PGMA to visit Aklan tomorrow

Kalibo, Aklan -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be gracing Aklan tomorrow, December 7, with her 4^th visit for the year to inaugurate the country's first Biomass power plant and to launch the RORO route from Dumaguit, New Washington, Aklan to Batangas via Odiongan, Romblon.

The Biomass Power Plant is owned by ASEA One Power Corporation (AOPC), which will have its plant at Agbanawan, Banga, Aklan.

Visioning to be a leader in the Philippines' biomass energy, demonstrate profitable business model and generate social and environmental benefits, the 12 MW Biomass Power Plant is expected to be operational in January 2011.

The power plant, according to Jedi Jim Carcallas, ASEA One Power development communications officer, will utilize local agricultural residues such as rice stalks/hulls, rice straws, sugarcane waste, bagasse, coconut shells and coconut husks.

The putting up of the power plant in Agbanawan, Banga is seen to provide green collar employment to the people in the community which is lay-off proof and will benefit the province' 70,000 farmers and mill workers. It would also provide extra income to Aklanons as the plant will be buying agricultural waste and forest residues from them amounting to almost P100,000 annually.

Feedstocks suppliers will also be beneficiaries of a profit-sharing program, while farmers will be given the bottom ash as soil conditioners in their farmlands.

Once operational, the power plant will help solve the critical shortfall of power supply in Western Visayas, according to AOPC.

Paul Rodriguez, AOPC President, will brief PGMA on the Biomass Project.

After the groundbreaking ceremonies highlighted by President Arroyo's lowering of the time capsule, the group will proceed to Dumaguit, New Washington to launch the RORO route from Dumaguit to Batangas via Odiongan, Romblon.

The route will be plied by the Super Shuttle Ferry, a vessel that could accommodate 354 passengers and big vehicles, according to Lowell M. Elim, Business Development Officer of Super Shuttle Ferry Corporation. It will have three trips from Dumaguit weekly – Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday every 12 noon, while its trip schedule from Batangas is on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The route will provide a cheap passage from Dumaguit to Batangas for Aklanons, costing them P600 if they are going to Batangas, and P450.00 if they are only up to Odiongan, Romblon.

President Arroyo's visit to Aklan December 7 is the third leg of her visit to Panay Island, visiting first the Province of Iloilo, then Capiz, and finally, Aklan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Country’s first biomass power plant to bring socio-economic benefits to Aklanons

Kalibo, Aklan -- The country's first biomass power plant which will be put up at Agbanawan, Banga, Aklan will be bringing many socio-economic benefits to the Aklanon community.

To be inaugurated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo December 7, the power plant, owned by by ASEA One Power Corporation (AOPC), is expected to be operationalized in January 2011, and is a waste to energy initiative offering power that is clean, green, dependable affordable and renewable.

With an investment of P1,440,000,000.00, the project will bring about P810,000 benefit to the host community annually, according to the AOPC. It will generate jobs, through green collar employment, which will be lay-off-proof, benefiting 70,000 farmers and mill workers.

It will increase farmers' income, as their agricultural waste and other forest residues which will be utilized as feedstock of the power plant will be bought from them.

Feedstocks suppliers, according to the AOPC, will also benefit from a profit-sharing program.

The project will also help eradicate poverty – one of the main goals of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration – by generating jobs, increasing incomes and , offering employment which exercises gender equality.

It has adaptation and mitigation on Climate Change and Global Warming – alleviating onslaught of supertyphoons, floods and droughts; reduce green house gas emissions factor equivalent to 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year or 1,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide for the next 25 years.

It will create an energy-secured environment too, while utilizing Aklan's indigenous indigenous residues which are either burned or left idle in the fields emitting the more potent gases.

With the economic activity in the area, there will also be an increase in the quality of livelihood, enhancement of disposable income, higher purchasing power , opportunities to attain higher level of education resulting to comfort and convenience in life of the constituents in the franchise areas of the Aklan Electric Cooperative, the possible power distributor of the AOPC to the consuming public in the immediate area.

As fiscal incentive, it will have 12% VAT exempt status on power generation being renewable energy, resulting to lower cost of power.

The AOPC business plan has been recognized and awarded as one of the most promising clean energy investment opportunities in the ASEAN region during the Business Plan Competition at the Asia Forum for Clean Energy Financing on March 4, 2009 in Singapore, organized by the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI) and the USAID. (PIA/Venus G./ Villanueva)

MGA LGUs KAG OFWs, PAGAPASIDUNGGAN NI PGMA

Pagapangunahan ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang pagrekognisar sa 14 nga mga Local Government Units (LGUs) kag dalayawon nga mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sa simple nga seremonya sa Rizal Hall sang Malacañang.

Igahatag ni Presidente Arroyo ang 2009 Galing Pook nga mga plaque sa 14 ka mga LGUs nga may pinasahi nga programa sa local nga panimanwa.

Lima ka mga pagapasidunggan ang naghalin sa Mindanao, duha sa Visayas samtang pito naman ang gikan sa Luzon.

Ang mga nanari-sari nga mga programa nga napilian nga tagdaog ang natuhoy sa kalinong kag pagresolbar sang mga nanarisari nga mga conflicto tubtub sa pag-amlig sa palibot , ikaayong lawas kag serbisyo sosyal.

Kada programa sang local government unit halin sa barangay kag munisipyo, siyudad kag probinsya ang gin-ebalwar para sa mga inobasyon, positibo nga resulta, transferability kag padayon nga pag-implementar sini, partisipasyon sang mga pumuluyo kag kaabtik sini.

Ang 2009 Galing Pook Awardees amo ang Saranggani Province; Midsayap, Cotabato; Tabuk, Kalinga; Barangay Luz, Cebu City; Marikina City; Taguig City; Quezon City; Bayawan City; Surallah, South Cotabato; Makati City; Malaybalay City; Barangay Barobo, Valencia City; Bulacan Province; kag Parañaque City.

Pagapasidunggan man sang Presidente ang 16 ka mga dalayawon kag pinasahi nga mga OFWs sang Bagong Bayani Awards (BBA).

Tuyo sang BBA nga rekognisahon kag magpasidungog sa mga OFWs sa ila pagtinguha nga maka-establisar sang maayo nga imahe sa mga nakasari-sari nga mga pumuluyo sang kalibutan, kag pagpakita nga ang mga Pilipino makasarang, responsible kag but-anan nga empleyado; kag sa pagbulig man sa socio-economic development sang ila komunidad kag sang nasyon sa kabilugan.

May apat ka kategorya ang award, isa ka inobasyon nga ginpakita sa 2005 Bagong Bayani Awards agud makit-an ang nagalain-lain nga kontribusyon sang mga OFWs suno sa ila mga aktibidades.

Ang pinakamataas nga dungog amo ang Blas F. Ople Award para sa Natatanging Bagong Bayani, nga ginahatag sa pinasahi kag tumalagsahon nga OFW.

Ang tatlo pa gid ka kategorya amo ang Bagong Bayani Award for Outstanding Employee, Bagong Bayani Award for Community and Social Service kag Bagong Bayani Award for Culture and Arts. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Dugang nga $10 M balor sang pagkaon sa mga ginbaha, gin-paabot ni Ambassador Kenney

Ginpahibalo ni U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenny nga may kadugangan nga $10 milyon nga 'food aid' bilang kabahin sang disaster relief kag recovery assistance sang gobyerno sang U.S para sa Pilipinas, nga nagdala sa kabilugan nga bulig nga $30 milyon. Sa iya ginpaabot nga mensahe sa World Food Program (WFP) sa Baguio City, ginsugid niya nga ang kadugangan nga bulig magasabat sa padayon nga pagkinahanglan sang mga Pilipino, dala na ang kinahanglanon sang mga komunidad.

Pagkatapos dalasa sang mga Bagyo nga Ondoy kag Pepeng sa Pilipinas, naghatag ang United States sang sobra sa $14 milyon nga bulig paagi sa rescue kag relief aid agud buligan ang 10 milyon nga biktima sang bagyo. Sang Nobyembre 12, si U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ang nag-anunsyo sang kadugangan nga $5.2 milyon nga disaster relief kag recovery assistance sa pagbisita niya sa Pilipinas. Ang dugang nga bulig nga ginpaguwa sang Secretary magasabat sa mga kinahanglanon sa edukasyon, tubig, sanitasyon, ikaayong lawas, kag pagpangaman sa kalamidad.

Ang WFP logistics hub kabahin sang pagtinguha sang gobyerno sang U.S. nga solbahon ang problema sa alagyan sa na-norte nga bahin sang Luzon. Madamo nga mga barangay ang indi pa malab-ot bangud sa mga naguba nga tulay kag grabe nga landslides. Nagbaton ang WFP sang $1 million agud maghatag sang logistics support sa pagpanagtag sang relief goods kag mga kinahanglanon nga supplies. Paagi sa bulig, ang Pilipinas, kag mga humanitarian agencies ang nakabulig sa subong sa 2 milyon nga mga pumuluyo.

