Dr. Anthony Palomar, Acting Medical Quarantine Officer (with michrophone) based at the Kalibo International Airport, Kalibo, Aklan said that in the absence of a Thermal Scanner in the airport, thermal strips are instead used in monitoring the body temperature of passengers especially from direct international flights landing in Kalibo. Thermal strips are placed on the forehead of passengers who looked having colds or fever. If the strip changes color indicating that the passenger has a fever, he will be escorted down from the plane and be brought to KIA's medical holding lounge for a thorough medical check up. KIA, though not well equipped with medical facilities to check on cases like this, is very well prepared in case anything goes wrong. Also inthe picture are CAAP-KIA Manager, Engr. Percy Malonesio and Dr. Ronald Lorenzo of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian-Aklan. (JERRamos/PIA)

BPO grows amid crisis, says PGMA

The Philippines’ Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing Industry continues to grow despite the crisis, according to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

As of February 2009, the IT industry has generated 400,000 jobs, while during the whole year of 2008, a total of 372,000 were employed.

In 2004, 101,000 jobs were generated by the industry; in 2005, 163,000; in 2006, 236,000; and in 2007, 300,000.

“We have created the BPO’s industry from almost nothing in 2001. In 2001, there were 4,000 BPO workers when our administration started, today there are 400,000 BPO workers,” the President said.

President Arroyo supported wider access to communications and information services by encouraging provision of broadband services in cities and growth areas. Companies that are accredited as Ecozone Information Technology (IT) enterprises by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) are entitled to a holiday from income and local taxes for four to eight years.

The province of Aklan, through Aklanon workers hired by call centers in Manila, also continue to benefit from the IT BPO industry. In 2008, the Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) here recorded a total of 30 employees hired by Cyber City Teleservices (Phils.) Incorporated.

Just recently, when the province of Aklan conducted a mega job fair here, majority of business establishments that sought applicants from Aklan were call centers, all based in Metro Manila. According to PESO-Aklan, many Aklanons got hired during the job fair. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Ombudsman to grace Caravan of Government Services in Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan -- Hon. Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez, Ombudsman of the Republic of the Philippines, has confirmed her attendance in the Caravan of Government Services in the province of Aklan on May 29.

Evangeline G. Nuñal, Associate Graft Investigation Officer III of the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas in Region 6 said Hon. Gutierrez will be delivering a keynote speech in the opening program of the caravan at the ABL Sports Complex here after the ceremonial turnover of the Ombudsman Caravan of Government Social Services by Hon. Pablo L. Perez, Municipal Mayor of Pototan, Iloilo, the recipient of the 2nd Caravan of Government Services, to Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez.

The caravan will be held for two days in Aklan starting May 28. On May 28, a press conference with the Aklan media will be held at 9:30 at the Conference Room of the Provincial Guest House here with Hon. Pelagio S. Apostol, Deputy Ombudsman, together with Atty. Virginia Palanca-Santiago, Assistant Ombudsman for the Visayas, and Atty. Carla Juris Narvios Tanco, Acting Director, PACPO.

The Ombudsman and his party will also pay a courtesy call to Governor Carlito Marquez, Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo and the SP members. He will also meet Aklan’s 17 municipal mayors. In the afternoon, a Public Accountability Seminar for barangay officials and division chiefs will be held with Hon. Apostol tackling up topics on Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA3019) and Code of Conduct & Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employees (RA 6713).

Jose Cabarles, State Auditor of Commission on Audit Region VI will also brief the participants on OPLAN RED PLATE.

On May 29, a medical-dental mission will be conducted for Aklanons needing medical assistance.

The Philippine Army will be offering free haircuts and Shiatzu massage during the medical-dental mission, according to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Nuñal advised that those who would avail of medical and dental services should register early. According to her, the Department of Health (DOH) has already committed P78,000 worth of medicines while the PCSO committed medicines amounting to P50,000.

