information Office category were Antique Police Office, Capiz Provincial Press Bureau, Public Information Division, Governor’s Office, Negros Occidental, Iloilo Public Information and Community Affairs Office, Governor’s Office, Public Information Office, Passi City and Public Information division, Philhealth 6. The awardees each receive a citation and trophy from the PIA. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Coastal are now no build zones

KALIBO, Aklan, December 4 (PIA6) -- From now on, coastal dwellers will no longer be allowed to build houses within 40 meters from the high tide mark of beaches. This is in order to save the people’s lives in times of strong typhoons that could bring strong storm surges, according to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas, who arrived in Aklan December 3 together with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman and Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. Secretary Roxas’ group first met with provincial and municipal officials of the province of Antique led by Governor Exequiel Javier, and then with Aklan provincial and municipal officials led by Governor Florencio T. Miraflores. The two sets of meetings with the Cabinet Secretaries were held at the Conference Room of the Provincial Guest House, Provincial Capitol Compound. At the start of both the sets of meetings, Secretary Roxas assured the provincial officials that even as most of the media dateline reports involved Tacloban and Samar, the government did not forget the plight of the people of Western Visayas in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, and they were sent by President Aquino to assess the damage in the areas to know the priorities of the officials in the rehabilitation and recovery phase. During his talk, Roxas emphasized the need for local government officials to prevent their constituents from coming back to build their houses along the coastal areas, saying that such areas, especially within 40 meters, are now considered “no-build-zones. Roxas said local government officials will be held accountable should this regulation be violated. For her part, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman assured municipal mayors that the DSWD will be providing assistance to typhoon victims through Cash For Work and Cash for Training Programs. She also said that as a form of assistance, the Pantawid Pamilya cash payout this December will be given in full and doing away with conditions as some school children cannot go to school anyway due to destroyed school houses. She also urged local officials to submit their list of validated houses totally or partially destroyed by Typhoon Yolanda to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) or at the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Team by Thursday, December 5, so that these data will be e-mailed to the DSWD Regional Office by Friday, December 6 and during the weekend, would be validated by the DSWD Central Office. The list will then be forwarded to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which is the lead agency for shelter assistance, according to Soliman. Within the week, Soliman said the local government units would know if there will be delivery of housing materials, as she disclosed that the government is more into providing materials than cash to those who lost their houses. She said the government will be providing P30,000.00 to those whose houses were totally destroyed, and P10,000.00 for partially destroyed. In the two meetings however, the province of Antique pegged the amount for totally destroyed houses at P15,000.00 each, while Aklan placed the amount to construct a house at P10,000.00. To both these proposals, Secretary Mar Roxas said the national policy in providing aid for shelter will be applied to all. “We are all Filipinos, it would be unfair if a province gets a bigger amount, while the other one gets less. What is important here is for victims to be included first in the validated list,” Roxas said. (VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

BFP: Use candles, generators with caution

KALIBO, Aklan, November 27 (PIA6) -- Lighted candles should not be neglected and these should be placed in safe places, away from curtains and other combustible materials to avoid fires. This is the constant reminder being issued by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here with the absence of electricity in the province due to Typhoon Yolanda. Aklanons have turned to using andles and kerosene lamps, especially those living in far-flung barangays, although some areas in the province, mostly poblacion areas, are now lighted by the Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AKELCO) with the help of Global Business Power Corporation (GBPC). Since Typhoon Yolanda when people started using candles and kerosene lamps, BFP-Kalibo had responded to at least two fire calls, which were both caused by forgotten lighted candles. Fortunately, according to Fire Officer 2 Tristan Villanueva of BFP-Kalibo, no one was hurt, and damage in the two fire incidents was also minimal. BFP-Kalibo covers the municipalities of Numancia, Banga, and Libacao. Another thing that Aklanons should avoid, according to BFP-Kalibo, is over-using generators. Presently, many Aklanons are using generator sets to light their houses, utilize their appliances and in charging communication gadgets. Generators, according to FO2 Villanueva, should be operated by a qualified person, should operate only for 4 hours and have 30-45 minutes break or stoppage before being operated again, and placed outside the house for proper ventilation to avoid overheating. The generator should not also be placed near combustible materials, as its muffler might get heated and cause burning, said FO2 Villanueva. “We had been victimized by Typhoon Yolanda and it would be tragic if the typhoon spared our houses but will be lost due to the fire caused by lighted candles or overheated generators,” FO2 Villanueva said. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

BFP: Use candles, generators with caution

KALIBO, Aklan, November 27 (PIA6) -- Lighted candles should not be neglected and these should be placed in safe places, away from curtains and other combustible materials to avoid fires. This is the constant reminder being issued by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here with the absence of electricity in the province due to Typhoon Yolanda. Aklanons have turned to using andles and kerosene lamps, especially those living in far-flung barangays, although some areas in the province, mostly poblacion areas, are now lighted by the Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AKELCO) with the help of Global Business Power Corporation (GBPC). Since Typhoon Yolanda when people started using candles and kerosene lamps, BFP-Kalibo had responded to at least two fire calls, which were both caused by forgotten lighted candles. Fortunately, according to Fire Officer 2 Tristan Villanueva of BFP-Kalibo, no one was hurt, and damage in the two fire incidents was also minimal. BFP-Kalibo covers the municipalities of Numancia, Banga, and Libacao. Another thing that Aklanons should avoid, according to BFP-Kalibo, is over-using generators. Presently, many Aklanons are using generator sets to light their houses, utilize their appliances and in charging communication gadgets. Generators, according to FO2 Villanueva, should be operated by a qualified person, should operate only for 4 hours and have 30-45 minutes break or stoppage before being operated again, and placed outside the house for proper ventilation to avoid overheating. The generator should not also be placed near combustible materials, as its muffler might get heated and cause burning, said FO2 Villanueva. “We had been victimized by Typhoon Yolanda and it would be tragic if the typhoon spared our houses but will be lost due to the fire caused by lighted candles or overheated generators,” FO2 Villanueva said. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Landbank extends P1.7M calamity assistance to Aklan LGUs

KALIBO, Aklan, November 26 (PIA6) -- A total of P1.7 million cash relief assistance from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Kalibo Branch was extended recently to Aklan’s 15 municipalities and the Provincial Government which were severely affected by Typhoon Yolanda. The cash relief distribution, which was led by Landbank-Aklan Manager Nina Ituriaga, was held at the Conference Hall of the Provincial Guest House, Provincial Capitol compound. Recipient municipalities included Altavas, Banga, Batan, Buruanga, Ibajay, Kalibo, Lezo, Libacao, Madalag, Makato, Malay, Malinao, Nabas, New Washington and Tangalan. These towns each received P100,000.00 while the Provincial Government of Aklan was granted P200,000.00. Mayors or their respective representatives were at hand to receive the cash relief assistance. The amount extended, according to Manager Ituriaga, is part of the P20.00 million fund donation of the bank to victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas, and the bank’s response to the call of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Meanwhile, as part of the LBP’s information campaign, the attending mayors or their representatives, after the cash distribution, were briefed by Land Bank’s Senior Account Management Specialist (SAMS) Engr. Bernardo Moises, Team Leader of Iloilo Lending Center – Aklan Satellite Office on the LANDBANK CARES Program, which aims to further assist local government units in their rehabilitation programs and to continuously serve their constituents presently needing assistance. The LBP, according to recipient LGUs, was the first in the province to extend this kind of support to them after Typhoon Yolanda, said to be the strongest typhoon in the world for 2013, hit Aklan and the rest of Visayan provinces on November 8. As of latest count, the damage assessment report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) recorded a total of P2,678,759,988.57 in damages to Aklan’s agriculture, infrastructure, lifelines and public utilities. The report also recorded a total of 13 dead, 526 injured, 52,278 partially destroyed houses and 33,626 totally destroyed houses. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Aklan Restos now serving half-cup rice orders

KALIBO, Aklan, November 5 (PIA6) -- Most of Aklan’s food industry here from fast food to restaurants welcome the ordinance proposed by the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) requiring the food service industry within the province to include one-half cup of cooked rice in their menu. The food industry sector, through respective representatives, indicated their support for the ordinance at the public hearing held November 5 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall. The ordinance is sponsored by SP Member Soviet Russia A. Dela Cruz which aims to support the rice self-sufficiency program of the national government and to prevent rice wastage in fast foods, restaurants, catering services and other occasions. To emphasize the necessity of the passing of the ordinance, Dela Cruz cited empirical evidences that availability of half cup rice servings would minimize wastage especially in the food service industry. He also cited the study of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) that every Filipino wastes about 2 tablespoons of cooked rice every meal. De la Cruz’ draft ordinance also stated that in 2010, the Philippines’ wasted rice was equivalent to 13% of the total rice imports of the same year amounting to P6.2 B, or the consumption of nearly P2.6 million Filipinos in a year. Besides representatives of Aklan’s food industry who indicated their support to the ordinance by including the half-cup rice in their menu, others who gave their position statements for the ordinance were the Sangguniang Bayan Committee Chairs on Food and Agriculture from Aklan’s 17 towns, municipal agricultural officers, Philippine National Police (PNP) ordinance officers of different municipalities and the media. Covered by the ordinance are all businesses, institutions, and companies responsible for any meal prepared outside the home which includes, but are not limited to, restaurants, school,office, and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and fast-food chains operating within the territorial jurisdiction of the municipality. These establishments will be required to include one-half cup cooked rice in their regular menu with price set exactly half of one cup; and to make half cup rice the default serving especially in caterings. Once approved, any food service provider found violating the ordinance shall be penalized with a fine of P1,000.00 for first offense; P3,000.00 and 1 month suspension of license to operated for second offense; and fine of P5,000.00 and permanent cancellation of license or permit to operate for 3rd offense. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Aklanon News: Mga establisimientong kaean-an sa Aklan, suportado ro ordinansa sa "half-cup rice"

KALIBO, Aklan, Nobyembre 5 (PIA6) -- Kaeabanan ku mga kaean-an iya sa Aklan halin sa “fast-food” hasta sa mga restaurant hay naga suporta sa ordinansa nga gina proponer it Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) nga naga mando sa mga kaean-an sa probinsya nga ieakot sa andang menu ro pagbaligya it tunga sa cup nga eaha nga humay sa andang mga menu. Ro sektor sa industriya sa pagkaon, paagi sa andang mga representante hay nag indikar ku andang pagsuporta sa ordinansa sa ginhiwat nga public hearing nga ginhiwat ku Nobyembre 5 sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall. Ro ordinansa hay gin sponsor ni SP Member Soviet Russia Dela Cruz nga tuyo nga suportahan ro programa it gobyerno para sa supisyente nga bugas sa nasyon ag malikawan ro pag inamulit it humay sa mga fastfood ag restaurant. Agud ipa intindi ro importansya it pagpasar it ordinansa, ginhambae man ni Dela Cruz ro pagserbe it tunga sa cup nga humay hay makapahagan-hagan it amulit it humay kapin eonggid sa mga kaean-an. Ginsambit man nana ro pagtuon it Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) nga kada Pilipino hay naga uyang it daywang (2) kutsarang humay kada kaon. Ginhambae man sa ordinansa nga ku 2010, ro haamulit nga humay it Pilipinas hay katumbas it 13% it kabilugan nga gin import nga bugas it Pilipinas ku rato man nga dag-on nga nag-abot sa P6.2 bilyon ukon gina konsumo it 2.6 milyon nga mga Pilipino sa sang dag-on. Euwas sa mga representante it industriya sa pagkaon nga nagpaabot ku andang suporta sa ordinansa, ro iba pa gid nga nagpaabot ku andang mga positibong posisyon sa ordinansa hay rong mga Committee Chairmen it SB Committee on Food and Agriculture it mga eain-eain nga mga banwa sa Aklan, mga municipal agriculture officers, nga ordinance officers it Philippine National Police (PNP) ag ro media. Daea sa ordinansa ro tanan nga mga negosyo, institutsyon ag nga kompanya nga naga preparar it pagkaon sa guwa it baeay pareho ku mga restaurant, kapeterya it mga eskuylahan ag hospital, ag mga fast food sa sueod it mga banwa. Sanda ra hay dapat mageakot it tunga sa cup nga humay sa andang regular menu sa presyo nga para sa tunga sa cup. Kon maaprobahan ra, ro maga bayolar hay pagapinahan it sang libo (P1,000.00) sa unang pagkasaea, P3,000.00 ag pagsuspindi it sang buean (one month) kon makasaea sa ikaywang kahigayunan ag P5,000.00 ag permanente nga pagkanselar it lisensya ukon permit sa pag operar sa ikatlong pagkasaea. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Massive Kalibo rabies vaccination set