Magabisita man si Ambassador Kenney sa Barangay Little Kibungan sa La Trinidad nga banwa sang Benguet Province, isa sa mga pinakagrabe nga gin-igo sa Cordillera Administrative Region bangud sa landslide nga nagpatay sang 77 nga mga pumuluyo sang Oktubre 8. Magapakigsakup man si Ambassador Kenney sa pagpanagtag sang relief items nga may logistical support sang gobyerno sang U.S. sa 142 nga mga residente sang Little Kibungan nga nadulaan sang puluy-an. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

MGA EMPLEYADO SANG GOBYERNO, DAPAT MAGPROTEKTAR SA PALIBOT, SUNO KAY REMONDE

Ginpasalamatan ni Press Secretary Cerge Remonde ang mga empleyado sang gobyerno sa paghimo sang ila bahin sa pagprotektar sang palibot.

Suno kay Remonde, nagapangatubang subong ang mga pumuluyo sang isa pa gid ka paghangkat - ang pagpahagan-hagan sang mga malain nga epekto sang Climate Change nga nakabutang sa theme celebration nga "Paglingap Sa Kalikasan, Tungkulin ng Bawat Kawani ng Pamahalaan.

Ginpaabot sang Cabinet Secretary ang iya mensahe sa ginhiwat nga selebrasyon sang Government Employees' Week sa Malacañang.

Ang Pilipinas, suno kay Remonde, indi kabangdanan kundi biktima sang Climate Change. Gindugang pa gid niya nga ang mga industrialisado nga mga nasyon ang responsable sini apang indi man dapat magpabaya lang ang Pilipinas.

"We need to do our part to help cleanse the environment," siling ni Remonde. "And we must act fast."

Suno sa iya, maswerte ang nasyon kay Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo bilang pinuno, nga determinado nga maghulag para sa mas berde nga planeta.

Ginsugid ni Remonde nga isa pa gid sa mga inisyatibo sang Presidente amo ang pagpirma sang Climate Change Act of 2009, nga nagatalana sang pang-abang sang gobyerno kag pag-adaptar sang mga tikang batok sa mga indi malikawan nga mga epekto sang Climate Change.

Dugang pa gid ni Remonde, ang laye naga establisar sang "national framework strategy kag programa sa climate change, isa ka direkta nga sabat sa nagaguwa nga mga global concerns agud masiguro ang mga pang-abang nga tikang kag adaptasyon – duha ka mga instrumento nga kinahanglan sa pag-away sa Climate Change.

Nagakahulugan lamang ini, siling ni Remonde, nga tanan sa gobyerno halin sa nasyonal pakadto sa lokal nga level ang may importante nga papel o bahin nga pagahimuon. (PIA/vgv)

Zest Air to have inaugural flight from Korea to Kalibo Airport

Kalibo, Aklan -- An inaugural direct flight from Incheon, South Korea to Kalibo International Airport (KIA) will materialize December 4 through Zest Air.

According to the Aklan Provincial Tourism Office, the inaugural flight will be landing at KIA carrying a total of 170 passengers including media personalities of Korean publication companies and tourism industry, crew and Zest Air executives.

After the inaugural flight, there will be 2 regular flights every week by Zest Air Mondays and Fridays.

Starting December 20, however, this will become four (4) regular flights a week up to February 7, 2010.

This event is expected to be featured at local Korean publications and news magazines in Korea.

With this latest development, Department of Tourism (DOT) 6 Regional Director Edwin G. Trompeta said that Kalibo's local tourism industry and that of Aklan will greatly benefit from this opportunity, which is seen to contribute a lot to the tourism mileage of the local tourism industry. (PTO/PIA/vgv)

Aklan governor, 3 others to be honored at WV Tourism Assembly in Capiz

Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, along with three other major awardees from Aklan will be honored as the region celebrates this year's Western Visayas Tourism Assembly 2009 in Capiz December 4-6, according to the Provincial Tourism Office here.

As the leading awardee from Aklan of the Western Visayas Tourism Excellence Awards 2009, Governor Marquez will be conferred the Regional Director's Award. Manager Jose Parreño, Jr. of Discovery Shores Boracay, will also receive the Regional Director's Award while Ms. Roselle Q. Ruiz of Aklan Provincial Tourism Office will receive the Special Award, Tourism Officer (Provincial Level). The Discovery Shores Boracay on the other hand, will be awarded for being theBest Resort (Class AAA) in the Awards Night to be held at Nestas, Roxas City.

    Other activities to be held during the 3-day event are the Regional Tourism Exhibit/Fair; Regional Tourism Congress, the Search for Miss Western Visayas Tourism 2009, Travel Invitational and Food Festival. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan to participate in the WV Tourism Assembly 2009

Kalibo, Aklan -- The Provincial Government of Aklan through the Aklan Provincial Tourism Office will be participating in the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly 2009 on December 4-6 in Roxas City. Capiz.

This big event will be joined by all provinces of Western Visayas – Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental and Aklan.

This will be sponsored by the Department of Tourism, Capiz Provincial Government, and City Government of Roxas.

The event will officially open on December 4 in Roxas City through a grand Parade of Festivals, followed by a Festival Showdown at 3:00 in the afternoon at Villareal Stadium. Aklan will be represented in this showdown by the Ati warriors of Kalibo Ati-atihan and Ibajay Ati-Ati. The opening ceremonies will be held at the Capiz Gym.

On the second day, the province of Aklan will present at the Capiz Gym a one-hour cultural show featuring the Re-enactment of the Barter of Panay, to be participated in by the Northwestern Visayan Colleges Performing Arts Guild and Arts Council of Aklan Foundation, Inc.

The province of Aklan has already played host to the WV Tourism Assembly. The hosting of this event is rotated yearly among the provinces in Western Visayas. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

MGA LGUs KAG OFWs, PAGAPASIDUNGGAN NI PGMA

Pagapangunahan ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang pagrekognisar sa 14 nga mga Local Government Units (LGUs) kag dalayawon nga mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sa simple nga seremonya sa Rizal Hall sang Malacañang.

Igahatag ni Presidente Arroyo ang 2009 Galing Pook nga mga plaque sa 14 ka mga LGUs nga may pinasahi nga programa sa local nga panimanwa.

Lima ka mga pagapasidunggan ang naghalin sa Mindanao, duha sa Visayas samtang pito naman ang gikan sa Luzon.

Ang mga nanari-sari nga mga programa nga napilian nga tagdaog ang natuhoy sa kalinong kag pagresolbar sang mga nanarisari nga mga conflicto tubtub sa pag-amlig sa palibot , ikaayong lawas kag serbisyo sosyal.

Kada programa sang local government unit halin sa barangay kag munisipyo, siyudad kag probinsya ang gin-ebalwar para sa mga inobasyon, positibo nga resulta, transferability kag padayon nga pag-implementar sini, partisipasyon sang mga pumuluyo kag kaabtik sini.

Ang 2009 Galing Pook Awardees amo ang Saranggani Province; Midsayap, Cotabato; Tabuk, Kalinga; Barangay Luz, Cebu City; Marikina City; Taguig City; Quezon City; Bayawan City; Surallah, South Cotabato; Makati City; Malaybalay City; Barangay Barobo, Valencia City; Bulacan Province; kag Parañaque City.

Pagapasidunggan man sang Presidente ang 16 ka mga dalayawon kag pinasahi nga mga OFWs sang Bagong Bayani Awards (BBA).

Tuyo sang BBA nga rekognisahon kag magpasidungog sa mga OFWs sa ila pagtinguha nga maka-establisar sang maayo nga imahe sa mga nakasari-sari nga mga pumuluyo sang kalibutan, kag pagpakita nga ang mga Pilipino makasarang, responsible kag but-anan nga empleyado; kag sa pagbulig man sa socio-economic development sang ila komunidad kag sang nasyon sa kabilugan.

May apat ka kategorya ang award, isa ka inobasyon nga ginpakita sa 2005 Bagong Bayani Awards agud makit-an ang nagalain-lain nga kontribusyon sang mga OFWs suno sa ila mga aktibidades.

Ang pinakamataas nga dungog amo ang Blas F. Ople Award para sa Natatanging Bagong Bayani, nga ginahatag sa pinasahi kag tumalagsahon nga OFW.

Ang tatlo pa gid ka kategorya amo ang Bagong Bayani Award for Outstanding Employee, Bagong Bayani Award for Community and Social Service kag Bagong Bayani Award for Culture and Arts. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Dugang nga $10 M balor sang pagkaon sa mga ginbaha, gin-paabot ni Ambassador Kenney

Ginpahibalo ni U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenny nga may kadugangan nga $10 milyon nga 'food aid' bilang kabahin sang disaster relief kag recovery assistance sang gobyerno sang U.S para sa Pilipinas, nga nagdala sa kabilugan nga bulig nga $30 milyon. Sa iya ginpaabot nga mensahe sa World Food Program (WFP) sa Baguio City, ginsugid niya nga ang kadugangan nga bulig magasabat sa padayon nga pagkinahanglan sang mga Pilipino, dala na ang kinahanglanon sang mga komunidad.