As of the final briefing, Nuñal revealed that more than 20 government agencies from Iloilo have committed to join the Caravan

Aklan is the third recipient of the Caravan, which is spearheaded by the Office of the Ombudsman in cooperation with the Provincial Government, the Municipality of Kalibo, and partner government agencies in Region VI. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Ms. Maria Luvilla H. Gaurana, Associate Graft Investigation Officer I, Ombudsman (Visayas) Regional Office VI, explains the Flowchart on the Medical and Dental Mission for the 3rd Caravan of Government Services during the final briefing held at the Provincial Guest House Conference Hall. The Caravan which will be held at the Augusto B. Legaspi Sports Complex, Kalibo, Aklan on May 28-29,, 2009 is being headed by the Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas) RO VI, Iloilo City in cooperation with the Provincial Govenment of Aklan, through Governor Carlito S. Marquez, the Municipality of Kalibo, through Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo and the Partner Agencies in Region VI. Also in the picture are Engr. Roger M. Esto, Provincial Planning and Dev't. Coordinator, Dr. Paul Macahilas of the Provincial Health Office, and Ms. Grace Macahilas of the Provincial Budget Office. (JERRamos/PIA)

Ms. Evangeline G. Nuñal, Associate Graft Investigation Officer III, Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas) Iloilo Regional Office VI, Iloilo City (extreme Center) discussing possible scenarios during the final briefing at the Provincial Guest House Conference Hall, for the up and coming 3rd Ombudsman Caravan of Government Social Services which will be held at the Augusto B. Legaspi Sports Complex, Kalibo, Aklan on May 28-29, 2009. This project is headed by the Ombudsman and with the cooperation of the Provincial Government of Aklan through Governor Carlito S. Marquez, the Municipality of Kalibo, through Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo and the Partner Agencies in Region VI. (JERRamos/PIA)

Aklan, Ombudsman-Visayas all set for caravan of services; medical dental mission

Kalibo, Aklan -- The province of Aklan is all set for the holding of a Caravan of Social Services with Medical and Dental Mission on May 28-29 initiated by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas Regional Office 6.

During the final briefing to all Action Officers May 22 at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office here, Evangeline Nuñal, Associate Graft Investigation Officer III of the Office of Ombudsman Visayas said that as of briefing time, twenty-one national government agencies from Iloilo City has signified their intention to join the caravan of social services in Aklan and 9 more are awaited to give their commitment.

Action officers for the caravan of services are composed of heads and representatives of government offices in the province.

Nuñal also said that the Department of Health (DOH) has committed to provide some P78,000 worth of medicines while the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes (PCSO) will also be providing P50,000 worth of medicines for the Medical and Dental Mission.

PAGCOR’s commitment for its share of medicines for the medical/dental mission, for the meantime, is being awaited.

Fifteen doctors, according to Nuñal, have given their commitment to join the medical/dental mission here, while the Provincial Health Office of Aklan and the Philippine Army also committed to augment this number.

First day of the Caravan of Social Services will consist of courtesy calls to Aklan’s provincial officials by Hon. Pelagio S. Apostol, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas and OMB staff at the Governor’s Office, followed by a press conference with the local media. The OMB will also meet with Aklan’s 17 municipal mayors.

The Rationale of the Project will be presented by Atty. Carla Juris Narvios-Tanco, Acting Director-PACPO followed by an open forum and dialogue with Deputy Ombudsman-Visayas Apostol.

In the afternoon of May 28, a Public Accountability Seminar will be held which will be attended by more than 300 barangay officials and division chiefs of the province. Hon. Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez, Ombudsman, will give the overview of the Ombudsman through a video presentation.

Topics which will be discussed by Hon. Apostol include Anti-Graft & corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) and Code of Conduct & Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employees. On the other hand, Mr. Jose C. Cabarles, State Auditor, COA 6, will conduct a briefing on OPLAN RED PLATE. An open forum will follow, and the activity will be capped with the signing of the Pledge of Commitment and Panunumpa ng Kawani ng Gobyerno.

The second day will be devoted to the medical-dental mission, but will have a ceremonial turn-over of the Ombudsman Caravan of Government Social Services by Hon. Pablo Perez, Municipal Mayor of Pototan, Iloilo, to Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez with Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez, who is said to be 80% sure of coming, and Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio S. Apostol.

Hon. Gutierrez will be giving a keynote speech after which the caravan will be formally opened by Hon. Apostol.