On Thursday, 31 October 2013, 14:30, PIA KALIBO wrote: KALIBO, Aklan, October 31 (PIA6) -- The municipality of Kalibo, in coordination with various public and private entities,will be conducting a massive Rabies Vaccination Drive this month of November. The mass rabies vaccination in Kalibo, according to Dr. Janna Rose Menez, will be held from November of this year up to February 2014 with the help of the Bill and Melinda Gates (BMG) Foundation, the Depatment of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 6 in Iloilo City, Department of Health, Provincial Government of Aklan, and the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian. Dr. Menez said the vaccination of dogs in the municipality of Kalibo will be free and will be done through the house-to-house approach. Because of this, the local government of Kalibo through the Municipal Agricultural Services Division (MASD) which will be conducting the vaccination, is advising dog owners in the municipality to have their dogs dewormed first. The conduct of dog vaccination in Kalibo starting November is in consonance with the yearly observance of Mass Rabies Vaccination Drive throughout the nation, with the aim of making the province and the whole country rabies-free by 2020. During the mass rabies vaccination, the dogs will also be registered, in keeping with Municipal Ordinance No. 2012-015 Section 7 – which calls for the payment of registration fee for dogs and large animals. Just recently, the island of Boracay and the island province of Guimaras were declared rabies-free by the DOH. These areas are the first to be declared in Western Visayas and the DOH and DA top officials who led the event expressed optimism then that soon, other provinces in the region will also be declared rabies-free. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Aklan voters rate barangay elections peaceful

KALIBO, Aklan, October 29 (PIA6)—The shorter time for a voter to stay inside the polling place to vote, the designation of a specific polling place for senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities and the deployment of Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel at polling places contributed much to the conduct of a peaceful and orderly barangay elections in the province of Aklan. This observance was the general sentiment of the voting public in the province when they trooped to polling precincts to vote for their new batch of barangay officials in their respective barangays and towns. In Poblacion Kalibo, with 9,641 voters – the highest in the municipality, voting started upon opening of precincts at 7:00 a.m. at two designated polling places – the Kalibo Pilot Elementary School (KPES) and the Kalibo Integrated Special Education Center (KISEC). Aklan has been identified by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to have two election areas of concern which were Barangay Sigcay in Banga and Barangay Mataphao in New Washington, Aklan, which were given proper attention by the government by deploying elements of the PNP and the Philippine Army from the 12th Infantry Battalion based at Camp Jizmundo, Libas, Banga, Aklan. Except for a complaint from a household who were barred from voting in Sigcay as their forefingers were already tainted with indelible ink when they showed up to vote, no other untoward incidents were reported emanating from the said areas. The Castro Family composed of 5 members who were barred from voting, alleged that their forefingers were tainted with indelible ink already early in the morning by a barangay tanod. Meanwhile, 85 inmates of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) were also able to exercise t

Aklanon News: Barangay election sa Aklan, nangin matawhay

KALIBO, Aklan, Oktubre 30 (PIA6) -- Ro madali nga tyempo sa pagboto, pagbutang it separado nga boeotohan para sa mga magueang, mga nabdus ag may mga diperensya sa eawas ag ro pagbutang it mga katapu it Philippine National Police sa mga lugar ku eleksyon ro nakabulig it mabahoe sa pagpatigayon sa Aklan it sangka matawhay ag maayos nga barangay eleksyon. Raya ro eaban nga nangin obserbasyon it mga Akeanon nga nag-aeadto sa mga presinto it boeotohan ku Oktubre 28, 2013 agud iboto ro andang mga nahamut-an nga masunod nga magapamuno sa andang mga barangay sa mga banwa it Aklan. Ro Poblacion Kalibo nga may mga botante nga 9,641 ag pinakamataas sa bilog nga banwa ro nagbukas it mga presinto kara sa Kalibo Pilot Elementary School (KPES) ag Kalibo Integrated Special Education Center (KISEC) it alas 7 sa agahon ag eagi man nga nagpatigayon it botohan. Gintumod it Commission on Elections (COMELEC) ro Aklan nga may daywang (2) “election areas of concern” nga imaw rong Barangay Sigcay sa Banga ag Barangay Mataphao sa New Washington nga gintaw-an man it nagakaigo nga igtaeupangud it gobyerno paagi sa pagbutang idto it mga katapu it Philippine National Police ag Philippine Army halin sa 12th Infantry Battalion nga nakabase sa Camp Jizmundo, Libas, Banga, Aklan. Samtang, 58 nga mga inmates nga nakahunong sa Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) ro nakapatigayon it pagboto idto mismo sa sueod it pasilidad. Madali eamang ro nangin proseso it pagboto idto, suno kay BJMP-Aklan Jail Officer Allan Lariosa, bangud natapos ra eagi it alas 8:30 it agahon. Suno sa listahan it COMELEC-Aklan, may 676 nga mga kandidato ro nagdaeagan sa posisyob nga barangay chairman sa bilog nga probinsya samtang 5,620 ro nagdaeagan para barangay kagawad. Pila man nga mga kandidato para barangay chairman ro nagdaeagan nga owa it kontra, pareho sa Balete nga napueo (10) sa dose (12) nga mga kandidato ro owa it nagkontra, samtang ro ibang mga banwa hay may una man nga owa it nagkontra, pero pinaka abo ro sa Balete. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Friday, October 25, 2013

Aklan men's group calls for end of violence against women, children

KALIBO, Aklan, October 24 (PIA6) -- As the nation celebrates Children’s Month this October, the Men Opposed to Violence Against Women Everywhere (MOVE) Aklan Chapter is calling for more vigilance and concerted action to put an end to violence against the province’ children. MOVE-Aklan issued this call amidst report from the Child Protection Unit (CPU) here housed at the Daeangpan it mga Kababayen-anit Aklan that as of October 8 of this year, child abuse cases reached 73. Of these cases, 55 were victims of sexual abuse and 14 suffered physical abuses, with ages of victims ranging from 12 to 15. “The report also cited that there were more victims whose ages range from 2-8 years old”, MOVE-Aklan said in its issued statement on Children’s Month celebration. The men’s movement said that Children’s Month is an opportune time for all sectors of Aklanon Society to make a stand to put an end to exploitation of children, as in most cases, the persons who are the supposed protectors of these children are the abusers and perpetrators of said dastardly acts. To end the abuses, MOVE-Aklan called on all Aklanons, concerned agencies, families, parents, schools and non-government organizations to operationalize the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), educate children of their rights and appealed to all Aklanon men to respect and love not only the women but also the boys and girls – the children. MOVE-Aklan also said everyday should be made a Children’s Day by freeing the children from violence and abuse. MOVE-Aklan, currently headed by Jones Arrieta of Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) here as President, is an organization of principled Aklanon men working towards the elimination of Gender-Based Violence and adhering to the principle of never to commit and condone Violence Against Women (VAW). This year’s Children’s Month theme is “Kahirapan Wakasan, Karapatan ng Bata Ipaglaban!”(VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Beware of plumped-up chicken, botcha - FNRI-DOST

KALIBO, Aklan, October 24 (PIA6) -- Ever wondered why the 1 kilogram-dressed chicken you bought from the market shrunk upon going home and shed water? Chances are, according to a lecture of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) here during the NUTRICOMNET monitoring meeting and media forum held October 24 at the DOST-Aklan Provincial Science and Technology Center, Provincial Capitol Compound, Kalibo, the chicken might have been plumped, by injecting it with water to add weight to the meat. This and other current issues on Food Safety, like nitrates and nitrItes and “botcha”, were presented by Victor Alfonso, who lectured on Food Fortification and Food Safety. Alfonso said that in the United States, plumping is a process by which some chicken companies inject raw chicken meat with salt water, chicken stock and seaweed extract supposedly to make the meat tastier and juicier. In the Philippines however, Alfonso said the practice is done by unscrupulous businessmen in order to earn more, at the expense of the consumers. Plumping chickens is very disadvantageous too, as it will be more expensive for consumers because of additional 15-39% additional weight; unhealthy because the chicken contains 200-500 mg sodium per serving versus 45-70 mg in unplumped chicken, increases risk of hypertension and heart attack; and may be unsafe, because in the Philippines, where plumping is unregulated, the safety of the solution used in plumping is unsure. As for nitrates, its use could form carcinogenic nitrosoamines in meat when exposed to high temperature, but this could be countered with the addition of Vitamin C and E as these antioxidants may inhibit the formation of nitorsoamines. “Botcha”, on the other hand, or meat taken from an animal that has died of disease, must not be consumed, instead, the dead animal should be properly disposed by burning or burying the diseased animal carcass, Alfonso said. He also cited Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag who said that people who eat meat of diseased pigs can contract all sorts of illnesses which can lead to death. There are also no assurances that after cooking botcha, the meat is already safe to eat, or all the bacteria are gone. Also with Alfonso at the NUTRICOMNET monitoring-meeting and media forum was Marilou Galang, Sr. Science Research Specialist, who talked on the country’s Nutrition Situation and Consequences of Malnutrition. The activity, which was facilitated by DOST-Aklan headed by Provincial Science and Technology Director Jairus Lachica, was attended by Aklan’s local media, government information officers and representatives from the academe. (VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Aklanon News: DOT, igaduso ro mala-baeangaw nga mga kilid it karsada sa WV

KALIBO, Aklan, Oktubre 22 (PIA6) -- Ro puno it kolor nga mga kilid it karsada sa bilog nga Western Visayas hay plano nga taw-an it katumanan it Department of Tourism (DOT). Ginhambae ni DOT 6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas nga raya hay matabu paagi sa pagtanum it mga nagabueak nga hardin sa kilid it mga karsadahon agud makatao it dugang pa gid nga atraksyon para sa mga turista nga nagaadto sa rehiyon. Suno kana, pwede nga umpisahan ro pagtanum halin sa mga kilid it karsada halin sa Kalibo International Airport (KIA) paadto sa Caticlan, Malay, ro ginatabukan paadto sa isla it Boracay. Ro mga pagtanum hay pagahimuon man dayon sa mga karsadahon it mga probinsya it Rehiyon 6 agud ro kolor kara hay mangin matsa ana ku baeangaw, suno kay Catalbas. Ginpaabot ni Catalbas ro plano ngara sa sangka pagpakig-angot kana sa radyo nahanungod sa pagdungka it sangka cruise ship sa isla it Boracay kurundaya eamang. Ginhambae nana nga ro butang ngara hay ana pa nga ipresentar kay Governor Florencio T. Miraflores agud rayang plano hay magamadinaeag-on. Nag-apelar man imaw sa mga pumueuyo, mga pribadong sektor ag iba pang mga grupo sa probinsya agud rayang proyekto hay mapatigayon. (VGV PIA6 Aklan)