Pagkatapos dalasa sang mga Bagyo nga Ondoy kag Pepeng sa Pilipinas, naghatag ang United States sang sobra sa $14 milyon nga bulig paagi sa rescue kag relief aid agud buligan ang 10 milyon nga biktima sang bagyo. Sang Nobyembre 12, si U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ang nag-anunsyo sang kadugangan nga $5.2 milyon nga disaster relief kag recovery assistance sa pagbisita niya sa Pilipinas. Ang dugang nga bulig nga ginpaguwa sang Secretary magasabat sa mga kinahanglanon sa edukasyon, tubig, sanitasyon, ikaayong lawas, kag pagpangaman sa kalamidad.

Ang WFP logistics hub kabahin sang pagtinguha sang gobyerno sang U.S. nga solbahon ang problema sa alagyan sa na-norte nga bahin sang Luzon. Madamo nga mga barangay ang indi pa malab-ot bangud sa mga naguba nga tulay kag grabe nga landslides. Nagbaton ang WFP sang $1 million agud maghatag sang logistics support sa pagpanagtag sang relief goods kag mga kinahanglanon nga supplies. Paagi sa bulig, ang Pilipinas, kag mga humanitarian agencies ang nakabulig sa subong sa 2 milyon nga mga pumuluyo.

Magabisita man si Ambassador Kenney sa Barangay Little Kibungan sa La Trinidad nga banwa sang Benguet Province, isa sa mga pinakagrabe nga gin-igo sa Cordillera Administrative Region bangud sa landslide nga nagpatay sang 77 nga mga pumuluyo sang Oktubre 8. Magapakigsakup man si Ambassador Kenney sa pagpanagtag sang relief items nga may logistical support sang gobyerno sang U.S. sa 142 nga mga residente sang Little Kibungan nga nadulaan sang puluy-an. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

MGA EMPLEYADO SANG GOBYERNO, DAPAT MAGPROTEKTAR SA PALIBOT, SUNO KAY REMONDE

    Ginpasalamatan ni Press Secretary Cerge Remonde ang mga empleyado sang gobyerno sa paghimo sang ila bahin sa pagprotektar sang palibot.

    Suno kay Remonde, nagapangatubang subong ang mga pumuluyo sang isa pa gid ka paghangkat - ang pagpahagan-hagan sang mga malain nga epekto sang Climate Change nga nakabutang sa theme celebration nga "Paglingap Sa Kalikasan, Tungkulin ng Bawat Kawani ng Pamahalaan.

    Ginpaabot sang Cabinet Secretary ang iya mensahe sa ginhiwat nga selebrasyon sang Government Employees' Week sa Malacañang.

    Ang Pilipinas, suno kay Remonde, indi kabangdanan kundi biktima sang Climate Change. Gindugang pa gid niya nga ang mga industrialisado nga mga nasyon ang responsable sini apang indi man dapat magpabaya lang ang Pilipinas.

    "We need to do our part to help cleanse the environment," siling ni Remonde. "And we must act fast."

    Suno sa iya, maswerte ang nasyon kay Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo bilang pinuno, nga determinado nga maghulag para sa mas berde nga planeta.

    Ginsugid ni Remonde nga isa pa gid sa mga inisyatibo sang Presidente amo ang pagpirma sang Climate Change Act of 2009, nga nagatalana sang pang-abang sang gobyerno kag pag-adaptar sang mga tikang batok sa mga indi malikawan nga mga epekto sang Climate Change.

    Dugang pa gid ni Remonde, ang laye naga establisar sang "national framework strategy kag programa sa climate change, isa ka direkta nga sabat sa nagaguwa nga mga global concerns agud masiguro ang mga pang-abang nga tikang kag adaptasyon – duha ka mga instrumento nga kinahanglan sa pag-away sa Climate Change.

    Nagakahulugan lamang ini, siling ni Remonde, nga tanan sa gobyerno halin sa nasyonal pakadto sa lokal nga level ang may importante nga papel o bahin nga pagahimuon. (PIA/vgv

PGMA, MAGAHIWAT SANG COMMAND CONFERENCE SA MAGUINDANAO

    Magahiwat sang command conference si Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sa Maguindanao sa semana nga ini, suno kay Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

    Ginsugid niya sa mga reporters sa isa ka interview pagkatapos nga mag file sang kandidatura bilang congresswoman sa segundo distrito sang Pampanga nga magabisita man si Presidente Arroyo sa mga namatayan particular ang mga taga media nga napatay sa Ampatuan, Maguindanao massascre.

    Suno kay Remonde, magahiwat sang command conference si PGMA sa semana nga ini sa pagpatumbalik sang katawhayan sa probinsya pagkatapos sang pinakagrabe nga election-related carnage kon diin 57 ka mga tawo ang napatay pati na ang 30 halin sa media.

    Sang nagligad nga semana, nagdeklarar si Presidente Arroyo sang state of emergency sa Maguindanao kag Sultan Kudarat, pati na sa Cotabato City pagkatapos sang makangingidlis nga massacre.

    Gin authorize man niya si DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno nga himuon ang iya sini mga rekomendasyonnga suspendihon ang tanan nga mga local nga opisyal sang Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao kag Maguindanao. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Temprano nga pagtapos sang proyekto sa irigasyon, ginmando ni PGMA

    Ginmanduan ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang Department of Agriculture nga padasigon ang pagkumpleto sang proyekto sa irigasyon sa mga kaumhan sa pagpreparar para sa El Niño sa madason nga tuig.

    Gin isyu sang Presidente ang mando sa ginhiwat nga Joint National Economic Development Authority kag National Anti-Poverty Commission Cabinet meeting nga ginhiwat sa Aguinaldo State Dining Room sang Malacanang sining karon lang.

    Si NEDA Deputy-Director General Margarita Songco, sang mas temprano, ang nag report nga base sa mga pag-istudyo sang siyensya, may mahaba nga tag-ilinit nga maga igo sa nasyon sa madason nga tuig. Suno sa iya, ang mga informasyon nga natipon sang nagligad nga mga binulan nagpakita nga ang weather phenomenon nga dala sang sobra ka taas nga temperatura nga may diutay nga ulan ang nagsugod na mag-apektar sa pila ka bahin sang pungsod.

    Ang Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) nakanotar nga sa Southern Leyte, Agusan del Norte, kag Surigao del Norte, Bohol, Capiz kag Misamis Oriental gina eksperyensya ang diutay nga rainfall levels. (PIA/VGVillanueva)

PEÑAFLORIDA, GAWARAN NI PGMA SANG ORDER OF LAKANDULA

    Pagagawaran ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sang Order of Lakandula si Efren Peñaflorida nga nakilala sa iya "pushcart education" sa iya pagbalik sa nasyon pagkatapos nga nangin Hero of the Year sang international news network nga CNN.

    Isa ka pinakamataas nga dungog sang gobyerno sang Pilipinas ang Order of Lakadula. Ginahatag ini sa isa ka persona nga nagpakita sang leadership, prudence, fortitude, courage kag resolve sa iya pagserbisyo sa mga pumuluyo.

    Suno sa Presidente, ginpamatud-an ni Efren nga makabulig ang bisan sin-o nga makahimo sang pag-bag-o sa kalibutan. "He has also shown the world the best in the Filipino. Let each one of us unleash the hero within us by helping the next person as Efren said," suno sa Presidente.

    Sa isa ka press briefing, ginsiling ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo nga nagapreparar ang gobyerno sa paghatag sang 'hero's welcome' para kay Peñaflorida.

    Ginsiling ni Fajardo nga importante nga partner sang Arroyo administration si Peñaflorida sa edukasyon ilabi na gid sa mga nagapangalisod sa kabuhi.

    Nagdaog si Peñaflorida sa siyam nga iban pa nga "CNN Heroes" kon diin pito sini ang Amerikano, para sa iya tumalagsahon nga mobile education nga ginatawag nga "Kariton Klassrum" ukon "Pushcart Classroom" para sa mga imol.

    Nagahiwat si Peñaflorida sang pagbisita sa mga imol kag kulang sa serbisyo nga mga lugar kada semana sa Cavite, norte sang Luzon, agud tudluan ang mga kabataan sang leksyon sa Mathematics, English, kag Science nga nagagamit lamang sang pushcart.

    Napilian siya nga magbaton sang award sa CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute sa Kodak Theater sa Hollywood. Ginbaton niya ang award halin kay Eva Mendes, isa ka American actress.

    Una nga ginpili ang mga nominees sang isa ka panel sang 14 "Blue Panel" luminaries. Ang Hero of the Year Award ginahatag sa nominee nga may pinakamadamo nga numero sang online votes sa CNN Heroes' website.