The medical mission expects to serve more or less 1,000 Aklanons. Besides the medical mission and other services offered on the spot by government agencies such as the Ombudsman, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Food Authority and many others, the Philippine Army will also be giving free haircuts and Shiatzu massage.

The holding of the caravan of government services here by the Office of the Ombudsman is in line with its thrust and fight against graft and corruption, and is an alliance between partner agencies to make public services readily available to the people. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

DDB, PHILJIA to hold seminar on Dangerous Drugs Law in Boracay

Kalibo, Aklan -- An inter-agency conference/seminar-workshop on Dangerous Drugs Law will be held in Aklan by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) in collaboration with the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) on May 26-27.

The activity, which will be specifically held at Casa Pilar Hotel, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, will be graced as guest speakers by Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez and Undersecrecretary Clarence V. Oaminal, Vice Chairman and Permanent Board Member of the DDB.

At the helm to serve as lecturer is P/SSupt. Clarence Guinto, Provincial Police Director of Aklan, who will tackle important provisions of Republic Act 9165 – the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The seminar-workshop in Aklan is intended for judges, prosecutors and law enforcers particularly those specifically designated to handle drug cases.

The seminar-workshop aims to update participants on the important provisions of RA 9165 and drug-related laws, enhance their knowledge in handling drug evidence and to also provide them the venue to discuss emerging issues on the different areas of the new drug law and problems that they encounter in drug cases, as well as finding solutions to these issues and problems.

USEC Oaminal will also lecture on several aspects of RA 9165. He is an author of several books, one of which is entitled “Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” that was cited in a recent case, People of the Philippines vs. Salvador Sanchez y Espiritu on the necessity of complying with prescribed procedures on the seizure and custody of dangerous drugs.

After the seminar-workshop in Aklan, the same activity will be held in the province of Iloilo on May 29 with Usec. Oaminal as keynote speaker and P/CSupt. Isagani Cuevas, Police Regional Director of Region 6 as host.

The seminar-workshop in Boracay, according to the DDB, is seen to be attended by some 100 government officials. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan’s public, private sectors converge to be competitive

New Washington, Aklan -- More than a hundred Aklanon participants from the public and private sector gathered together as partners towards competitiveness in a roadshow conducted by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) at the Sampaguita Gardens here recently in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan and the Departmentment of Trade and Industry.

The NCC roadshow was attended by representatives from national, provincial and municipal agencies in Aklan, non-government organizations, the business sector and local entrepreneurs.

The NCC roadshow consisted of lectures and presentations from the council staff, the provincial government of Aklan and various government financial institutions and banks where Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and other groups could access loans in order to make their products or firms competitive.

Ruy Y. Moreno, Director for Operations (Private Sector), NCC, emphasized that the country’s source of resilience at this time of crisis is its investments and that there are many doables in 2009 to make the Philippines and its people competitive.

Some of these, according to Moreno, include having competitive human resources through improved education especially on English, Science and Math through the support program for teacher and students, enhancing basic education track to 12 years and matching skills and market demands and encourage dual training approach; through efficient public and private sector management; effective access to financing; improved transaction flows and costs;seamless infrastructure network and energy cost competitiveness and self sufficiency.

Also present in the roadshow to talk the queries and concerns of Aklanons on effective access to financing as well as their respective loan programs were Dulce Q. Ranosa, SAVP, DBP-SME Department, who talked on MSME Lending and Hedging; Arthur Genavia, Project Development Officer, Land Bank of the Philippines, who talked on Development Advocacy Program; Emmanuel Torres, Vice President, PhilExim-Business Development Group II, Wholesale Lending for Direct and Indirect Exporters; and Julie Jean S. Tidon, Account Officer, SB Corporation, who talked on Retail Lending and Microfinancing Program.

DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado Cadena Jr. said the province of Aklan is lucky to be chosen as one of the venues of the NCC Roadshow.

Cadena told the NCC group, the GFIs as well as the Aklanon participants that the province has great promise, potentials and accomplishments in its best practices, and it has some products – one of them the Pina cloth which gave Aklan international prominence.

The NCC was created by virtue of E.O. 571 and is engaged in the implementation of the Action Agenda on competitiveness which was endorsed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the National Competitiveness Summit in October 2006.