DOT bats for rainbow-colored Western Visayas roadsides

KALIBO, Aklan, October 22 (PIA6) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is batting to make everyday in Western Visayas a Flower Festival by making roadsides of the region colorful with planted flowering plants. DOT 6 Regional Director Atty. Helen Catalbas said the planting of flowering plants could be started first from Kalibo International Airport (KIA) to Caticlan, Malay, the jump-off point to Boracay Island, and then duplicated all over the region to make the roadsides colored “like the rainbow”. Catalbas shared this plan with radio listeners in an interview here recently on the arrival of a cruise ship in Boracay Island. Catalbas said she plans to take up this matter with Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores for this project to successfully take off. She also appealed to barangays folks, the private sectors and other entities to help make this project successful. (VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Friday, October 18, 2013

14 Aklan establishments join DTI's "Diskwento" sal

KALIBO, Aklan, October 18 (PIA6) -- Fourteen (14) business establishments in Kalibo will be joining the In-Store “Diskwento” Sale Project here organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as one of the major activities of the agency in celebration of Consumer Welfare Month this October. DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado Cadena Jr. said these establishments include AIM School Supply, Baclaran Sa Kalibo, City Square Traders, Gaisano Capital, Kalibo, Kok’s Stitch and Crafts (3 branches in Kalibo), Lind’s Dry Goods Store, Maxx Enterprise, New Fu’s Merchandise, New Magdalena Marketing, Otto General Merchandise, Startline Furniture, Stella’s Marketing, Susan’s Dry Goods Store and Thumbelina Books and Supplies. These establishments, which offer school supplies, school shoes/uniforms, ready to wear items, fashion accessories, gift items, kitchen wares, furniture, cellphones, and Christmas lights/decors, will be selling at discounted prices ranging from 5%, 10%, 20% and 50%. Cadena said the holding of the “Diskwento” Sale Project intends to give consumers the chance to buy a wide variety of consumer products at discounted and affordable prices. At the same time, the project, which will be held from October 18 to 20, will also be an opportunity for manufacturers and dealers to practice their corporate social responsibility to consumers. Besides this “Diskwento” project, to celebrate Consumer Welfare Month, the DTI conducted early this month a forum on Consumerism attended by various municipal consumer associations and school-based consumer advocates clubs, heads and representatives of national government agencies and provincial offices and the media, and radio guestings to talk on the essence of consumer welfare, responsibilities of consumers and business establishments and other issues and concerns. This year’s theme is “Health products’ quality, efficacy and transparency…everybody’s concern. (DTI/JCM/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)

Monday, September 30, 2013

Aklanon News: Metrology Center, bukas eon sa Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan, Septyembre 24 (PIA6) -- Makasiguro eon ro mga Aklanon nga husto sa timbang ro andang ginabakae sa mga tindahan bangud sa pagbukas eon it Provincial Metrology Center sa Department of Science and Technology (DOST) sa pagserbe sa probinsya. Ro Provincial Metrology Center, suno kay Jairus Lachica, Provincial Science and Technology Director, hay magapatigayon it pag inspeksyon ag pagselyo it mga timbangan ag sukatan nga ginamando it Philippine Metrology Laws nga nakabutang sa Philippine Commission Act No. 1519. Dugang pa gid ni Lachica, ro Provincial Metrology Center hay imaw ro mangin satellite office it National Metrology Laboratory it Pilipinas sa idaeum it DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), ro pinakauna ag solohanon nga "accredited" nga laboratory sa Pilipinas nga naga kalibrar ag naga testing it mga sueukatan ag kilohan it mga pribadong upisina. Agud malikawan ro bukon it otorisado nga pagliso o pagbag-o it mga estado it kilohan ukon sueukatan, pagaselyuhan ro tanan nga mga gamit nga ginkalibras sa metrology center. Pila sa mga serbisyo nga ginatanyag it metrology center hay ro pagkalibrar it 10-60 kg it “dial type spring scale, pagkalibrar it 500 kg platform scale ag “volume calibration” para sa 10 liters calibrating bucket. Sa pagkalibrar it mga maintok nga kilohan, magasukot ro metrology center it P85.00 hasta P280.00 ag kon maeagko nga kilohan, P770.00 ro pagabayran ag dugang nga P14.00 sa kada kadugangan nga tonelada. Sa pagkalibrar it “buckets” halin sa 5 hasta 20 litros, ro igasukot hay P115.00. Ro pagkalibrar para sa “trailer/vehicle/tankers hasta sa 4,000 litor hay magabalor it P280.00 ag sa sobra sa 4,000 nga litros – P280.00 ag dugang nga P35.00 sa kadugangan nga 1,000 litros. (DOST/JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

GNP can also mean 'Good News Philippines' - Coloma

KALIBO, Aklan, Sept. 28 (PIA6) -- GNP, which means Gross National Product, can also mean “Good News Philippines”, according to Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. Secretary Coloma gave this insight to officers and members of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) attending the the 2013 National PR Congress held from September 27-28 at the Paradise Garden Resort in Boracay Island where he was the invited as Keynote Speaker. In tackling GNP, Coloma started his talk before the public relations practitioners mostly coming from various firms in Manila by citing the power of information and communication, which saw the election of President Benigno S. Aquino III in 2010 under the “Daang Matuwid” slogan. The Daang Matuwid, according to him, resulted to the surge of credit ratings for the country, which also raised the GNP. He illustrated the significance of GNP by citing two cycles – vicious and virtuous, explaining that under the vicious cycle which was experienced prior to President Aquino’s administration, corruption in government produced a weak economy which created a bad reputation for the country, weak public institutions which are incompetent and prone to corruption. “A virtuous cycle, on the other hand, produces a good government which results to good economics, stronger public institutions resulting to good governance,” Coloma said. As GNP is the mirror image of the Philippines, Coloma said this should be sustained, and could be achieved with the help of public relations practitioners and the media institutions by providing the right information and appropriate programs especially in television, and by doing away with much games shows and “telenovelas”. He also called on the PR practitioners to help create a paradigm shift through the resurgence of “Bayanihan” and join hand in hand to leap from creating propaganda to education and truth telling; from putting down to leveling up by the quality of news being delivered and programs shown on television, and from looking good to doing good and communicating well. The 2013 National PR Congress in Boracay was attended by more than 200 delegates with the theme “From Ripples to Waves: PR as Agent of Sustainable Change". It is the first-ever national congress held outside Manila, according to Charmaine Canillas, congress committee chairperson. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Provincial Metrology Center now open to serve Aklan

KALIBO, Aklan, September 24 (PIA6) -- The Provincial Metrology Center, housed at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Building at the Provincial Capitol compound is now open and ready to provide quality service to Aklanons. The Provincial Metrology Center, according to DOST Provincial Science and Technology Provincial Director Jairus Lachica, provides inspection and sealing of weights and measures for mass and volume as required by the Philippine Metrology Laws on Philippine Commission Act No. 1519. Lachica said the Provincial Metrology Center here will be the satellite office of National Metrology Laboratory of the Philippines under the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), the first and only accredited laboratory in the Philippines that conducts calibration and testing services to private firms on various measurements through mass, volume, pressure, force, length, density, volume, etc. To guard against unauthorized adjustments, the center will perform calibration and install seal of all instruments determining weights and measures brought to DOST-Aklan for inspection. Lachica said this function of the center is stated in the Consumer Act under Republic Act 7394. Among the services include the mass calibration of 10-60 kg dial type spring scale, mass calibration for 500 kg platform scale and volume calibration for 10 liters calibrating bucket. For calibration of small weighing scales, the metrology center charges from P85.00 – P280.00 while for bigger weighing scales, the client will be charged P770.00 plus P14.00 for additional ton. For calibrating buckets ranging from 5 to 20 liters, the center will be charging P115.00. Calibration for trailer/vehicle/tankers up to 4,000 liters will cost the client P280.00 and for over 4,000 liters – P280.00 plus P35.00 for additional 1,000 liters. (DOST /JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Participation of Aklan Women for inclusive growth pushed

KALIBO, Aklan, September 26 (PIA6) – To make Aklan women feel that they are important partners of the province’ economic development, the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) had been tasked by the provincial government to see to it that projects implemented utilizing Gender and Development (GAD) funds benefit women mostly. This call was made recently by Provincial Governor Florencio T. Miraflores when he was presented with the accomplishments and plans of the Gender and Development (GAD) program of Aklan, the new mandates in relation to GAD and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) in partnership with the Spanish Agency for International Development (AECID) at the Gov. Roberto Q. Garcia Building. Governor Miraflores himself issued the call after the respective presentations of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the proper utilization of GAD budget by local government units and barangays, and that of Jesebel Vidal, Aklan GAD Focal Point Person, who described the present condition of Aklan women as helpless, harassed, lacking in birthing facilities, abused and violated, based on reports of the National Statistics Office, the Philippine National Police, and the Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU). The CIU is housed at the Daeangpan it Mga Kababayen-an it Aklan, constructed yet during the first 9-years stint of Miraflores as Provincial Governor and utilized to temporarily shelter and treat abused and displaced women. Miraflores said GAD should focus on things that matter most, like livelihood for women. As an example, he told the group who attended the activity, composed of AGADC members coming from national government agencies, provincial government departments and non-government organizations about the venture of USWAG Development Foundation, an NGO, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to revive the basket-making industry for the women of Dumatad, Tangalan. “This is the kind of project that we should prioritize to make the women a part of the economic development of Aklan, and be included in the inclusive growth especially those in the barangays”, Miraflores said. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Monday, September 23, 2013

Footprints, 'paws' in the sand mark rabies-free declaration

KALIBO, Aklan, September 20 (PIA6) -- Besides footprints of tourists and locals, Boracay’s white sand beach will also be decorated with pawsprints by the island dogs on September 27 with the holding of a dog walk in the country’s prime tourist destination to drum up awareness about responsible dog ownership, healthy pets and a healthy community. Dubbed “Paws in the Sand”, the dog walk will set the stage to a breakthrough activity the following day, September 28, which will be the formal declaration of Boracay Island as a Rabies-Free Zone in Western Visayas, together with the province of Guimaras. The Dog Walk, organized by the Provincial Government of Aklan through the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET) here will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. from Station 2 to Station 3, Boracay Island. Registration is free, according to OPVET-Aklan, but dog owners should take note of several guidelines set by the office for the success of the activity as well as the safety of onlookers, dog-owners and the participating dogs too, like having the dogs vaccinated not more than 1 year and not less than 14 days before the dog walk; providing leash or muzzles to the dogs and maintaining them under full control throughout the event, provision of food, water and other necessities to the dogs during the walk by owners, and the presentation of a valid rabies vaccination certificate upon registration duly performed by a licensed veterinarian. Owners/handlers must not also let their dogs dig, chase or harm other animals or disturb other participants or observers; participants should provide “diapers” if necessary or the handler must be ready to clean up after their dogs, and should any untoward incidents occur like accidental bites, scratching, damage to properties, dog owners must take responsibility. Meanwhile, the activity on September 28 will be held to coincide with the celebration of World Rabies Day, according to the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Western Visayas. Expected to grace the declaration are Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas, DOH Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag, a representative from World Health Organization (WHO) and health officials from DOH-CHD Western Visayas. Malay Mayor John Yap will be welcoming guests and participants while Governors Florencio T. Miraflores of Aklan and Samuel Gumarin of Guimaras will deliver acceptance speeches. A ceremonial unveiling of the marker will also be held, to be led by the Department of Health – National Center for Health Development, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry, and the local government units. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Aklan measles ward up to prevent disease spread