    Nagbaton si Peñaflorida sang $100,000, isa ka balor nga pagagamiton niya nga pundo sa iya trabaho sa Dynamic Teen Company (DTC) isa ka volunteer organization nga gintukod niya sa paghiwat sang iya "Kariton Klassrum" program. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Philhealth, ginmanduan ni PGMA nga padakuon ang program para sa mga nagapangalisod

    Gindayaw ni Presidente Arroyo ang Philhealth nga karon may ara na nga 80 milyo nga katapu, luwas pa sa iban sini nga nahimo.

    Sa iya pagbisita sa Rizal Medical Center sa Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City hapon sang Nob. 23, ginmanduan ni Presidente Arroyo si Dr. Rey Aquino, presidente sang Philhealth, nga padayunon ang pagpadaku sang programa ilabi na gid para sa mga nakapangalisod nga mga Pilipino agud matuman ang ginahandum sang iya administrasyon nga universal coverage sa madason nga tuig.

    Si Lilia Tunac, 53 anyos kag isa sa mga benefisyaryo sang Philhealth kag isa sa mga pasyente sa balay bululngan ang nagpasalamat kay PGMA sa Phihealth medical insurance program.

    Ginsugiran ni Presidente Arroyo si Tunac kag ang iban nga mga pasyente nga pagasabton sang gobyerno ang ila isa ka gatos nga bulanan nga premium payments sa isa ka tuig. Ginhambalan man sila sang Presidente nga sila na ang dapat magbayad sang ila mga premium sa madason nga mga tuig agud ma-insure man sa idalum sang programa ang iban pa gid nga mga Pilipino nga nagakinahanglan.

     Si Tunac, upod ang walo pa ka pasyente sa non-infectious ward sa Room 2 ang insured sa idalum sang Philhealth program. Gindirektahan man sang Presidente si Aquino nga ibutang man sa idalum sang Philhealth nga programa ang apat pa nga ara sa ward nga wala masakpan.

    Ginpasalig naman ni Aquino nga ika implementar ini. Ginpahibalo man niya nga nag-abot sa P20 bilyon ang kita sang Philhealth sa una nga tatlo ka quarter sang tuig, mas mataas sang P3 bilyon sang nagligad nga tuig.

    Magluwas sa pagsakup sang mas madamo nga miyembro, ang extension work sang Philhealth kon diin nagserbe ang mga mobile officers sini sang nagkalain-lain nga kinahanglanon sang mga katapu nga OFWs sa HongKong, ang himuon man sa iban pa nga mga nasyon nga madamo nga OFWs pareho sang Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, kag Saudi Arabia..

    Luwas sa pag-improbar sang mga benefisyo, ang Philhealth nagahatag man karon sang insurance coverage sa 80 milyones nga mga Pilipino halin sa 37.4 milyon nga mga miyembro sang 2001. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Registered Aklanon voters now 296,081

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan's registered voters as of November 10, 2009 is listed at 296,081, based on the Consolidated Quarterly Progress Report of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here.

    Two months ago, the province had 284,349 voters. The figure released this period showed an increase of 11,732.

    Registration of voters for the May 2010 automated elections was held up to Oct. 31 of this year, the deadline set by COMELEC.

    The consolidated report showed that Kalibo, Aklan's capital town, is still the vote-richest municipality of the province, this time with 43,020, followed by Ibajay, with 24,063 and New Washington, with 22,775. In the Sept. 2009 record of COMELEC Aklan, these towns had 41,400, 22,990 and 21,218 registered voters respectively.

    Other towns and their respective number of voters are Altavas, 13,800; Balete, 16,723; Banga, 21,380; Batan, 17,820; Buruanga, 10,522; Lezo, 7,877; Libacao, 14,765; Madalag, 11,075; Makato, 15,266; Malay, 19,806; Malinao, 13,424; Nabas, 15,177; Numancia, 17,425 and Tangalan, 11,163.

    As of October 19, 2009 ERB Hearing, COMELEC-Aklan records show that there are 10,247 new registration, 2,859 transferees from another city/municipality; 3 reactivation with transfer and 632 reactivation.

    Applications approved by the ERB reached 13,741 with Kalibo having the highest number with 1,710 followed by New Washington with 1,692; Banga, 1,272, Batan, 1,210; and Ibajay, 1,151. The rest of Aklan towns had figures below 1,000.

    The COMELEC records also showed that as of the period, Aklan has a total of 768 deactivated voters, 394 registration records cancelled because of death, 798 registration records transferred to another city or municipality.

    For the May 2010 first-ever automated elections in the country, Aklan has 2,054 established precincts and 667 clustered precincts in its 327 barangays. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Beneficiaries of Aklan’s OFWs to learn “fitter” ways to spend remittances

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Beneficiaries of Aklan's thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) will be taught here Nov. 20 on how to spend or use wisely the hard-earned money sent by their loved ones working abroad through a Financial Learning Campaign.

    The Financial Learning Campaign will be spearheaded by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) with the support of other key government agencies like the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

    The activity, which will be held at the ACP Centerpoint in Kalibo, expects more than a hundred participants who are either wives, parents, brothers, sisters and other relatives of OFWs.

    According to Leonora Templonuevo, Deputy Director of BSP-Kalibo Branch, some of the topics to be taken up include Importance of Remittances, Significance of Financial Planning, Different Types of Investment Instruments, Remittances and Investment Protection Tips, which will be taken up by Elizabeth D. Alarilla, Bank Officer III of the Department of Economic Statistics, BSP; Investment/Business Options for Micro-Enterprises, Registration Requirements for Micro-Enterprises, which will be discussed by DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr; and Agri-Business Opportunities for Micro-Enterprises, by Ryan Sastre, Agricultural Technologist of DA-Aklan.

    Participants will also get to hear a testimony of a successful OFW Microentrepreneur, which will be delivered by Elbert I. Sayco, owner of a family-owned grocery store.

    A video presentation entitled "Paghahanda Para Sa Kinabukasan" will also be shown to participants. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

DOST has projects to prevent environment degradation

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is currently implementing programs to help prevent further environment degradation that focus more on preemptive measures.

    Two of these programs, according to Jairus Lachica of DOST-Aklan, include the Cleaner Production Technology and the Energy Audit.

    Lachica said the Cleaner Production Technology involves the sending by the DOST of consultants to production plants to advise the owners on the correct process of disposing or minimizing their waste materials, while in the Energy Audit, consultants are sent to plants to assist or check equipment which could already be dilapidated or old, that could emit more harmful gases to the atmosphere.

    "It has been always the practice of manufacturers to install anti-pollution devices after producing lots of waste materials. With the program on Cleaner Production Technology, mitigation or preventive measures are already being done to minimize the effect of waste materials to the environment", Lachica said.

    In the Energy Audit, consultants could recommend or advise manufacturing plant owners to repair or buy new equipment if the ones they are using are already old or worn.

    "Old equipment tend to work harder, generating more heat and energy to do the required job, which in turn could emit more harmful gas which could degrade our environment further", Lachica added.

    Lachica said these new programs of the DOST are implemented to be in step with the government's program to protect the environment in the wake of the problem on Global Warming and Climate Change.

    "Climate Change affects everyone in every part of the globe," Lachica said. He acknowledged that the industries and the people being assisted by the DOST will be greatly affected by Climate Change, as raw materials and other resources being used by these groups will also dwindle or be gone due to the destructive effects of this phenomenon.

    Jost recently, Executive Secretary Eduardo C. Ermita, by authority of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, released Memorandum Circular No. 186 enjoining officials and employees in all departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including GOCCs to actively participate in the observance of "Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week which will be observed on November 19-25, 2009.

    The circular was pursuant to PN 1667 dated Nov. 18, 2008 which declared the period Nov. 19-25, 2008 and every year thereafter as the "Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week."

    The Proclamation aims to create awareness on global warming and climate change by pursuing broad and intensive information and education campaigns to inform the general public on the terrifying consequences of the phenomenon and to secure the collective cooperation of the citizens as well as the collective action of private and public sectors at all levels in finding solutions to the problem. (PIA/Venus g. Villanueva)

WALA SANG LUWAS NGA PALUPOK, SUNO SA DOH

    Hugot nga ginpadumdum sang Department of Health ang mga ginikanan nga indi pagtugutan ang ila mga kabataan nga maghampang sang palupok ukon fireworks, legal man ukon illegal.

    Ginsiling ni Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III nga indi hampanganan ang mga palupok kag delikado gid sa kamot sang mga inosente nga kabataan. Suno sa iya, gina rekomenda nila nga ibawal ang mga ini sa mga residential areas kag hambalan man ang mga otoridad nga magtalana sang mga lugar nga pagasindihan sang mga fireworks kag pagabutangan, kag dapat mga propesyonal lamang ang magakaput ukon yadto nga nga nahanas sa paggamit sang mga 'explosive devices.'