“Magaling ang Pinoy…Magaling ang Pilipinas!” is the NCC roadshow’s battlecry to emphasize to Aklanons that competitiveness begins with each individual. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Free U.S. immigration seminar slated

Kalibo, Aklan -- A seminar on U.S. Immigration Laws will be held here on May 120 for Aklanons planning to be U.S. immigrants or those with pending applications.

According to Provincial Employment and Service Office (PESO) Manager Vivian R. Solano, the seminar will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot (GCLC) Tourism and Training Center at Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.

The free seminar will be conducted by the Provincial Government of Aklan under Governor Carlito Marquez with the Carpio-Dela Cruz Law Offices in Kalibo through Atty. Beato Alessandro C. De La Cruz III.

An immigration lawyer from Bunagan-Marapao and Associates of Los Angeles, California, U.S. A. will be coming to conduct a lecture and explain on the rules and new laws on U.S. Immigration.

An open forum will follow after the lecture so those with questions could seek clarifications on their concerns.

Those interested to attend the seminar, according to Solano, should register at the PESO Office first because the seminar will only accommodate 200 participants on a “first come, first served basis. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PNRC to provide 350 more shelter assistance to “Frank” victims

Kalibo, Aklan – The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) here is providing some 350 additional shelter assistance to Aklanons who lost their houses to Typhoon Frank almost a year ago.

PNRC-Aklan Provincial Assistance said the additional shelter assistance will bring to a total of 603 shelters provided for Aklanon families who can not afford to build their houses after the typhoon totally destroyed their dwellings.

PNRC earlier released housing materials for 253 families in the municipalities of Kalibo and Numancia.

With the additional assistance, typhoon victims from the adjacent town of New Washington will get to avail of the shelter assistance from the PNRC.

“The PNRC’s shelter assistance comes in the form of materials, some of which are imported. Almost everything is provided – even the nails, saw, hammers and pails. The beneficiaries’ counterpart is labor, and there is a specific timetable for the beneficiaries to complete construction of their houses,” Pelayo said.

Pelayo called on those who received their shelter assistance/housing materials already to complete construction of their houses, because it was stipulated on the contract they had with the PNRC that once they cannot start or complete construction of their houses during the given time, their materials will be pulled out and will be given to other families needing the same.

Pelayo revealed that most of the houses are already completed and would be formally turned over to the recipients soon with no less than Senator Richard Gordon gracing the ceremonies.

For the meantime, Pelayo said the houses, once finished, could already be occupied by the beneficiaries/ families.

The houses, according to Pelayo, have uniform designs and materials and could easily be identified.

“The PNRC will also post stickers on the houses for easy recognition during monitoring periods”, Pelayo said. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PNRC – Aklan holds awarding rites for Aklanon “Frank” volunteers

Kalibo, Aklan -- More than 60 Aklanons were honored here by the Philippine National Red Cross – Aklan (PNRC) May 14 for extending help and support to the PNRC when Typhoon Frank struck the province of Aklan almost a year ago.

The awarding ceremony was held at the 2nd Flr. of the Capt. Gil Mijares Memorial Building here. The event was one of the highlights of the PNRC’s observation of the 2009 World Red Cross Day.

Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez led the list of awardees. Former Congressman Allen S. Quimpo, former Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino, Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, Provincial Engineer Victory Fernandez, Philippine Army Col. Nicolas Pasion, SP Member Selwin Ibarreta and IBC-DYRG Station Manager Augusto C. Tolentino were also awardees.

Most awardees, however, according to PNRC-Aklan Administrator Arcely Pelayo, were young persons who almost stayed all the time at the PNRC Office, helping transport sacks of rice, food items and other essential goods and materials to typhoon victims.

“What is so commendable about these young volunteers is that some of them were typhoon victims too, but they opted to assist the PNRC in reaching out to the typhoon victims, even if they and their families needed help too”, said Mrs. Pelayo.

Pelayo admitted that PNRC’s recognition of the volunteers’ assistance to the PNRC is a bit late, but what is important is that their efforts and services get acknowledged, “and will never be forgotten by the PNRC.”