KALIBO, Aklan, September 17 (PIA6) -- A measles ward had been established at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH) in the wake of a high number of cases affecting Aklanons, especially children, since January of this year. The establishment of the measles ward at the DRSTMH is one of the measures being employed by the provincial government in order to halt measles virus transmission, according to Dr. Cornelio Cuachon of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) who shared this information during the Monday flag-raising ceremonies at the Provincial Capitol here. Presently, Cuachon said that out of 140 suspected cases of measles in Aklan from January to September 11 of this year, 51 cases are already laboratory confirmed. Two from Barangay Manika, Libacao, on the other hand, have died from the disease due to complications from pneumonia. Besides pneumonia complications, Cuachon also warned against ear infection, blindness and loose-bowel movements resulting from measles. Presently, provincial health officials are strictly implementing preventive and control measures for measles in the province of Aklan to cut short measles transmission as suggested by DOH-CHD, like managing cases and contacts to limit spread through monitoring and follow-up of all reported suspect cases, limited exposures to measles cases in the health centers and out-patient departments through the creation of “fast lane” for patients with fever and rash, admission of measles cases in measles ward and isolation rooms; and Vitamin A supplementation to all measles cases as per recommendation. Municipalities like Kalibo, Malay and other areas with clustering of measles cases are conducting the following: immunization of their 6 to 8 months old infants; timely routine immunization as anti-measles vaccines (AMV0 in all areas; Community Catch Up Immunization of 1-5 years old; and school-based immunization only for selected areas, with high school as the first priority, elementary school, second priority and Day Care Centers as third priority in Kalibo, Malay, Balete, Altavas, Numancia, Lezo and other areas with clustering of measles cases. Of Aklan’s 17 municipalities, 12 have confirmed cases while the 5 – Buruanga, Batan, Madalag, Ibajay and Nabas have suspected cases but no laboratory-confirmed cases. (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)

Aklanon News: "Dog Walk", hiwaton sa Boracay

Ni Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Septyembre 20 (PIA6) -- Euwas sa agi it siki it mga turista ag lokal nga mga residente, pagamarkahan man it agi it siki it mga ayam ro maputi ag pino nga baeas it Boracay sa pagahiwaton sa Septyembre 27 idto nga “Dog Walk”. Ro paghiwat it “Dog Walk” sa isla sangka paagi agud ro mga pumueuyo hay makasayud nahanungod sa pagiging responsible nga tag-ana ukon agaeon it ayam, mayad nga pangeawason it mga ayam ag iba pang mga alaga ag pagtuga it sangka mayad nga komunidad. Sa tigueo nga “Paws in the Sand”, ro dog walk hay imaw rong magabukas sa mas mabahoe nga hiliwaton pagka-aga, Septyembre 28, kon siin pormal nga igadeklarar ro isla it Boracay bilang sangka “Rabies-Free Zone”, kaibahan rong probinsya it Guimaras. Ro Dog Walk hay gin-organisar it gobyerno probinsyal it Aklan paagi sa Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET) nga pagahiwaton halin it alas 4:00 sa hapon hasta alas 6:00 halin sa Station 2 paadto sa Station 3 sa isla it Boracay. Libre ro pagparehistro para sa Dog Walk, pero may mga sueundadon nga ginatuman ro OPVET sa tag-ana it mga ayam agud mangin madinaeag-on ro aktibidad ag indi mabutang sa peligro ro mga nagatan-aw, mga tag-ana it ayam ag mga ayam mismo. Pila sa mga dapat obserbahan, suno sa OPVET, hay rong pagpabakuna it maga-entra nga ayam nga dapat hay indi magsobra sa sang dag-on ag indi man magkueang sa 14 dias antes ro dog walk; paghigot ag pagbutang it busae sa ayam ag pagkontrol kara hasta matapos ro dog walk; pagtao it pagkaon, tubi ag iba pang kinahangeanon sa mga ayam ag pagpakita it sangka balido nga sertipiko it pagbakuna nga ginpatigayon it lisensyado nga beterinaryo sa tyempo it pagparehistro. Indi man dapat pagpabay-an it mga tag-ana ro mga ayam nga magkutkot ag magpangeagas it ibang ayam ukon mag-istorbo sa ginapatigayon nga aktibidad ag dapat nga haum nga magpanglimpyo ro tag-ana it ayam kon maghigko ro andang alaga, ag ingkaso nga may hi-angkit ukon hikaeos ro andang alaga ukon makapanamad it gamit, raya hay dapat sabton it tag-ana. Samtang, ro pagdeklarar sa Septyembre 28 it isla it Boracay ag probinsya it Guimaras bilang “Rabies-Free Zones” hay gintama man sa pagselebrar it World Rabies Day, suno sa Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Western Visayas. Ginaeauman nga mag-abot sa nasambit nga aktibidad sanday DA Secretary Proceso Alcala, DOH Secretary Enrique Ona, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, DOH Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag, sangka representante halin sa World Health Organization, ag mga opisyales halin sa DOH-CHD-WV. Iga-abi-abi ni Malay, Aklan Mayor John Yap ro mga bisita samtang sanday Governor Florencio T. Miraflores it Aklan ag Governor Samuel Gumarin it Guimaras hay magapaabot it “acceptance speeches”. May ceremonial unveiling man it marking nga pagahiwaton sa pagpamuno it DOH- National Center of Health Development, DA-Bureau of Animal Industry ag mga gobyerno lokal it Aklan. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Aklanon News: 'Measles Ward' gin-establisar sa Aklan

Ni Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Septyembre 18 (PIA6) -- Sangka “measles ward” ro nakabutang makaron sa Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH) bangud sa mabahoe nga numero it mga Aklanon nga nagamasakit it tipdas. Ro pag-establisar it “measles ward” sa DRSTMH hay sangka tikang nga ginahimo makaron it gobyerno probinsyal agud maabangan ro pageapnaag it tipdas, suno kay Dr. Cornelio Cuachon it Provincial Health Office (PHO) nga nagpaabot ku rayang impormasyon sa ginhiwat nga flag ceremony sa prente it Provincial Capitol Building. Ginsugid ni Cuachon nga sa makaron, 140 eon halin ku Enero hasta Setyembre 11 sa probinsya ro nagbaeatian it ginasuspetsahan nga tipdas, kon siin 51 kara kanda hay na konpirmar nga tipdas gid man paagi sa pagtan-aw sa laboratoryo. Daywa kara, sugid ni Cuachon, ro namatay nga taga Barangay Manika, Libacao, nga nag grabe bangud sa komplikasyon sa pneumonia. Sa makaron, ro mga opisyales sa ospital iya sa probinsya hay maid-id nga naga implementar it mga pag-abang ag pagpugong sa pageapnaag it tipdas sa probinsya, nga imaw ro gin sureher it Department of Health- Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) – Western Visayas, pareho ku istrikto nga pagbantay it mga apektado it tipdas, paglimitar it contact it mga tawo sa nagamasakit it tipdas, pagbutang ngani it “measles ward”, “fast lane” para sa nagapakonsulta ag pagtao it Vitamin A supplementation sa mga nagamasakit it tipdas. Ro mga banwa it Kalibo, Malay ag iba pang mga lugar nga may mgakaso it tipdas hay nagapatigayon sa makaron it pagbakuna sa mga eapsag nga ga-edad it 6-8 buean, mga unga nga ga-edad it sang dag-on hasta limang dag-on, ag mga estudyante sa high school, elementarya ag Day Care. Sa 17 nga mga banwa it Aklan, 12 kara ro may kumpirmado nga mga kaso it tipdas, samtang limang (5) ka banwa- Buruanga, Batan, Madalag, Ibajay ag Nabas ro may mga ginasuspetsahan nga kaso it tipdas pero owa it ha konfirmar sa laboratoryo. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Footprints, 'paws' in the sand mark rabies-free declaration

KALIBO, Aklan, September 20 (PIA6) -- Besides footprints of tourists and locals, Boracay’s white sand beach will also be decorated with pawsprints by the island dogs on September 27 with the holding of a dog walk in the country’s prime tourist destination to drum up awareness about responsible dog ownership, healthy pets and a healthy community. Dubbed “Paws in the Sand”, the dog walk will set the stage to a breakthrough activity the following day, September 28, which will be the formal declaration of Boracay Island as a Rabies-Free Zone in Western Visayas, together with the province of Guimaras. The Dog Walk, organized by the Provincial Government of Aklan through the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET) here will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. from Station 2 to Station 3, Boracay Island. Registration is free, according to OPVET-Aklan, but dog owners should take note of several guidelines set by the office for the success of the activity as well as the safety of onlookers, dog-owners and the participating dogs too, like having the dogs vaccinated not more than 1 year and not less than 14 days before the dog walk; providing leash or muzzles to the dogs and maintaining them under full control throughout the event, provision of food, water and other necessities to the dogs during the walk by owners, and the presentation of a valid rabies vaccination certificate upon registration duly performed by a licensed veterinarian. Owners/handlers must not also let their dogs dig, chase or harm other animals or disturb other participants or observers; participants should provide “diapers” if necessary or the handler must be ready to clean up after their dogs, and should any untoward incidents occur like accidental bites, scratching, damage to properties, dog owners must take responsibility. Meanwhile, the activity on September 28 will be held to coincide with the celebration of World Rabies Day, according to the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Western Visayas. Expected to grace the declaration are Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas, DOH Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag, a representative from World Health Organization (WHO) and health officials from DOH-CHD Western Visayas. Malay Mayor John Yap will be welcoming guests and participants while Governors Florencio T. Miraflores of Aklan and Samuel Gumarin of Guimaras will deliver acceptance speeches. A ceremonial unveiling of the marker will also be held, to be led by the Department of Health – National Center for Health Development, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry, and the local government units. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Aklanon News: Isla it Boracay, igadeklarar nga "rabies-free zone"

KALIBO, Aklan, Septyembre 13 (PIA6) -- Opisyal nga igadeklarar ro isla it Boracay nga “Rabies-Free Zone” sa Septyembre 28 it dag-on ngara kaibahan ro probinsya it Guimaras nga gintama sa pagselebrar it World-Rabies Day. Ro pagdeklarar sa isla it Boracay ag probinsya it Guimaras bilang “rabies-free” hay angot sa ginpatigayon nga “Rabies-Free Visayas Island Project” nga gin-umpisahan ku 2010 it Department of Health (DOH) sa pagkoordinar sa Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) sa tuyo nga dueaon ro rabies sa tawo sa mga Rehiyon 6,7 ag 8 sa 2015 paagi sa pagduea it rabies sa ayam paagi sa pagbakuna. Ginasuportahan man ro proyekto ngara it Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation paagi sa World Health Organization, suno sa DOH. Suno sa Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET), pilang mga personalidad ro magasaksi sa deklarasyon sa pangpanguna ni DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, DOH Secretary Enrique Ona ag DA Secretary Proceso Alcala. Euwas sa pagtao it mga plaque ag sertipiko sa isla it Boracay ag Guimaras bilang mga Rabies-Free Zones, may pagahiwaton man nga ceremonial unveiling it marker it DOH-National Center for Health Promotion (NCHP), DA-BAI ag gobyerno lokal. Magapaabot it mensahe si Secretary Alcala samtang si Secretary Ona ro mangin Keynote Speaker. Si Malay Mayor John Yap ro maga-abi-abi sa mga bisita samtang nga DOH-CHD hay magapresenta it sangka audio-visual presentation sa “Achieving Visayas Rabies-Free Zone, samtang may mga mensahe man sa pagbaton it award sanday Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores ag ro gobernador it probinsya it Guimaras. May press conference man nga pagahiwaton nga iga-“moderate” ni DOH Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag. Base sa listahan it OPVET, ro isla it Boracay ku 2011 hay may mga 638 nga ayam kon siin tanan ra hay rehistrado. Ro habakunahan kara hay 547 ukon 85.70%. Ro pinaka “target” nga mabakunahan hay 70% agud ro sangka lugar hay madeklarar nga “rabies-free”, suno sa OPVET. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Press Release: Boracay Island to be declared Rabies-Free zone