    Suno sa mga taga DOH, ang lima nga nagapanguna nga palupok nga nagtuga sang madamo nga kasamaran sang 2008 amo ang piccolo, kwitis, 5-star, luces kag ang hinimo sa balay kag ginlain nga palupok.

    Ginsiling ni Duque nga ang piccolo, nga isa ka illegal nga palupok ang padayon nga numero uno nga dahilan sang disgrasya sang nagligad nga paskwa.

    Dapat man mag-andam ang publiko kag indi pagkabigon ang mga legal nga palupok nga luwas bangud ang kwitis kag luces nga legal nga mga fireworks ikaduha kag ika apat man sa listahan.

Ginpahibalo man ni Duque nga ang lima nga nagapanguna nga palupok nga nagatuga sang "blast burn kag amputation" amo ang home-made altered firecrackers, 5-star,, camara, rebentador, kag whistle bomb. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

5% tax on election expenses not an imposition on donors, says COMELEC

    Kalibo, Aklan-- The 5% tax that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) intends to collect from the candidates' campaign expenses for the May 2010 elections is not an imposition on the donors, according to Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Regional Election Director Atty. Dennis Ausan.

    Rather, it is one way of helping collecting tax for the BIR, Ausan told members of the Aklan media during a press conference called by the COMELEC here.

    According to Ausan, the BIR has already a passed revenue regulation under the National Internal Revenue Code 3 decades ago to support this tax collection activity, which would only be implemented now.

    Ausan said he was recently enlightened on this by BIR 6 Regional Director Alert Alocilja.

    Ausan said that under the tax program, a candidate will be registering himself with the BIR as a tax withholding agent.

    When the candidate then spends funds provided by his party, say, for the production of campaign materials, he could then withhold 5% of the payment from the printer, which will go to the BIR.

    "So it's not really an imposition of a donor's tax", Ausan said.

    Ausan said however, that according to the BIR, it could only impose the collection scheme on duly documented transactions for now. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

COMELEC starts campaign on educating voters

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here has started doing its rounds of campaign to educate Aklanon voters who, like other Filipinos in all parts of the country, would be exercising their rights of suffrage through automated voting in May 2010 for the first time.

    At a recent press conference here called by Atty. Dennis Ausan, Regional Election Director of COMELEC 6, he told the local media here that the provincial office had already conducted voters' education sessions with Aklan's several sectors.

    "We are doing our best to reach out to the electorates to make them aware and informed, with the strong belief that we can only have a successful election if we could have an educated electorate", said Atty. Ausan.

    Ausan said the COMELEC foresees its conduct of full blast voters' education campaigns next year in the months of January to May 2010.

    Queries fielded by the local media here and answered by Atty. Ausan centered on premature campaigning, absentee voting, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, start of election period and prohibited acts during the election period.

    Emphasizing that the COMELEC can only act on complaints when there are complainants, Ausan appealed to everyone to be vigilant. "We need the cooperation of all stakeholders," he said.

    Ausan was joined in the press conference by Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, Provincial Election Supervisor, COMELEC-Aklan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan holds seminar in response to Climate Change

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The province of Aklan recently held a one-day seminar as its response to Climate Change.

    The activity, dubbed as Aklan Response to Climate Change: Reforestation, Economic Emancipation and Poverty Alleviation Through Investing in Upland Communities, Enhancing People's Organizations' Capabilities and Expandidng Programs, was held at the Provincial Trade Hall, Provincial Capitol Grounds and attended by representatives of people's organizations in the province, Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) stakeholders and farmers, Municipal Agricultural Officers of various municipalities of the province and represenstatives of other government agencies and and private land owners.

    In his message delivered by Provincial Administrator Diego M. Luces to participants of the activity, Aklan Governor Marquez said the worsening and sick environment suffers a lot because of the people's inconsideration and abuse.

    "We know what to do and we have been educated and fed with the right information, but oftentimes we refuse to do the right thing and to act because we leave our duty to the government, we leave our duty to the educators, we leave our duty to our maids", Governor Marquez said in his message.

    For his part, former Aklan Congressman Allen s. Quimpo, currently the Aklan Rivers Development Council Executive Director who gave the rationale of the activity, pushed for the wider adoption of the Community Based Forest Management Program (CBFM) which could provide livelihood opportunities in the upland areas.

    Quimpo said the CBFM is one strategy in restoring and expanding Aklan's forest cover.

    Atty. Manuel Tayag, one of the invited resource persons of the activity, talked on opportunities for upland development, pushing for the planting of Cacao trees in between other crops for more income for the farmers and at the same time further greening the uplands.

    According to Atty. Tayag, a cacao farmer could earn P90,000 per year from 600 mature cacao plants at P150.00 per tree/per year.

    He assured the participants that there is a ready market for cacao seeds in the country.

    After the talks, representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Aklan State University, Philippine Coconut Authority, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Aklan Provincial Environment Office, private land owners and other stakeholders gave their commitments to the program.

    The creation and formation of a federation of CBFM associations in Aklan capped the one-day activity. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan mentor one of WV’s top performing schoolpaper advisers

    Kalibo, Aklan -- A school paper adviser from Aklan had been adjudged as one of the region's Best Performing School Paper Advisers for 2009.

    Ronel Tersol of the Aklan National High School for Arts and Trades (ANHSAT) here made it to the top ten who will receive the recognition from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) VI.

    The nine other awardees came from various schools from the different provinces in the region.

    The awarding ceremony will be on November 26, 2009, at the Iloilo Grand Hotel, together with the awarding of the best college publications and writers in the region.

    In her letter to Mr. Richard Flores, Secondary School Principal of ANHSAT informing him of Tersol's winning, PIA Regional Director Atty. Janet Mesa also thanked him for the support the school had been giving to PIA by sending a number of participants every year.

    "May we invite Mr. Tersol to be present during the ceremony to receive the recognition afforded him. We believe the award we are giving to Mr. Tersol is also an award to the whole school", Director Mesa said in her letter to Mr. Flores.

    The Search for Region 6' Best Performing School Paper Advisers is conducted yearly by the Philippine Information Agency as its way of appreciating and recognizing the efforts of school paper advisers in promoting development and responsible campus journalism. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Barangay Peace-keeping teams launched in Aklan

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) here recently held a provincewide launching of the Barangay Peace-keeping Action Teams (BPATs).

    The launching was held at the third Floor of Kalibo's Municipal Building with Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo as Guest of Honor/Speaker.

    The Barangay Peacekeeping Operation is a comprehensive and catch-all anti-crime strategy that seeks to empower all stakeholders to share the responsibility of peace and order maintenance towards self-policing.

    It also aims to draw the strong support and active participation of key players and stakeholders in the field of intelligence gathering and some operational aspects of policing.

"This activity is one way of recognizing the vital role of force multipliers in the fight against criminality, insurgency and terrorism and to develop crime prevention strategies that are responsive to peace and order conditions peculiar in the country", said APPO Director Sr. Supt. Epifanio A. Bragais, Jr.

The activity started with an Audio-Visual Presentation of various Modus Operadi in the Aklanon dialect.

The launching was participated in by barangay officials, tanods and other force multipliers in the task of crime prevention, control and suppression.

The implementation of the program, spearheaded by the PNP, will be complemented by local government executives and heads of concerned government agencies. (PNP/PIA)

REYES, GINMADUAN NI PGMA NGA SOLBARON ANG PROBLEMA SA LANGIS

    Ginmanduan ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sining karon lang si Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, Jr. nga abangan ang ginapan-aw nga kakulangan sa langis pagkatapos nga iya gin-anunsyo nga ang inventaryo tubtub na lamang sa walo hasta 13 ka adlaw.

    Sa amo man nga tion, ginpahagan-hagan man ni Reyes ang kahadlok sang publiko sa ginapanan-aw nga kakulangan, kay suno sa iya, magahimo man sang solusyon ang gobyerno.

    Suno sa iya, ginpausisa na niya sa iya mga tinawo ang mga inventaryo sa mga oil depot.

    Ginkunpirma man ni Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita ang report nga nagtanyag sang price discounts ang mga oil companies kabaylo sang pagkuha sang Executive Order 839. Ginsumiter na ang mga proposal nga ini kay Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, suno kay Ermita.

    Igahatag ang discount sa mga salakyan pangpubliko sa mga lugar sa Luzon nga nagaantus gihapon dala sang epekto sang mga bagyo nga Ondoy kag Pepeng. (PIA/vgv)

Aklan’s Muslim community assures PNP to help campaign against criminality

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The Muslim community in Aklan has assured the Philippine National Police (PNP) here to work hand in hand in promoting peace and order and to help in the campaign of the latter against criminality.

    This consensus was reached by both parties here after the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) headed by Director Epifanio A. Bragais, Jr. held the first-ever IMAM/MUSLIM Leaders Summit participated in by Boracay and Kalibo Muslim Associations.

    The summit was held recently at Aklan PPO Multi-Purpose Building at Camp Pastor Martelino in Kalibo.