The officials cited, led by Gov. Marquez, on the other hand, provided the logistics for the PNRC.

The PNRC also awarded the Aklan Provincial Government, Philippine Airlines Foundation, Aklan Police Provincial Office, NVC RSQ Building, Metro Kalibo Water District, PANTELCO and 12th Infantry (Lick ‘Em) Bn. (CAFGU) ID, PA. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan’s 2 Best Public Sector Projects awarded, cited by PGMA

Two of Aklan’s entries for Best Public Sector projects were recently awarded and given citations by President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo when she graced the Best Public Sector Awards in Bacolod City May 14.

Aklan’s winning projects – the Aklan State University – Isla Kapispisan Mangrove Reforestation and Eco-tourism Project in Brgy. Pinamuk-an, New Washington Aklan and Nabas town’s Health Nutrition Development Program, along with 10 other commendable and beneficial projects of other provinces in Region 6 took center stage as President Arroyo, guest speaker of the event handed the awards to the winners.

The Best Public Sector Awards had 4 categories: Provincial and City Government Units, regional line agencies, state universities and colleges, and municipal government units, regardless of the kind of scope of the projects.

ASU’s Isla Kapispisan Mangrove Reforestation and Eco-tourism Project emerged number one among the entries under the state universities and colleges category, besting Capiz State University’s Coconut Breeding Program and the University of the Philippines in the Visayas’ Program Towards Community Managed Peace and Order Initiatives.

The town of Nabas, which won under the Provincial and City Government Units Category with its Health Nutrition Development Project, placed fourth, with the Province of Negros Occidental’s Computerized Real Property Tax Accounts (RPTA) System Project topping the list followed by San Carlos City’s Eco-Center Project, 2nd, and Talisay City’s Eco Center Project. Placing 5th was the Integrated Health Care Program of Sebaste, Antique and Ecological Solid Waste Program of Santa Barbara, Iloilo, 6th.

Winners under the Regional Line Agencies include BJMP Multi-Purpose Cooperative, 1st, DOH 6 Program of Empowering Persons With HIV-AIDS, ISO Certification of the LTO Region 6 Licensing Center.

The ASU-Isla Kapispisan Mangrove Reforestation and Eco-tourism Project, according to ASU-New Washington, Aklan campus, main implementor of the program, was started more than 10 years ago by the school not only with the students as prime movers but other government agencies which saw the potential of the area as a livelihood source for marginal fisherfolks and a future eco-tourism destination.

Today, the project not only helps the livelihood of the people in the area. It has also become a tourist destination and at the same time the focus of research works and extension programs by the local government and foreign workers.

According to Priscilla Tabay, ASU-New Washington professor, the local government unit of New Washington as well as the provincial government of Aklan have extended financial assistance to the project, which in turn was utilized forbuying more mangrove propagules to cover more areas.

With the award the project has just obtained, the school expects more assistance and attention to be extended on the program. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Tourism act establishes Boracay Island as “tourism enterprise zone”

Kalibo, Aklan -- The signing of Tourism Act by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo established the island of Boracay in Malay, Aklan as one of the country’s “tourism enterprise zones”.

The Tourism Act of 2009 was signed by PGMA during the recent “One Visayas Summit on Climate Change” at the Imperial Palace Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City.

Other tourism enterprise zones in strategic areas established through the Tourism Act or RA 9593 include Cebu, Davao, Bohol, Laguna, Cavite, Palawan and Iloilo – aimed to lure foreign investors and tourists to visit places rich in history and culture.

The signing of the National Tourism Act is seen to propel the country’s tourism industry to be more globally competitive.

The new law declares it a national policy for tourism to be one of the country’s engines of investment and employment and of growth and national development.

The President noted during the one-on-one regional interview that the signing of the tourism statute in Cebu is appropriate at this time as the province is the number one international destination in Asia while the Visayas region is the country’s tourism center.

Meanwhile, tourist arrivals in the island of Boracay registered a total of 250,843 for the first 4 months of 2009.

Based on the records from the Provincial Tourism Office here, the tourist arrivals for the period translated into a total of P4,611,347,206.20.