KALIBO, Aklan, Sept. 14 (PIA6) -- The island of Boracay will be officially declared a Rabies-Free Zone together with Guimaras Province on September 28, 2013 in time for the celebration of World Rabies Day. The declaration of Boracay Island and Guimaras as rabies-free is in line with the Rabies-Free Visayas Islands Project initiated in 2010 by the Department of Health (DOH) in coordination with the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) with the aim of eliminating human rabies in Regions 6, 7 and 8 by 2015 by wiping out canine rabies through dog vaccination. The project is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the World Health Organization, according to the DOH. Based on the tentative program of activities provided by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET) here, several national personalities will be gracing the declaration event in Boracay Island, led by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas, DOH Secretary Enrique Ona, and DA Secretary Proceso Alcala. Besides the awarding of certificates and plaques to Boracay Island and Guimaras Province, there will also be a ceremonial unveiling of the marker by the DOH-National Center for Health Promotion (NCHP), DA-BAI and the local government unit. Secretary Alcala will be delivering a message while Secretary Ona will be the Keynote Speaker. Secretary Mar Roxas, on the other hand, will deliver the response. Also in the program, Malay Mayor John Yap will welcome the participants, the DOH-Center for Health Development 6 will conduct an Audiovisual Presentation on Achieving Visayas Rabies-Free Zone, DOH Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag will introduce the keynote speaker, while Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores and the governor of Guimaras Province will deliver acceptance speeches. A press conference will follow after the awarding program to be moderated by DOH Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag. Based on OPVET records, Boracay Island has a total dog population of 638 which were all registered. Dogs vaccinated with anti-rabies were 547, or 85.70%. Target percentage of dogs that should be vaccinated is at least 70% for an area to be declared as rabies-free, according to OPVET-Aklan. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Aklanon News: Mga negosyante sa Kalibo, bukas sa pagtakod it CCTV

Ni Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Septyembre 12 (PIA6) -- Mainit ro pagbaton it mga Kalibonhong negosyante sa ginaproponer nga ordinansa nga magtakod it Close Circuit Television (CCTV) sa andang mga establisimiento agud mangin euwas sanda sa andang pagnegosyo. Ginpaabot ku mga negosyante ro andang pagsugot sa ginhiwat nga sangka public hearing kurundaya eamang nga ginpatigayon it SB Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation, Communication, Energy and Facilities sa “Draft Ordinance Requiring all Commercial, Industrial and Educational Establishments To Adopt and Install Closed Circuit Television Security system Within Their Respective Facilities and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof”. Sa ginhiwat nga public hearing, ginpaathag nit SB Member Augusto Tolentino, Committee Chairperson ro importansya it pagpakabit it CCTV bangud raya hay epektibo sa pagtipon it impormasyon, pagprotektar sa mga propyedad ag ga abang sa peligro sa kabuhi it mga security guard nga nagabantay sa mga establisimiento eabi eonggid sa gabii. Gindugang pa gid ni Tolentino nga makaabang sa mga krimen ro CCTV ag imaw man sa nagaplano nga makomiter it krimen ukon may planong magpanamad it propyedad. Gatuga man ro mga CCTV it matawhay nga pagpangabuhi bangud maplastar ro pensar it mga negosyante imaw man ro komunidad daea it presensya it mga gamit ngara. Sa parte ni PSupt. John Lemuel Villafranca, hepe it Kalibo Police Station, ro pagbutang it mga CCTV ngara hay mabahoe nga bulig sa Philippine National Police bangud maeumo eon ro andang pagkilaea sa mga ‘suspects’ nga magadaea sa madali nga pagsolbar it krimen. Ginhambae man ni Villafranca nga ro mga ‘digital records’ it CCTV hay magabulig sa mga “government prosecutors” sa pagpaguwa it mga desisyon bangud raya hay magamit nga ebidensya. Sa masunod nga dag-on ro pag-implementar ku “Draft Ordinance” ngara kadungan sa pag renew it mga business permits, suno sa Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan. (LGU-Kalibo/JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Press Release: Kalibo businessmen open to CCTV installations

KALIBO, Aklan, September 11 (PIA6) -- Kalibo’s businessmen have chosen to be safe and secured while conducting their daily business with their warm acceptance of a Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan draft ordinance for the installation of Close Circuit Television (CCTVA) in their respective establishments. The businessmen expressed their willingness to install CCTVs in their establishments at the recent public hearing held by the SB Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation, Communication, Energy and Facilities on the “Draft Ordinance Requiring all Commercial, Industrial and Educational Establishments To Adopt and Install Closed Circuit Television Security System Within Their Respective Facilities and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof”. At the public hearing, SB Member Augusto Tolentino, Committee Chairperson, explained to business owners the urgent need for the installation of CCTVs as this is effective in information gathering, securing of properties and eliminates danger in the life of security guards tasks to protect establishments especially at night. Tolentino added CCTVs could help prevent violent crimes, deter those planning to steal or commit crimes or destruct properties. CCTVs also promote safe and peaceful living as businessmen, as well as the community will feel secure with the presence of these electronic gadgets in their establishments. For his part, PSupt. John Lemuel Villafranca, Kalibo Chief of Police, said the installation of CCTVs will be a big help to the PNP as this will enable them to identify and apprehend suspects, contributing to the fast resolution of crimes. Villafranca added CCTV digital records will also aid government prosecutors in issuing decisions as these could be used as evidences. Implementation of the draft ordinance, according to members of the Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan, will be next year, in time with the renewal of business permits of the municipality’s business community. (LGU-Kalibo/VGV/JCM/ PIA6 Aklan)

News Feature: Fire response now assured in Kalibo, neighboring towns

KALIBO, Aklan, September 9 (PIA6) -- Kalibonhons and constituents of other neighboring municipalities are now assured of being responded to by the Kalibo Fire Station during fire incidents faster with the inauguration and blessing recently of the capital town’s new fire station building located at the Cardinal Jaime L. Sin National Highway in Andagao, Kalibo. From its new building location, fire trucks can easily go to any direction when responding to fire calls as the place is near the town rotunda going to the municipalities of New Washington, Banga, and Kalibo town proper. Besides the capital town of Kalibo, the fire station coverage also includes the towns of Banga, Libacao and Madalag. The inauguration and blessing of the new Kalibo Fire Station Building fulfilled the long-time dream of Kalibonhons to have a permanent structure to house the firetrucks, which came after 35 years of waiting. According to Vice Mayor Madeline Regalado who delivered the opening remarks in the program, for as long as she can remember, the fire station of Kalibo has been always movable, and said the blessing and opening of the fire station building only proves that dreams do come true. Prior to the opening of the new building, Kalibo’s fire trucks are housed at the Kalibo Municipal Building. The construction of the fire station building on its present location came after a rigid scouting of the most ideal and accessible site by the Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan led by Hon. Arnaldo Tejada, as acknowledged by Kalibo officials led by Mayor William Lachica during the opening/blessing. The need for a permanent fire station building for Kalibo emerged yet in 2008 when Typhoon Frank struck Aklan, toppling several fire trucks during the deep flood. The fire trucks’ usefulness also came to the fore at the aftermath of the flood, which were used to hose down mud and then dusts and other debris brought by the flood. In his message, Mayor Lachica relayed how resources were pooled together for the construction of the building coming from the provincial government of Aklan under then Governor Carlito Marquez, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members of Aklan and from the Philippine Amusement and Games Corporation (PAGCOR). Atty. Selwyn Ibarreta, who represented Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, former Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, Provincial Tourism Council Chairperson Vicky Ramos Antonino, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director John Ace Azarcon who all delivered messages, were one in congratulating the local government of Kalibo for the construction of the fire station building. Describing the building as strategically located, Ramos-Antonino also pledged a donation of P100,000.00 for the purchase of additional equipment for the fire station. Kalibo Fire Marshall Inspector Donnie Torre, for his part, thanked the officials and other sectors who contributed to the construction of the structure, saying the gesture is a very big legacy for Kalibo and never to be forgotten. Presently, the fire station houses three working fire trucks. (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Aklanon News: NSO-Aklan magabaton it Seal of Excellence Award

KALIBO, Aklan, Septyembre 7 (PIA6) -- Nakataeana nga magbaton ro National Statistics Office (NSO) Provincial Office it Citizen’s Satisfaction Center Seal of Excellence Award from Civil Service Commission (CSC) sa pagkabuoe it rating nga Excellent Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) Report Card Survey. Rayang impormasyon hay ginpaabot kay NSO6 Regional Director Norman Julag-ay ni CSC Regional Director Rodolfo Encajonado nahanungod sa mayad nga balita para sa NSO-Aklan. Ginsugid ni Encajonado sa anang sueat nga agud mataw-an it pagpadungog ro NSO-Aklan sa anang mayad nga hinimuan, magabaton ra it sangka “wall-mountable glass seal” ag P100,000.00 nga premyo nga paga-gamiton sa pagbakae it mga kagamitan ag iba pang materyales agud hipamayad pa gid ro serbisyo it NSO-Aklan sa Civil Registry System (CRS) kara. Ro pagpadungog hay pagahiwaton sa Septyembre 13 sa syudad it Iloilo nga pagatambungan it mga opisyales it NSO 6 Regional Office ag sanday NSO-Aklan Provincial Statistics Officer Blas M. Solidum ag ana karang pilang ka mga empleyado ag mga opisyales man it CSC. Sa pagpakig-angut kay Solidum, ginhambae nana nga ro pagpadungog nga andang pagabatunon hay pinakauna nga mabaton nanda, ag pagabatunon ra bukon eamang para kana kundi para sa bilog nga pwersa it NSO-Aklan. Gindugang man nana nga ro award hay bukon eamang bangud sa hinimuan it sangka tawo kundi sangka pagtinguha it grupo nga nagatrabaho tanan it mayad. Ginhambae ni Solidum nga plano nanda nga pagagamiton ro P100,000.00 sa pagbakae it CCTV ag gamit sa pagtaeana it numero sa pagserbisyo sa CRS agud indi eon magtinawag it mga numero it mga kliyente. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Aklanon News: Aklan magapakita it mga tumaeagsahong produkto