    More than 25 Muslims/Imam leaders attended the summit, together with the Chiefs of Police of Kalibo and Boracay and Salaam Police assigned at Salaam Desks.

    Director Bragais said the summit is one way of promoting a healthy working relationship with the Muslim community and to address the issues and concerns on peace and order maintenance in the province of Aklan. (PNP/PIA/vgv)

Aklan farmers to benefit from DA’s certified seeds assistance

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan farmers who find it hard even to procure rice seeds for the next cropping season due to financial problems have reason to rejoice – the government, through the Department of Agriculture (DA) will be helping them by subsidizing 50% of the price of a bag of certified rice seeds.

    Under this scheme according to Judith Tindog of the National Food Authority (NFA) here, a farmer will only pay P600.00 for a 40-kilo bag of rice seeds worth P1,200.00 while the other P600.00 will be shouldered by the government.

    Tindog said two local government units in Aklan are already set to get their share of certified rice seeds for distribution to farmers.

    Interested farmers from other parts of the province could get in touch with their respective Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAOs) and Agricultural Technologists (ATs) if they want to avail of the assistance.

    "Payments for the certified seeds will be received at NFA-Aklan," said Tindog. "Presently, 700 bags of rice seeds are available for Aklan farmers", she added.

    Aklan is allotted by the DA with 4,700 bags of certified rice seeds. Under the program, a bag of rice seeds will be provided for every hectare of ricefields. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

NFA assures enough rice supply for Aklan

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan has enough supply of rice – more than enough that the current stocks combined at government and private warehouses and in the households could last even after the Christmas season, according to the National Food Authority (NFA) here.

    The NFA here revealed that presently, Aklan has 580,626 bags of rice which could last up tp 131 days with the biggest bulk found in households.

    The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) is in charge of monitoring rice stocks in households as part of their mandate. Based on their records, Aklan households have a total of 455,242.92 bags of rice, which could last up to 103 days.

    "The farmers' rice harvest this season greatly improved, and a big part of their produce was captured by the NFA through rice procurement", said Judith Tindog, Sr. Grains Operations Officer of the food agency.

    The improved harvest is being seen as a contributing factor to Aklan's ample rice supply in the province, having been spared from recent typhoons, unlike other provinces in Luzon.

    Tindog said the NFA continues to sell government rice at Bigasan ng Bayan outlets at P25.00 per kilo and at Tindahan Natin (TN) outlets in farflung barangays at P18.25 per kilo. Its palay procurement in the warehouse and in far-flung municipalities is still on-going.

    She assured her fellow Aklanons that the government rice stored at the NFA warehouse in Banga, Aklan and those sold at the authorized outlets are of good quality.

    She also called on rice rice retailers to

maintain cleanliness in their establishments so as not to compromise the quality of government rice sold in their outlets. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

 

ADB, MAGAHIWAT SANG ASIA PACIFIC CLIMATE CHANGE VIDEO CONTEST

    Nag-anunsyo ang Asian Development Bank (ADB) nga magahiwat ini sang isa ka bag-o nga video competition – My View: the Asia-Pacific Climate Change Video contest – nga magabulig pahibalo nahanungod sa climate change, mag inisyar sang debate kag magpatikasog sang mga solusyon sa Climate Change para sa nagapahilangup nga 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference sa Copenhagen.

    Ang Asya kag ang Pasipiko ang pinakamahuyang nga duog sa Climate Change, kon diin ang mga pamilya sang rehiyon, supply sang pagkaon kag prospekto pinansyal nagapamiligro. Ang mga pigado nagapangatubang sang pinakadaku nga panghangkat sang climate change bangud sang ila pagsalig sa mga duna nga manggad kag limitado nga pangabuhian kag pagahulagan.

    Samtang kritikal ang sitwasyon, may ara man nga mga tikang nga sarang mahimo ang mga nasyon sa pagprotektar sang mga pumuluyo sa rehiyon, ekonomiya kag palibot.

    Suno kay Ann Quon, Principal Director sang External Relations Department sang ADB, may importante nga papel ang kada tawo sa pagkontra sa Climate Change.

    "We hope people will use this contest as an opportunity to share their views, take a stand and make videos that can make a difference," siling ni Quon.

    Wala sang age restrictions para sa contest. Eligible ang tanan nga mga pumuluyo sang 67 ka member-countries sang ADB.

    Sobra sa $10,000 nga balor sang premyo ang ginatanyag sa tatlo nga kategorya para sa pinakamaayo nga video nahanungod sa Climate Change sa Asya kag sa Pasipiko.

    Suno kay Pepe Diokno, ang 22 anyos nga nagdaog sa 2009 Venice International Film Festival 'Lion and the Future' award para sa iya una nga feature film 'Engkwentro', may gahum ang video nga buksan ang pensar kag mag inspirar sang pagbag-o, kag kuntani ang mga pumuluyo sa rehiyon kag sa kalibutan maga share sang ila panan-awan kon paano masolbar ang krisis sa panahon.

    Mahapos lamang ang rehistrasyon sang contest. Ang mga aplikante magakumpleto lamang sang mapig-od nga online registration form, kag mag-upload sang ila mga videos sa YouTube.com ukon Youku.com. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Over 350,000 land jobs under gov’t emergency employment programs

    Kalibo, Aklan -- A total of 357,486 jobs had been created under the three emergency employment programs of the government intended to cushion the impact on displaced workers of the global financial crisis.

    In his report to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Secretary Domingo Panganiban of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NPC) said that as of Sept. 25, a total of 328,262 people landed jobs under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).

    The figure represented 70.45 of the targeted 465,945 workers nationwide.

    As of September 17 this year, another 15,158 young men and women were recruited under the National Youth Service Program. The recruits, aged 18 to 24, work for two years with modest pay.

    The Philippine National Police registered the highest recruitment at 5,293, followed by the Department of Public Works and Highways with 4,495, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources with 4,390, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development with 850.

    Meanwhile, displaced workers and their dependents, who have availed of temporary jobs in government, totaled 14,066 as of July 30.

    In Aklan, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that it has deployed a total of 146 Aklanon nurses in rural areas here under the Project NARS (Nurses Assigned in Rural Areas) Program of the government – 71 for the first batch, and just recently for the second batch, 75.

    Under the program, the nurses will serve for six months in hospitals and rural health centers to help improve delivery of health services, receiving a stipend of P8,000 each from the government.

    DOLE-Aklan also reported that it has launched K-Ito (Kabataan Information Technologies Opportunities) under the National Youth Service Program here and has initially hired 15 mentors for the project. As such, the mentors will be paid by DOLE stipend of P25 per hour for the duration of the project or for a maximum of 176 hours per mentor.

    K-Ito is an earning and learning project through which the IT-literate unemployed youth shall be tapped in improving IT literacy among the out-of-school youth and other disadvantaged youth through free mentoring sessions.

    The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), on the other hand, has generated a total of 975 jobs in Aklan under CLEEP since it conducted series of trainings for OTOP and non-OTOP participants as of October 28, 2009. It has served a total of 2,627 of the population employing 133 (OTOP) and 476 (Non-OTOP) individuals. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

MAG-ENLIST SA AFP RESERVE FORCE –REMONDE

    Magpa-enlist kamo sa Armed Forces Reserve Command (ARESCOMM).

    Ini nga laygay halin kay Press Secretary Cerge Remonde sa isa ka interview sa Radyo ng Bayan, sa iya pagkumbinsi sa mga Pilipino nga magpa-enlist sa Armed Forces agud sa oras sang kalamidad kag iban nga mga emerhensiya, makaserbisyo sila sa pungsod kag sa ila isigkatawo.

    Nagsiling si Remonde nga ang boluntaryo nga pag –enlist sa Armed Forces magabulig sa aktibo nga pwersa sang military pagkatapos sang pagkuha sang Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program sa mga colleges kag universities.

    Ang reserve command naga – develop, naga-organisar, nagatraining kag nagahimo sang mga reservists nga mangin capable kag aktibo nga reserve force nga kabahin sang army sa pagpangapin sang pungsod kag pagpakigsakup sa socio-economic development efforts. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

SOBRA SA 350,000 NGA PINOY, NAKATRABAHO SA IDALUM SANG EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM SANG GOBYERNO

    Nakatuga si Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sang 357,486 nga trabaho sa idalum sang tatlo ka emergency employment programs nga tuyo nga magpahagan-hagan sa epekto sang pangkalibutan nga krisis pinansyal.

    Si Secretary Domingo Panganiban sang National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), sa iya report sa Presidente ang nagpahayag nga sang Sept. 25, may kabilugan nga 327,262 nga mga pumuluyo ang nakatrabaho sa idalum sang Comprehensive Livelihoon and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).

    Nagrepresentar ang numero sang 70.45 sang gina target nga 465,945 nga mga trabahante sa bilog nga nasyon.

    Sang Setyembre 17 sang tuig nga ini, nag-abot man sa 15,158 nga mga batan-on ang na-recruit sa idalum sang National Youth Service Program. Ang mga recruits, nga naga edad 18-24 ang magatrabaho sa sulod sang duha ka tuig nga may kasarangan nga sweldo.