Visitors were biggest in number during the month of April at 92,813, broken down into 15,108 foreign arrivals, 75,161 domestic and 2,544 overseas Filipinos. For January 2009, 48,458 visited the island; February, 47,527 and March, 60,159.

Last year, a total of 239,875 visitors visited the island during the same period. Visitors also registered highest in April last year with 83,731.

Total tourist arrivals last year reached 577,868, generating some P10,623,178,591.20 tourism receipts. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

National Competitiveness Council to hold roadshow in Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan -- A roadshow billed as “Public Private Partnership Towards Compettiveness” will be held here in Aklan on May 19 by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) and Philexport in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Governor and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The roadshow will be held whole day of May 19 at the Sampaguita Gardens in New Washington, Aklan.

The NCC, according to DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr. was created by virtue of E.O. 571 and is engaged in the implementation of the Action Agenda on Competitiveness which was endorsed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the National Competitiveness Summit in October 2006. The Action Agenda identified programs towards improving competitiveness in six areas, namely Human Resources, Management, Financing, Transaction Cost and Flows, Infrastructure and Energy.

“The NCC aims to follow-through continuous improvement efforts so that our country can reach the top third ranking in the World Competitiveness report by 2010,” said PD Cadena in his letter inviting Aklan’s non-government organizations, local government units, government financial institutionss and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to attend the roadshow.

Cadena also said the activity aims to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the private and public sectors stakeholders.

“It is also hoped for that the roadshow will provide an opportunity for the NCC to generate cooperation tie-up with the local chambers, NGOs and LGUs on how to push forward the NCC priority action agenda for competitiveness as well as provide pertinent information to the MSMEs and exporters regarding access to financing with ease.

Some of the highlights of the roadshow program on May 19 include a talk on Public – Private Sector Partnership Towards Competitiveness by Ruy Y. Moreno, director of NCC Private Sector for Operations; Aklan Province’s Pursuit for Competitiveness (Presentation of Best Practices/Milestones) by Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez; Effectiveness Access to Financing: Loan Programs of GFIs/Banks and Testimonials of Clients by Small Business Corporation; talk on Export Promotion Fund by Elsa Valenzuela, Policy Officer, NCC and EDC and Cliniquing (Detailed One-On-One with GFIs/Banks.

The roadshow is part of the NCC’s advocacycampaign in the countryside. (PIA/Venus g. Villanueva)

Ombudsman-Visayas office to hold caravan of social services, medical and dental mission in Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan – The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas Regional Office 6 will be holding a Caravan of Social Services with Medical and Dental Mission in the province of Aklan on May 28-and 29.

According to Virginia Palanca-Santiago, the holding of the activity is in line with the Office of the Ombudsman’s thrust and fight against graft and corruption.

Palanca-Santiago said the Caravan of Government Services is in alliance between partner agencies to make public services readily available to the people by putting efforts together in one big event.

The caravan of services will be held the whole day of May 29 at the ABL Sports Complex, according to Palanca-Santiago.

Areas will be designated to various government agencies at the ABL Sports Complex to exhibit or showcase the services of respective government agencies.

This forthcoming activity is just one of the projects the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas.

In March of this year, the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas Regional Office 6 launched the Task Force OPLAN RED PLATE in the Western Visayas.

The Task Force, created with partner agencies like the Commission on Audit (COA), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), is tasked to monitor government vehicles to ensure that they (vehicles) are being used prudently, judiciously and efficiently, so as not to produce wastage in government resources.

In Aklan, the Task Force had its initial monitoring on April 4 along Kalibo’s busiest streets and in Caticlan, Malay, the jump-off point to Boracay Island. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklanons swarm mega job fair, get instant jobs

Kalibo, Aklan -- Thousands of Aklanons swarmed the Mega Job Fair held at the ABL Sports Complex here May 10, with some getting hired on the spot, assured of good jobs in Manila and outside the country.

Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores, who along with Governor Marquez and the DOLE conceptualized the Mega Job Fair, said in an interview over the radio that the event was so successful that they are contemplating to hold the same event in the same quarter next year.

According to him, some 57 job seekers were able to get hired yesterday for jobs in Manila and abroad, especially as they have complete papers already, while other applicants were told to wait for texts and phone calls from the employers or organizations they have applied with.