Ni Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Septyembre 5 (PIA6) -- Igapasundayag it probinsya it Aklan sa pagahiwatong Aklan Product Expo 2013 ro mga tumaeagsahon ag mga mayad-ayad nga mga produkto nga nakataeana sa Septyembre 30 hasta Oktubre 6 it dag-on ngara sa Event Center it SM City-Iloilo. Ro hiliwaton ngara hay ginakabuligan it Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Hugod Aklanon Producers Association Inc. ag gobyerno probinsyal it Aklan, nga sangka dag-unan nga aktibidad it mga Micro, Small ag Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) it Aklan agud ikapakita ag ikabaligya ro mga hinimuang mga produkto sa probinsya sa siyudad it Iloilo ag sa mga kaeapit nga mga probinsya. Pila sa mga produkto ngara hay rong mga haum eon isuksok nga mga eambong nga himo sa pina nga tela, mga pangregalo ag mga gamit sa baeay, suno sa DTI. Igabaligya man idto ro mga ha proseso nga mga produktong karne, mga tinapay ag iba pang pagkaon, mga gamit sa ikamayad it eawas ag iba pang mga produktong pangsuporta sa industriya it turismo. Ginasaligan nga maga entra sa pagahiwaton ngara nga aktibidad it may 28 nga mga MSMEs nga halin sa sari-saring sektor pareho ku sa paghaboe it pina nga tela, mga naga proseso it pagkaon, nagaobra it pangregalo ag iba pang gaeamiton sa baeay. (DTI/JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Aklan slates showcase of eco-friendly products

KALIBO, Aklan, September 5 (PIA6) -- Aklan’s unique, distinctive and eco-friendly products will once again take center-stage with the conduct of the Aklan Product Expo 2013 at the Event Center, SM City Iloilo from September 30 to October 6 of this year. Jointly organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc. and the Provincial Government of Aklan, the activity is a yearly venue for Aklan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase locally-made products to the regional market in Iloilo City and neighboring provinces. Some of these locally-made products to be displayed and sold during the week-long exposition include fashionable hand-woven wearables made from pina and abaca fibers, and gifts and housewares, according to DTI-Aklan. Aklan’s famous processed meat and bakery products, health and wellness as well as other tourism-related and support products will also be available for sale. Expected to join this year’s product exposition are some twenty-eight (28) Aklan MSMEs involved in various sectors producing fiber products, processed food, gift and souvenir items, and houseware items. (DTI/JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Aklanon News: AKELCO pahayagon ro 38 nga mga sitio sa Aklan

KALIBO, Aklan, Septyembre 4 (PIA6) -- Treinta otso (38) nga mga maeayo nga sitio sa mga nabukid nga mga banwa it Aklan ro nakataeana nga butangan it kuryente it Aklan Electric Cooperative Inc. (AKELCO) sa dag-on ngara paagi sa Sitio Electrification Program (SEP). Ro SEP, suno sa AKELCO, ro ginaagihan it kuryente ag imaw man ro naga-implementar it programa ngara hay gina rekognisar mismo ni Presidente Benigno S. Aquino III bilang sambilog sa anang mga mayor nga programa sa pag-agum it pag-umwad it ekonomiya it nasyon paagi sa pagtao it pagbutang it kuryente sa kada panimaeay. Ro pag-implementar it programa sa Aklan hay sabat sa ay Presidente Aquino nga tinindugan nga magtao it kuryente ro pinakapobre nga mga pumueuyo sa nasyon. Ro pagpahayag 38 nga mga probinsya sa dag-on ngara hay kasunod it pagpahayag man 56 nga mga sitio sa idaeum it programa ngara ku 2012. Antes kara, 15 nga mga sitio nga may 551 nga mga panimaway ro hapahayag eon sa mga banwa it Ibajay, New Washington, Altavas, Makato ag Nabas. Eaban sa mga sitio nga pahayagon sa dag-on ngara hay sa Libacao, nga haadtunan eon it mga taga AKELCO agud tan-awon ro lugar. Sa ginhiwat nga pagbisita, eagi-eagi man nga nagpila ro mga pumueuyo idto agud makapalista ag mangin miyembro sa bulig it mga empleyado it AKELCO. Ro mga sitio it Libacao hay maabot eamang paagi sa pagtabok it suba it Akean sakay sa baesa nga botong it pilang beses, pagsakay sa single nga motor ag pagtikang pasaka-panaog sa pilang mga bukid. Euwas sa pagtan-aw it lugar, nagpatigayon man ro mga taga AKELCO it Pre-Membership Orientation Seminar (PMOS) sa mga pumueuyo nga sambilog sa mga kinahangean antes matakdan it kuryente ro sangka baeay. Sa idaeum it programa, ro pagplasta it kable sa sueod it baeay, pati ro mga gaeamiton nga PDX nga #12,#14,#16, daywang (2) Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL), 2 nga switch, sambilog (1) nga outlet, 1 nga junction box ag sangka circuit breaker hay itao it libre. (AKELCO/JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

AKECO slates energization of 38 sitios

KALIBO,Aklan, September 3 (PIA6) -- Thirty-eight (38) remote sitios mostly in Aklan’s hinterland municipalities are set to be energized this year by the Aklan Electric Cooperative Incorporated (AKELCO) under the Sitio Electrification Program (SEP). SEP, according to AKELCO, Aklan’s power distributor and project implementor, is recognized by President Benigno S. Aquino III as one of his banner programs in realizing the socio-economic development of the country by bringing electricity to every Filipino household. The program’s implementation in Aklan is also in response to Aquino’s commitment of providing electricity to the poorest segment of the country as the country’s prime development measures. The energization of 38 far-flung sitios in the province in 2013 followed the 2012 energization of 56 sitios under the program for 2012. Before this, 15 sitios with 551 households were earlier energized in the sitios of Ibajay, New Washington, Altavas, Makato and Nabas. Most of the sitios to be energized this year are in Libacao, Aklan which were already assessed by the institutional team of AKELCO. In the same instance, residents excited to have their houses lighted by electricity lined up to fill up membership forms with the help of the AKELCO staff. These sitios in Libacao could only be reached by several bamboo-raft rides across the headwaters of the Aklan River, then riding on single motorcycles, sometimes by foot along treacherous mountain trails, according to the AKELCO personnel. Besides the sites assessments, the AKELCO people also took the opportunity to conduct Pre-Membership Orientation Seminar (PMOS) to household representatives, one of the requirements before their houses could be provided with electricity. Under the program, the households’ house wiring installations including the wires (PDX) #12, #14,#16 to be used, 2 CFL lights, 2 switches, 1 outlet, 1 junction box and a circuit breaker are free. (AKELCO/JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Aklanon News: Aklan PNP nagpa idaeum sa paghanas para sa epektibong pagbalita

Ni Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Agusto 30 (PIA6) -- Sangka seminar sa pag-improbar it mga paghisayud it mga information officers it Philippine National Police sa pagpaabot it mga impormasyon ag magtuga it mayad nga relasyon sa media ro ginpatigayon kurundaya eamang it Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO). Ginhiwat ro seminar sa Multi-Purpose Hall it APPO sa Camp Pastor Martelino, New Buswang, Kalibo, ag ginpakigsakupan it mga Public Information Officers, Police Community Relations personnel ag mga imbistigador it mga nagkaeain-eain nga estasyon it pulis sa probinsya it Aklan. Suno kay PO3 Nida Gregas, APPO PIO, raya ro ikatlong beses nga naghiwat ro PNP it makarang aktibidad agud mahanas ro mga abilidad it mga PIOs sa pagsueat ag pagpaabot it mga balita. Gintambungan man ro aktibidad it mga katapu it media sa Aklan. Suno mat-a kay APPO Provincial Director SSupt. Pedrito Escarilla, raya hay sambilog nga paagi agud mapamayad-ayad ro pagsinaeayo it PNP ag media. Ginhambae man nana nga paagi sa media, ro PNP hay makapaguwa it mga mayad ag masaligan nga mga balita. Si PO3 Gregas ro nangin speaker sa session sa agahon nga nagtalakay sa sari-saring paagi paagi sa pagtao it mga balita ag mga sueundanon sa pag-atubang sa sari-saring sektor pareho ku media, ro mabahoe nga katuwang it PNP. Sa hapon, ro mga partisipantes hay nagpamati man kay Lyneth Mendoza, Program Director it RGMA-DYRU bilang lecturer nga nagtalakay sa mga stratehiya sa pakig-atubang sa media, kadugangan nga mga “tips” sa pagpaguwa it mga balita, ag sa pagiging epektibo nga mga public information officers it PNP. (APPO/JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Aklan PNP undergo training in info dissemination

KALIBO, Aklan, August 30 (PIA6) -- A seminar-workshop to improve the skills of Aklan’s Philippine National Police-Public Information Officers (PNP-PIOs) in disseminating news as well as to develop a good relationship with the media was initiated here recently by the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO). The seminar-workshop was held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the APPO in Camp Pastor Martelino, New Buswang, Kalibo, and attended by Public Information Officers, Community Relations personnel and investigators of the different police stations of the province. According to PO3 Nida Gregas, APPO PIO, this is the 3rd time for PNP provincial office to hold such activity, aimed to train and develop their newswriting and information dissemination skills. The activity was also joined by representatives of Aklan’s media outlets. The seminar, said APPO Provincial Director SSupt. Pedrito Escarilla, is one way of harnessing the relationship between the PNP and the media. He also emphasized that with the help of the media, the PNP will be able to release good and reliable news. PO3 Gregas served as the speaker and lecturer in the morning session, who discussed the different techniques in providing good quality news and guidelines in dealing with other sectors like the media, the PNP’s acknowledged partner in information dissemination. In the afternoon, the seminar participants had RGMA-DYRU Program Director Lyneth Mendoza as resource speaker, who discussed strategies on dealing with media, and additional pointers for coming up with reliable news materials, as well as on being effective PNP public information officers. (APPO/JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

OWWA nagbulig it mga unga ka mga Aklanong OFWs

KALIBO, Aklan, Agusto 29 (PIA6) -- Limang mga estudyanteng Aklanon sa kolehiyo nga mga unga it Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) ro nagbaton kurundaya eamang it ayuda sa andang pag-eskuyla nga P10,000.00 kada sambilog halin sa Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) sa idaeum it programang OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFWDSP). Sa rayang mga estudyante, daywa (2) hay mga scholars it programa ku 2011 samtang ro nagbaton nga tatlo pa hay para sa 2012, suno kay Vivian Ruiz-solano, Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) manager nga nagsaksi sa pagpanao it bulig it OWWA sa upisina it PESO. Sa idaeum it OFWDSP nga programa, ro OWWA hay nagatao it bulig kada dag-on sa mga nagakalisod pero maaeam nga mga estudyante sa kolehiyo nga ro ginasweldo it ginikanan nga naga obra sa guwa it nasyon hay indi magsobra sa $400.00 kada buean. Ro mga kwalipikado hay makabuoe it ap-at nga dag-on ukon daywang dag-on nga kurso sa mga pangpubliko nga kolehiyo ag unibersidad. May sambilog man nga benefisyaryo, si Jane Carla Banano, sangka 4th year high school nga estudyante nga may OFW man nga ginikanan nga nagbaton it bulig halin sa OWWA ku kamana man nga adlaw. Ro bulig kay Banano nga nagabalor it $100.00 hay sa idaeum it Tuloy Aral Program it OWWA. Ku imaw man nga adlaw, may briefing ag pagpirma it Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) nga ginpatigayon para sa an-um (6) nga mga benefisyaryo para sa 2013 it OFWDSP sa Conference Room it Provincial Guest House. Ro parpirma it MOA hay sa tunga it OWWA Regional Office 6 nga ginrepresentar nanday James Mendiola, Riza Joy Mapa ag Connie Binarao, mga Aklanong estudyante ag andang mga ginikanan ag Governor Florencio T. Miraflores nga ginrepresentar ni Atty. Selwyn Ibarreta, Provincial Administrator. Samtang, may sangka programa pa gid ro OWWA para sa mga unga it OFW nga makapasalig it pag-eskuyla bisan sa pribado nga eskuylahan nga ginatawag nga Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP). Para sa programa ngara, nakataeana nga magbuoe it qualifying examination ro 48 nga mga estudyanteng Aklanon sa Setyembre 22 sa Aklan State University (ASU) Kalibo Campus Cafeteria. Ro eksaminasyon hay igapatigayon it Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Kon mangin kwalipikado, ro mga estudyante ngara hay makabaton it P60,000.00 halin sa OWWA kada dag-on hasta nga sanda hay makatapos. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