    Nag rehistro ang Philippine National Police sang pinakamataas nga recruitment nga may ara nga 5,293 kag ginsundan sang Department of Public Works and Highways, 4,495; Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 4,390; kag Department of Social Welfare and Development, 850.

    Sa pihak nga bahin, ang mga apektado nga mga trabahante kag ila nga pamilya, nga nakakuha sang temporary nga trabaho sa gobyerno ang nag-abot sa kabilugan nga 14,066 sang Hulyo.

    Suno kay Remonde, ang tatlo ka mayor nga job generation programs nga ginpatuman sang Presidente nagakaangay gid kay madamo nga mga multinationals sa nasyon ang nag down-sized bangud sa pressure sang global economic meltdown. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Task Force to eliminate hunger in Aklan created

    Kalibo, Aklan –An executive order creating the Provincial Anti-Hunger Task Force (PAHTF) was recently issued here by Aklan governor Carlito S. Marquez.

    According to Governor Carlito Marquez, the creation of the PAHTF through Executive Order No. 42 will facilitate the implementation of the Anti-Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) at the local level, since the initiatives of national government agencies should be complemented by similar efforts of local government units.

    The creation of the task force is also in keeping with the Philippines' commitment to eradicate all forms of deptivation, including hunger, by pursuing the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

    Composing the Task Force with Governor Marquez as the Chairman are members coming from the offices of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Nutrition Council, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Population Office, Provincial Budget Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, all under the Provincial Government of Aklan.

    Other members of the task force are from national government agencies like the Philippine Coconut Authority, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Food Authority, National Irrigation Administration, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, Aklan Police Provincial Office, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Information Agency, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

    As members, their duties and responsibilities are to formulate an Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program provincial plan, coordinate and oversee the implementation of the provincial hunger mitigation plan, ensure the convergence of services delivered by national government agencies and LGUs, and assist municipal and barangay governments in resource generation for hunger mitigation programs and projects.

    The members are also tasked to monitor the implementation of the AHMP provincial plan through preparation of monthly reports on the AHMP Plan implementation for submission to the Regional Anti-Hunger Task Force through the National Nutrition Council regional office; regular meetings to update implementation progress and to discuss and resolve implementation problems; conduct of annual program implementation review to assess accomplishments and gaps, regular project site visits and provision of feedback horizontally.

    Members are also expected to lead in advocacy for sustainable support to the program and to provide the public with regular updates on the AHMP.

    The EO was signed by Governor Marquez on October 21. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

DPWH completes big infra projects in Aklan in October

Kalibo, Aklan - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here has completed major infrastructure projects seen to further propel Aklan as an eco-tourism destination.
The list of these completed projects in Aklan was displayed by the DPWH here during the Statistical Exhibit held recently at the Provincial Trade Hall as one of the highlights of the province’ observance of the 20th National Statistics Month.
The major projects, reported by the DPWH to have been all completed on October 30 of this year include the Aklan East Road, costing P33,000,000.00; Altavas-Jamindan Road, P4,000,000.00; Caticlan Port Access Road, P10,000,000.00 and Kalibo Airport, Pook, P8,331,000.00.
The Caticlan-Malay Libertad Road, on the other hand, was completed by the DPWH on May 30, 2009 yet, with a project cost of P4,000,000.00.
Other various projects completed by DPWH located in different areas of the province include the construction of 1 classroom each in Balabag, Malay, Aklan; Tamalagon, Tangalan; Makato Integrated School; Boracay NHS; Ibajay, Aklan; Rizal Elementary School (Ibajay) and Manoc-Manoc in Boracay; construction of Flood Control/Seawall Protection-Jackstone Method at Tambak, New Washington; Caano Road, and Multi-Purpose buildings in Mandong, Batan, Tigayon, Kalibo, and Poblacion, Kalibo.
Completion dates of these projects ranged from the months of July to October of this year.
In August of this year, the DPWH also completed four water systems – Ibajay with P1,000,000.00 project cost; Libacao, P500,000.00; Tangalan, P1,000,000.00 and Malinao, P500,000.00.
These recently-completed projects were implemented by the DPWH here under the watch of its District Engineer, Roberto J. Cabigas.
Other big projects implemented and inaugurated in the province were the Ibajay Bridge in Ibajay, Aklan, inaugurated by no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in June 2008 and the Camaligan Bridge in Camaligan, Batan, Aklan.
Besides the DPWH, 13 other national and provincial agencies participated in the Statistical Exhibit, which had an overall theme “Enhancing Security Sector Statistics for Good Governance, Peace and Sustainable Development. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)


DPWH-Aklan personnel led by District Engineer Roberto J. Cabigas (right) inside their exhibit booth during the Statistical Exhibit at the Provincial Trade Hall, one of the highlights of the observance of National Statistics Month in the province. The DPWH displayed statistical data and pictures of completed infrastructure projects in Aklan. (PIA/VGV)

 

WARMING UP! Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez and Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo Quimpo lead the officials and employees of both provincial, municipal and national agencies in Aklan during the Hataw, the highlight of the Alay Lakad 2009 celebration held recently at the Kalibo Pastrana Park. Also in the picture is Hon. Greg Malapad of the Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan. (JERRamos/PIA-Aklan)

 

Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo Quimpo and Schools Division Superintendent-DepEd Aklan, Ms. Victorina Laroza lead the 2009 Alay Lakad-Hataw held at the Pastrana Park, Kalibo, Aklan. The celebration started with the usual dawn walk from three points of origin and converge at the Pastrana park. This year's Alay Lakad promotes Hataw as one of the healthy lifestyle practices. Last year, it was celebrated by cleaning the major government installations, offices and major thoroughfares in Kalibo which was badly affected by flood brought about by typhoon Frank. (JERRamos/PIA-Aklan)

 

SWEATING IT OUT! Police SSupt. Epifanio A. Bragais, Provincial Director of the Aklan Police Provincial Office leads the men and women of the Aklan police force during the Hataw, the highlight of the Alay Lakad 2009 held at Kalibo Pastrana Park. (JERRamos/PIA-Aklan)

U.S. government to train Aklan policemen on ICITAP

Kalibo, Aklan -- The United States government will be training Aklan policemen here under the Integrated Transformation Program (ITP) starting November 9 to December 18, 2009.

    According to Senior Police Supt. Epifanio A. Baragais, Jr., Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) Director, the policemen who would be undergoing training are those from Kalibo Police Station and from Boracay Special Tourist Police Office (BSTPO).

    The US Department of Justice-International Criminal Investigative Training Assitance Program (US-DOJ-ICITAP) will strengthen the law enforcement capabilities and help improve the services of the local police, according to Supt. Bragais.

    He said the project is part of the Model Police Stations program of the PNP.

    "The BSTPO and the Kalibo Police Station will continue to be part of the 10 beneficiaries of the ICITAP," Bragais added.

    Under the program, the Aklan policemen will be trained on the following courses:Narcotics Interdiction with participants specifically assigned in Operations and as Narcotics Operatives; Crime Scene Photography with First Responders and Crime Lab personnel; Technical Writing and Public Speaking with participants of any rank and designation; Human Rights for Desk Officers - participants with rank of PO3 to SPO4; Executive Development and Leadership- participants with rank of PSI to PSSUPT and Restorative Justice and Juvenile Justice with participants of any rank and designation.

    For Aklan, three PNP-trained adjunct instructors will be assisting in the ICITAP training – PO3 Jose Rupe Panganonong, APPO Investigator; PO2 Nida L. Gregas, DPIO and PO2 Aubrey A. Taladtad, WCPC PNCO, as co-instructors.

    The training in Kalibo will be held at the GLC Tourism and Training Center while the elements of the BSTPO will have theirs at Casa Pilar Beach Resort in Boracay Island.

    Besides the PNP personnel in Aklan, other provinces in Western Visayas will also benefit from the training program, as the US Department of Justice has committed to conduct and finance trainings for police personnel from Model Police Stations under ICITAP. (APPO/PIA-VGVillanueva)

 

GOBYERNO, NAGALAUM SA LIWAT NGA PAGBUKAS SANG PEACE TALKS SA MILF, ‘COMMUNIST REBELS’ SA DISYEMBRE

    Nagalaum ang gobyerno sa pagbukas sang na-untat nga 'peace talks' upod sa Muslim kag rebeldeng komunista sa Disyembre, suno kay Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) Annabelle T. Abaya.

    Suno sa iya, daku ini nga grasya nga mahatag sa mga tawo - regalo nga paglaum kag regalo nga katawhayan sa paskwa, siling ni Abaya sa iya pormal nga pagbaton sang iya bag-o nga posisyon.

    Nag-untat ang peace talks upod sa Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) sang 2005 pagkatapos nga tawgon ang NPA, ang armado nga kusog sang CPP kag National Democratic Front (NDF) nga terorista nga grupo sang Estados Unidos kag European Union.