OWWA extends educational assistance to children fo OFWs

KALIBO, Aklan, August 28 (PIA) -- Five Aklanon college students whose parents are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) recently received financial assistance of P10,000 each from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) under the OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFWDSP). Of the 5 students, two are the program’s 2011 scholars while 3 are for year 2012, according to Vivian Ruiz-Solano, Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager who witnessed the distribution of the educational assistance held at the PESO office. OWWA, under the OFWDSP, provides financial assistance per year to poor but deserving dependents of OFWs with monthly salaries of not more than $400.00 per month. Qualifiers are entitled to a baccalaureate or associate degree in a state college or university. One other beneficiary who received a financial assistance from OWWA on the same day was Jane Karla Banano, a 4th year high school student from Numancia National School of Fisheries (NNSF). Banano’s financial assistance, amounting to $100.00 is under OWWA’s Tuloy Aral Program. Her mother is also an OFW working in the Middle East. On the same day, a briefing and signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for six Aklanon beneficiaries for 2013 under the OFWDSP was held at the Conference Room of the Provincial Guest House here. The MOA-signing was conducted between OWWA Regional Welfare Office 6 represented by James Mendiola, Riza Joy Mapa and Connie Binarao, and the Aklanon Student Scholars with their parents/guardians and Governor Florencio t.Miraflores, who was represented by Atty. Selwyn Ibarreta, Provincial Administrator. Meanwhile, another OWWA program for children of OFWs to assure their college education which will allow them to enroll in private schools is the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP). Under this program, 48 Aklanon students are set to take the qualifying examination on September 22, 2013 at the Aklan State University Kalibo Campus Cafeteria. The qualifying examination will be given by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Once qualified, the scholar will receive a financial assistance from OWWA amounting to P60,000.00 per year. (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)

Aklanon News: Mga baeay sa Aklan nagdugang it 33% - NSO

Ni Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Agusto 23 (PIA6) -- Naga-inabu ro numero it mga Akeanon nga nagapaugdok ku andang dugalingon nga baeay, suno sa National Statistics Office (NSO). Base sa resulta it 2010 Census of Population and Housing, ginsugid it NSO nga ro probinsya hay may una nga 115,086 nga mga okupadong baeay, kumpara ku halista ku dag-ong 2000 nga may 86,600, nagapakita it 33% nga pagdugang. Raya hay nagakahueugan nga may 101 nga mga pamilya sa kada 100 nga okupadong mga baeay kon siin ro naga okupar hay 4.6 nga mga persona. Ro pinakaeaban nga mga baeay hay imaw ro ‘single-type’, nga nag-abot sa 96% - mas manaba ku sa 97.1 nga halista ku 2000. Sa pihak nga parte, ro ‘duplex’ nga klase it baeay hay nagdugang it 1.7% halin sa 0.4% ku 2000, samtang ro nagabingkit nga mga baeay hay may 0.8% ag commercial/industrial/agricultural nga mga building nga may 0.4%. Sa mga materyales, may 49.4% it mga okupadong mga baeay ku 2010 ro konkreto/hollow block ukon bato ro dingding, nga mas abu ku sa ha report ku 2000 nga may 28.4%. Ro pag gamit it botong/amakan/kugon ag pawod bilang dingding hay nagnaba halin sa 52.4% ku 2000 sa 42.6% sa 2010. Sa klase it atop, nag-improbar man ro materyales, sa pagdugang it naga gamit nga nag-abot sa 45.5% kumpara sa 29.3% ku 2000. Ro pila pa gid nga materyales nga ginagamit bilang atop hay kugon, nipa, ag anahaw nga nagnaba it haeos katunga nga may 49.6% kumpara ku 2000 nga may 64.5%. Suno sa NSO, ro 2010 Census of Population and Housing hay ginhiwat ku Mayo-Hunyo 2010 agud imbentaryuhon ro populasyon ag kabaeayan sa bilog nga nasyon ag mag kolektar it mga impormasyon sa sari-saring klase kara. (NSO/NSO/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Aklanon News: Mga baeay sa Aklan nagdugang it 33% - NSO

Ni Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Agusto 23 (PIA6) -- Naga-inabu ro numero it mga Akeanon nga nagapaugdok ku andang dugalingon nga baeay, suno sa National Statistics Office (NSO). Base sa resulta it 2010 Census of Population and Housing, ginsugid it NSO nga ro probinsya hay may una nga 115,086 nga mga okupadong baeay, kumpara ku halista ku dag-ong 2000 nga may 86,600, nagapakita it 33% nga pagdugang. Raya hay nagakahueugan nga may 101 nga mga pamilya sa kada 100 nga okupadong mga baeay kon siin ro naga okupar hay 4.6 nga mga persona. Ro pinakaeaban nga mga baeay hay imaw ro ‘single-type’, nga nag-abot sa 96% - mas manaba ku sa 97.1 nga halista ku 2000. Sa pihak nga parte, ro ‘duplex’ nga klase it baeay hay nagdugang it 1.7% halin sa 0.4% ku 2000, samtang ro nagabingkit nga mga baeay hay may 0.8% ag commercial/industrial/agricultural nga mga building nga may 0.4%. Sa mga materyales, may 49.4% it mga okupadong mga baeay ku 2010 ro konkreto/hollow block ukon bato ro dingding, nga mas abu ku sa ha report ku 2000 nga may 28.4%. Ro pag gamit it botong/amakan/kugon ag pawod bilang dingding hay nagnaba halin sa 52.4% ku 2000 sa 42.6% sa 2010. Sa klase it atop, nag-improbar man ro materyales, sa pagdugang it naga gamit nga nag-abot sa 45.5% kumpara sa 29.3% ku 2000. Ro pila pa gid nga materyales nga ginagamit bilang atop hay kugon, nipa, ag anahaw nga nagnaba it haeos katunga nga may 49.6% kumpara ku 2000 nga may 64.5%. Suno sa NSO, ro 2010 Census of Population and Housing hay ginhiwat ku Mayo-Hunyo 2010 agud imbentaryuhon ro populasyon ag kabaeayan sa bilog nga nasyon ag mag kolektar it mga impormasyon sa sari-saring klase kara. (NSO/NSO/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

More Aklanons build houses

KALIBO, Aklan, August 23 (PIA6) -- More and more Aklanons are erecting houses of their own, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO) here. Based on results of the 2010 Census of Population and Housing, the NSO revealed that the province recorded a total or 115,086 occupied housing units, compared to the 2000 figure of 86,600, showing a 33% increase or 28,486. This figure translates to a ratio of 101 households for every 100 occupied housing units, with each unit approximately occupied by 4.6 persons. The most common type of housing in Aklan is the single type, as found out by NSO during the census, which reached 96% - lower than the 97.1 % recorded in 2000. Duplex-type of houses, on the other hand, increased by 1.7% from 0.4% in 2000, while multi-unit residential houses accounted for 0.8% andcommercial/industrial/agricultural building, 0.4%. As to materials, about 39.4% of occupied houses in 2010 had concrete/brick/stone for outer walls, which was higher than what was reported in 2000, which was 28.4%. The use of bamboo/sawali/cogon/nipa as outer walls, on the other hand, decreased from 52.4% in 2000 to 42.6% in 2010. An improvement as to roofing was also noted, with an increase in the use of galvanized iron/aluminum of 45.5 percent from 29.3% recorded in 2000. Other roof materials used were cogon/nipa/anahaw which dropped to almost one half – with 49.6%from 2000 record of 64.5%. NSO said the 2010 Census of Population and Housing was undertaken in May-June 2010 to take an inventory of the population and housing throughout the country and to collect information about their characteristics. (NSO/JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Monday, August 19, 2013

DOT ag DPWH, nagapatigayon it mga proyektong pangturismo

Ni Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Agosto 16 (PIA6) -- Ro Department of Tourism (DOT) ag ro Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) hay ililiba nga nagatrabaho makaron sa pag implementar it mga mga karsada nga makabulig sa pagpaumwad it turismo sa Aklan. Daywa (2) sa mga proyekto ngara nga gina-implementar makaron nga dag-on, suno kay DOT6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas hay rong Boracay Circumferential Road project nga nagabalor it P32 milyones ag rong Tangalan-Ibajay Road nga may P50 milyones nga budget. Ginsugid ni Catalbas rayang impormasyon sa bag-o eang ginhiwat nga Regional Consultative Conference on Development nga ginpatawag it Congressional District Office ni Rep. Teodorico Haresco, Jr. Una kara hay ginhambae ni Haresco nga ro aktibidad hay angot sa anang tuyo nga magdasig pa gid rong pag-umwad it Aklan. Ro pakipagtuwang it DOT sa DPWH, hambae ni Catalbas, nga ginatawag nga “convergence” hay sa tuyo nga ma-atenar ro target nga dumueuong nga turista sa isla it Boracay nga sang (1) milyon sa 2016. Sambilog (1) nga proyekto ngaha-implementar eon ku 2012 hay rong Asphalt Overlay and Slope Protection it karsada halin sa Caticlan paadto sa Kalibo sa balor nga P100 milyon. Para sa 2014, ro mga ginaproponer nga mga proyekto sa idaeum it andang pagtuwang hay ro Tagas-Dumatad-Jawili Farm to Market Road ag iba pa gid nga gina proponer nga mga aeagyan sa sueod it agri-tourism nga mga lugar sa Tangalan, pag kongreto it Jawili Coastal Road sa Jawili Falls ag Jawili Beach, pagkongkreto it Afga Access Road, pagkongreto it Baybay paadto sa Dapdap nga karsada ag access road, National Highway it Tagas paadto sa Jawili. Rayang mga proyekto hay magamit agud mapatag-od ro oras sa pagbyahe paadto sa Boracay, ag oportunidad man sa mga turista ag bisita nga makit-an pa ro ibang mga atraksyon it Aklan euwas sa Boracay, pareho ku Jawili Falls ag Jawili Beach sa Tangalan. Ginhambae ni Catalbas nga rayang mga proyekto angot sa turismo hay nagaserbe bilang ana ku gobyerno nga “Strategic Direction for Access and Connectivity” sa mga destinasyon pangturismo sa Aklan. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Aklanon News: Regional Consultative Conference ginhiwat sa Aklan

Ni Venus G. Villlanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Agosto 14 (PIA6) -- May 20 nga mga regional directors it sari-saring mga ahensya it gobyerno sa Rehiyon 6 ro nag-atender kurundaya eamang it kauna-unahan nga Regional Consultative Development Conference nga ginhiwat sa Aklan. Ro consultative conference nga ginhiwat sa CafĂ© Latte sa Kalibo, hay ginlunsar paagi sa inisyatibo ni Congressman Teodorico T. Haresco Jr. sa paghambae nga ro aktibidad hay may kaangtanan sa anang tuyo nga padasigon ro pagpaumwad sa Aklan. Suno kay Haresco, naga sentro imaw sa ap-at nga bagay para sa pag umwad it Aklan – ikamayad it eawas, imprastraktura, trabaho sa turismo, ag edukasyon. Antes sa ginhiwat nga konferensya, si Haresco, kaibahan ro bag-o man na-eleher nga si Governor Florencio T. Miraflores ag Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo, hay nag-atubang sa media sa sangka press conference ag nagsabat sa sari-saring mga pangutana sa iba-iba nga mga isyu. Samtang, ro mga nagpartisipar sa consultative conference hay sanday Regional Director Helen Catalbas it Department of Tourism, Regional Director Edilberto Tayao it Department of Public Works and Highways, Regional Director Larry Nacionales it Department of Agriculture, Regional Director Dominic Abad it Department of Trade and Industry, Regional Director Agrimero Cruz, Jr. it Philippine National Police ag Regional Director Evelyn Trompeta it Department of the Interior and Local Government. Ro iba pa gid nga mga regional directors ukon andang mga representante nga nagtambong hay halin sa DENR, DAR, BFAR, NIA,DOST,PNP,DOLE,DOH,TESDA,NEDA,DBM,OCD,DOF,DepEd,ag DSWD. Si DOT Regional Director Helen Catalbas nga imaw rong una nga nagpresentar it mga programa ag proyekto ku anang ahensya hay nagtalakay sa industriya it turismo sa Aklan pati eon rong mga gina proponer nga mga proyekto agud mapa abu pa gid ro mga naga-aeabot nga mga turista sa isla it Boracay ag himuon ro biyahe nga madali ag komportable. Ginsugid man ni Catalbas nga ku 2012, ro isla it Boracay hay may 1,206,252 nga mga turista nga nag-abot ag raya hay naka ganar it P22,175,013,017 nga tourist receipts. Ginpaabot man nana nga sa dag-on ngara, ro DOT ag ro DPWH hay may gina-implementar nga “tourism road projects”. Sa parte it DPWH, ginpaabot ni Regional Director Edilberto Tayao nga euwas sa ana ku ahensya nga regular nga mga proyekto, naga implementar man sanda it mga imprastraktura para sa turismo ag sa DepEd sa pag-ugdok it mga buildings ag mga “water sanitation facilities” nga may kabilugan nga balor nga P665 milyon sa dag-on ngara. Sa 2014, ro DPWH hay nag-alokar it P668.07 milyon para sa 8 nga mga maeagko nga mga proyekto sa Aklan. Nagpatigayon man it pag report ro iba pa gid nga mga regional directors. Euwas sa mga presentasyon, ro Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) paagi kay Chairman Rene Villa hay nagtao it P10 milyon nga tseke bilang pang-unang tao sa pag-asister sa proyekto sa tubi it banwang Tangalan, nga ginbaton ni Mayor Gene Fuentes, samtang ro Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, paagi sa president kara nga si Jovy Bernabe hay nagdawat it balor P14 milyon nga pundo para sa 4,189 nga mga benefisyaryo it crop insurance nga mga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries it Aklan. Rayang pundo hay ginbaton ni Governor Florencio T. Miraflores ag ni Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Eberardo Erispe it Department of Agrarian Reform. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

More tourism infra projects up in Aklan

KALIBO, Aklan, August 16 (PIA6) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are currently working together in the implementation of tourism road projects in Aklan to further boost the province’ tourism industry. Two of these projects being implemented this year, according to DOT6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas, are the Boracay Circumferential Road project with a budget of P32 million and the Tangalan-Ibajay Road with a P50 million budget. Catalbas shared this information to Aklan officials at the recent Aklan Regional Consultative Conference on Development held at CafĂ© Latte, Kalibo, requested by the Congressional District Office of Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco, Jr. Haresco said the activity was in line with his intention to spur continued development of Aklan. DOT’s partnership with DPWH, which Catalbas addressed as a convergence, aims to support the country’s target that by 2016, Boracay Island could have 1 million foreign tourists. One project that was already implemented in the province particularly in the western part of Aklan in support of this target is the Asphalt Overlay and Slope Protection of Caticlan to Kalibo Road with the project amount of P100 million. For 2014, proposed projects under the convergence include the Tagas-Dumatad-Jawili Farm to Market Road and other proposed access road within agri-tourism areas in Tangalan, Aklan, Concreting of Jawili Coastal Road within Jawili Falls and Jawili Beach, Concreting of Jawili Coastal Road, Concreting of Afga Access Road, Concreting of Jawili Beach Road, Concreting of Baybay to Dapdap Road, and Concreting of Access Road, National Highway Tagas to Jawili. These projects could also be used to shorten the trip from Kalibo to Caticlan, the jump-off point to Boracay Island, and at the same time offer a chance for tourists to see other attractions in the area, like the Jawili Beach and Jawili Falls in Tangalan, Aklan. Catalbas said these tourism road projects serve as the government’s Strategic Direction for Access and Connectivity to the province’ prime tourist destinations. (JCM/VGV PIA 6 Aklan)

Waste management company to help solve Kalibo's trash problem

KALIBO, Aklan, August 17 (PIA6) -- The Municipal Economic Enterprise Development Office (MEEDO) Board of the municipality of Kalibo recently met with a private company to talk about the garbage problem of the capital town. The private company – Waste and Resources Management Incorporated (WARM), according to LGU-Kalibo, has waste recycling, composting and other waste management technologies, that can help Kalibo rid of its garbage problem and at the same time generate earnings for the town and create jobs for Kalibonhons. WARM, according to Glenn Bernardo, Business Development Executive of Lina Group of Companies where it belongs, is able to convert waste into useful products which could be recycled. Bernardo said that Alberto Lina, the company owner, has an advocacy for Aklan to be a “green” province. In their initial talk, Bernardo said WARM offered to buy Kalibo’s garbage, and pay for the trucking, warehousing, salaries and wages, disposal and treatment and maintenance. Persons who will be employed by WARM will also come from Kalibo, who will be trained by the company. Collected garbage, on the other hand, will be sold to WARM’s partners, and the town of Kalibo will be paid monthly by the company based on garbage tonnage. For the venture, LGU-Kalibo officials said WARM needs some 500 square meters for housing of machineries and space for sorting, composting and other processes which could be from 2,000 – 3,000 square meters. The MEEDO Board will be meeting with them again on the last week of August to present their studies and proposals, LGU-Kalibo officials said. (LGU-Kalibo/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

Monday, August 12, 2013

Aklanon News: Aklan may nagakaigo nga bugas

KALIBO, Aklan, Agusto 8 (PIA6) -- Indi dapat maghadlok ro mga Akeanon nga maubusan it bugas ukon magutoman sa buean ngara it Agusto bangud ginapasalig it National Food Authority (NFA) nga may nagakaigo nga bugas sa probinsya makaron. Suno kay OIC Provincial Manager Martina Lodero it NFA-Aklan, ro nakatipon nga bugas sa bodega it gobyerno ag sa mga negosyante it bugas imaw man sa mga panimaeay hay magabuhya it 50 diyas, base sa andang pag imbentaryo. Ro nakatipon makaron nga bugas hay maigo sa kinahangeanon it mga pumueuyo sueod it haeos daywang (2) buean ag sa mga katapusan it Agusto ukon mag-abot ro katunga-tunga it Setyembre, maga umpisa eon it pag-ani it mga tinanum nga paeay. Sa makaron, sari-saring mga klase it bugas ag depende sa kalidad ro ginabaliigya sa mga tindahan nga naga presyo it P30.00 kada kilo ag pasaka, pero para sa mga Aklanon nga pigado ro kwarta, una ro NFA rice nga P27.00 eamang ro kada kilo. Ginpasalig ni Lodero nga ro bugas nga ginabaligya sa mga tindahan hay mayad-ayad ro kalidad ag masustansya pa bangud raya hay ginbutanan it “iron”. Ginhambae man ni Lodero nga ro NFA rice hay produkto mismo sa Aklan nga ginbakae it NFA sa mga mangunguma. Bisan ro supplemental feeding nga programa it gobyerno hay nagagamit it NFA rice. Sa maabot ngara nga tig-aeani, nag-apelar si Lodero sa mga mangunguma nga magbaligya sa NFA it anda nga patubas agud may tipunon eon man para sa mga maabot nga mga binuean. Ro pagtipon it paeay it NFA hay agud may paadtunan man ukon mapilian ro mga pigadong pumueuyo kon magmahae it mayad ro “commercial rice”. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

NFA assures enough rice for Aklanons this lean month

By: Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Aug. 8 (PIA6) -- Aklanons need not fear of running out of rice and going hungry this month of August, as the National Food Authority (NFA) here assures there is enough of this staple food in the province. According to NFA-Aklan OIC Provincial Manager Martina Lodero, Aklan’s rice stocks, found at the government warehouse and those of commercial wholesalers, retailers and millers and in households will last up to 50 days, based on the NFA’s inventory and monitoring. The current supply, Lodero said, will sustain Aklanon’s rice needs for almost two months and by end of August or mid-September, farmers will already be harvesting their current rice crops which will be the source of new buffer stock for the province. Aklan public markets are currently selling various varieties of commercial rice with varying prices ranging from P30.00 per kilo and up, but for Aklanons having tight budgets, Lodero said they can opt to buy NFA rice sold by accredited retailers at P27.00 only. Lodero assured that NFA rice sold by accredited retailers is of good quality, affordable and nutritious as well, because it is fortified with iron. “Our NFA rice came from palay stocks sold by Aklan farmers to us, so we are assured here in the province that we are consuming our own produce,” Lodero said. The government’s supplemental feeding program which benefits day care kids in the province also uses NFA rice, Lodero revealed. For the coming harvest season, Lodero appealed to Aklan farmers to sell their produce to the NFA to ensure that the province will have ample supply for the coming months. The NFA’s ample rice supply aims to create a balance and an option for those who cannot afford to buy commercial rice. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Gains from Aklan's tourism industry to support agri, health programs

By Venus G. Villanueva KALIBO, Aklan, Aug. 6 (PIA6) -- Earnings generated by Aklan’s booming tourism industry through jetty port collections and tourism receipts will have great implications on the province’ programs for agriculture and health, according to Aklan governor Florencio T. Miraflores. Delivering for the first time his “Governor’s Report to the People” aired over GMA-DYRU here August 3, Miraflores said collections generated by the province’s jetty ports – Caticlan in Malay and Cagban in Boracay Island, respectively, for arriving and departing tourists from January to July of this year which reached P209,807,373.00 can well support Aklan’s programs on agriculture and health. Governor Miraflores said the period’s collections this year is higher by 92% compared with last year’s collection for the same period which was P116,879,306.00. The increase in jetty port collections, according to Miraflores, is attributed to the increase in imposed terminal fees as well as on the continuous increase of tourist arrivals in the province particularly Boracay Island. Miraflores said Aklan has currently some 20,000 PhilHealth members whose premiums are paid by the Provincial Government and the preceding premiums, which will double in 2014 and is seen to reach P48 million. “We plan to have more PhilHealth beneficiaries because many still need to be included in the program”, Miraflores said in his report. He also said tourism gains could also aid the province’s agricultural programs through the increase of farmers’s subsidy in the purchase of hybrid and certified rice seeds and farm mechanization. Expressing optimism in the attainment of 1.5 million tourists this year, the governor said his leadership will continue the reclamation project started in Caticlan to answer the need for additional facilities for tourists. He also expressed the hope that with the assistance to be rendered to the province’s agriculture sector as an offshoot of the increased earnings through tourism, the needs of the tourists in the island could also be taken care of. “It must be Aklan which should produce the tourists’ needs,” he said. (JSC/VGV-PIA6 Aklan)