    Sa pihak nga bahin, ang negosasyon pangkatawhayan sa MILF nauntat man pagkatapos sang wala madayon nga pagpirma sang kontrobersyal nga Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) sang Agusto sang nagligad nga tuig.

    Gin ako ni Abaya nga ang iya bag-o nga trabaho nga magadugay lamang sang walo ka bulan sa idalum sang administrasyon ni Presidente Arroyo tama gid kadaku.

    Sa pihak sini, ginsiling ni Abaya nga "we must make quick but significant wins to the finish line." Gindugang pa gid niya nga sang tawgan siya ni Presidente Arroyo, ang iya mensahe amo nga "there is so much to do. We must hit the ground running."

    Samtang, ginpabutyag ni Abaya ang mga butang nga gusto niya matabu sa sulod sang walo ka bulan:

• Liwat nga pagbukas sang peace talks upod ang MILF kag CPP-NPA-NDF
  
• 'Closure' sa kasugtanan sa Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade kag ang Reboluyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao
  
• Pag review sang 1996 peace agreement sa MILF paagi sa joint proposal sa mga tikang kag legislative agenda sa pagpabaskog sang inug implementar nga bahin sang kasugtanan
  
• Mas daku nga koordinasyon kag integrasyon sa tunga sang negotiating panels kag OPPAP
  

Nag issue man si Abaya sang serye sang mga direktiba agud ma improbar ang operasyon sang OPPAP, paayuhon ang mga inisyatibo sini para sa katawhayan, kag magtuga sang daku nga enerhiya upod ang mga peace partners sini. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PAGPALAWIG SANG REHISTRASYON SANG BOTANTE, DEPENDE SA COMELEC

    Sa kamot sang Commission on Elections (COMELEC) ang pagpalawig sang deadline sa rehistrasyon sang mga botante, suno sa Malacanang sining karon lang.

    Suno kay Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita sa iya regular nga briefing sa Malacanang, indi mapasilabtan ang COMELEC tungod ini isa ka 'autonomous kag independent Constitutional body' nga amo ang maga desisyon sa mga kaso pareho sang pagpalawig sang deadline sang rehistrasyon.

    Ginsiling man ni Ermita nga ang Executive Branch indi makadikta sa isa ka Constitutional body sa amo nga butang, kag dapat respetuhon sang tanan ang desisyon sang COMELEC.

    Suno sa iya, ang batasan sang mga Pilipino nga maghimo sang mga butang sa pinakaulihi nga minuto ang ginkonsiderar sang Presidente sa order nga palawigon ang deadline para sa gun amnesty kon diin madamo pa ang nagakinahanglan sang amnestiya.

    "This amnesty is very much like the deadline being sought for the voters' registration," dugang ni Ermita. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

OWWA to conduct free seminar for families of OFWs

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), together with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will be conducting a "Seminar on Financial Literacy" for the families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

    The seminar will be held on November 20, 2009 at the ACP Centerpoint, Arch. Reyes St., Kalibo.

    The activity, according to Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Aklan manager Vivian R. Solano, will help much in informing the families of OFWs on the benefits of sending and receiving remittances through banks.

    The seminar will also give pointers/guides on the proper way of spending money sent by OFWs for their families back home.

    Solano said those interested to attend the seminar should register at the PESO Office at the Provincial Capitol here during office hours starting this week up to Friday, November 13, 2009.

    The Seminar on Financial Literacy is free. It will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    OWWA 6 is now headed by its new Regional Director, Samuel S. Madrid. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

ECC, NAGPAGUWA SANG ‘COMPENSATORY GUIDELINES OF MURDEROUS ASSAULT’

    Nagpaguwa sining karon lang ang Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC) sang sulundan sa pagdeterminar sa igahatag nga kompensasyon sa biktima sang 'murderous assault' agud palareho ang talan-awan sa pag ebalwar sang mga 'claims' sa SSS para sa pribado nga sector kag GSIS para sa publiko nga sector.

    Ang sulundan nagasiling nga ang kamatayon sang isa ka empleyado bilang resulta sang 'murderous assault' mahatagan compensasyon kon natabo ini samtang ang empleyado nagahimo sang iya opisyal nga trabaho.

    Indi na kinahanglan nga i-establisar ang motibo sang pag-atake kon ang empleyado napilasan samtang siya ara sa iya gina obrahan ukon nagatuman siya sang ginapa-obra sang iya pinuno.

    Sa pihak nga bahin, ang pag establisar sang motibo mangin importante kon ang gin-atake nga empleyado ara sa vacation leave, off-duty, ukon sa guwa sang gina obrahan sang natabo ang pag-atake. Ang pagsugid sang motibo magabulig determinar sang koneksyon sa tunga sang insidente kag sa pagtrabaho sang empleyado.

    Ang ECC nagapormular sang mga palisiya kag sulundan para sa epektibo nga pag implementar sang Employees' Compensation Program. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

GOBYERNO, NAKIGDAYALOGO SA SEKTOR SANG NEGOSYO SA ‘OIL PRICE CAP’

    Ginsiling ni Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar sa isa ka press briefing nga pagabawion ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang oil price rollback kon kinahanglanon sang sitwasyon.

    Ginhimo ni Olivar ang obserbasyon sa pag-apelar nga ginhimo sang Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) nga bawion na sang Presidente ang Executive Order No. 839, nga naga rollback sang oil pump prices sa level sang Oktubre 15 pagkatapos sang deklarasyon sang state of calamity sa Metro Manila kag Luzon.

    Sa ginhiwat man nga briefing, si Deputy Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo ang nagsugid nga si Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, upod ang Department of Energy ang nakigkita sa business community sa pagpamuno sang PCCI para sa serye sang konsultasyon sa ila nga apelar.

    Suno kay Fajardo, may padayon nga dayalogo kag konsultasyon, apang mientras nga may kalamidad sa Luzon, magapabilin ang price control.

    Ginsiling ni Fajardo nga ang pinakauna nga ginakabalak-an ni Presidente Arroyo amo ang sitwasyon sang madamo nga mga pumuluyo nga apektado sang kalamidad. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan to hold 7th Product Showcase in Iloilo City

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The province of Aklan will once again showcase the best of its products in Iloilo City as it holds the 2009 Product Showcase at The Event Center, SM City Iloilo on November 9-15.

    Now on its 7^th year, DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr. said the product showcase will have as its main attractions Aklan's world-famous products like the piña loomwoven fabrics, nito and abacacrafts, processed meat products, bakery, and specialty delicacies.

    Other products will include bayong, handmade paper crafts, clay-based products, furniture and furnishings, vermicast fertilizer and ornamental plants.

    According to DTI-Aklan, twenty-seven (27) Aklanon Micro,Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will be participating.

    Aklan's OTOPs (One Town-One Product) of the province' LGUs will also be displayed and sold.

    This annual promotions event is a joint project of Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc. and the Department of Trade and Industry-Aklan Provincial Office with the support of the Provincial Government of Aklan.

    The Opening and Unveiling of the showcase will be on November 9 which is expected to be graced by Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores of the Lone District of Aklan and Governor Carlito s. Marquez. They will both be delivering inspirational messages.

    Last year's showcase brought in P2.4131M cash sales and booked orders. Top sellers then were bakery and meat products, produced by Aklan's thriving MSMEs.

    Aklan's MSMEs, as with those in various parts of the country, are acknowledged as the government's partners in providing jobs and livelihood opportunities to the people.

    Just recently, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo hailed the MSMEs as "weapon against extreme poverty". (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

 

 

Boracay visitor arrivals reach half-million mark

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Visitor arrivals in the island of Boracay breached the half-million mark as of September 2009.

    Based on records displayed by the Provincial Tourism Office here at the Statistical Exhibit/Contest of national and provincial government agencies at the Provincial Trade Hall, visitor arrivals in Boracay Island from January to September of this year totaled 506,896.

    Domestic tourists made up the biggest number of Boracay visitors during the 9-month period with 343,076 followed by foreign tourists with 143,731 and Overseas Filipinos, 20,269.

    Domestic tourists were biggest in number during the months of April with 75,161: May, 68,837 and March, 41,007. They were lowest in number in the month of August.

    On the other hand, foreign visitors were biggest in number in January 2009 with 23,161 and August, with 21,428.

    The biggest number of Overseas Filipinos flocked to the island in January with 4,283. They were lowest in number in August with 1,417.

    The month of August is considered a lean month in Aklan if not in the entire Philippines which could be the reason why less domestic and overseas Filipinos visited the island during the period.

    For foreigners, however, August seems a good month to visit the island, as next to January, they were biggest in number during this month in Boracay Island.

    The foreign, domestic and Overseas Filipinos' visit to the island generated a total of P9,318,471,926.00 in tourism receipts.

The holding of the Statistical Exhibit/ Contest among government agencies at the Provincial Trade Hall is one of the activities conceptualized by the province in observance of National Statistics Month this October. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)