According to Vivian Ruiz-Solano, Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager, the Mega Job Fair had 10,000 job vacancies.

Solano said twenty-one local employers from Manila and 28 recruitment agencies for overseas jobs came to offer jobs to Aklanons.

The job fair was initiated by Aklan’s provincial officials to help Aklanons find much-needed jobs especially during this period of global financial crisis.

Just recently, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo created the Task force on emergency Employment under Executive Order 794 to create emergency employment during the current global recession.

The 7-member task force is chaired by the President herself.

The President said the generation of employment and livelihood opportunities for targeted income groups is part of the country’s best preparation in thwarting the problems brought about by the global economic crisis. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Task Force on emergency employment created

Kalibo, Aklan – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recently created a Presidential Task Force on Emergency Employment under Executive Order No. 794 to create emergency employment during this current global recession.

The 7-member task force is chaired by the President herself with the following members: Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz of the POEA, Administrator Carmelita Dimzon of the OWWA and the presidents of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, the Philippine Cahmber of Commerce and Industry, one organization of recruitment agencies and a representative of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.

The President said the generation of employment and livelihood opportunities for targeted income groups is part of the country’s best preparation in thwarting the problems brought about by the global economic crisis.

In Aklan, the province is preparing for the conduct of a mega job fair here on May 10.

The job fair is being initiated by the Office of Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores, Governor Carlito Marquez and the Magkaisa Foundation with the aim of providing jobs to unemployed Aklanons by literally bringing to their doorsteps employers from Manila who could offer local and overseas jobs.

The mega job fair will be held the whole day of May 10 at the ABL Sports Complex here. The job fair will also be held in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

For its part, DOLE has already started to provide emergency employment to Aklanons through Project TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay Sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers) and Project NARS (Nurses Assigned in Rural Areas).

The DTI, on the other hand, has also opened job opportunities here through its own version of the Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) through strengthening of its price monitoring function by hiring for six months Aklanons assigned to monitor prices of goods in various areas in Aklan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan honors Palarong Pambansa winners

Kalibo, Aklan -- Six Aklanon athletes were honored here by the Provincial Government for winning gold and silver medals in the Palarong Pambansa held from April 27 to May 3, 2009 in Tacloban Leyte.

Of the athletes, two are elementary pupils while four are high school students.

The athletes were feted through a motorcade around Kalibo, then came for a courtesy call to the Governor’s Office. A press conference was also held at the Conference Hall of the Guest House, followed by an awarding program.

A cash incentive of P10,000 each was awarded to athletes who won gold medals while P5,000 each was awarded to those who won silver medals, according to Mary Ann Lopez, Division PESS Supervisor, DepEd-Aklan.

Gold medal winners include Macky Delfin of Ibajay Academy for boxing and Jeselle Panado of Christ the King School for Badminton Elementary.

Two athletes from the Northwestern Visayan Colleges (NVC) – Ramon Leonardo Lomibao and Melquisedec Navejas, were also part of the Volleyball Team of Western Visayas which emerged as overall team champion.

The silver medalists who were also honored include Noriel Pelio of Solido National High School, a boxing athlete; and Mira Mirano, of Banga Elementary School, for chess.

Coaches and trainers of the athletes were also honored and given cash incentives. They include Jacinto Gonzalo, coach, boxing; Jun Montessa, trainer, boxing; and John Panaligan, trainer, badminton Elementary.

No less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo officially opened the Palarong Pambansa in Leyte. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

COMELEC urges ’07 SK voters to register for 2010 elections

Kalibo, Aklan -- Young voters who registered for and voted during the 2007 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections should register again with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to become regular voters.

Lorena Tumbagahan, COMELEC-Kalibo Election Officer, said the previous registration of those who voted during SK elections in 2007 will not be applicable for the 2010 elections, so there is a need for them to avail of the continuing registration now being offered by the COMELEC up to October 31 of this year.

“Students should take advantage of the summer vacation and apply for registration in their respective municipalities so they would be able to vote in the 2010 elections,” Tubagahan said.

Tumbagahan also said those who would be turning 18 on the day of the May 2010 elections are also qualified to register.

COMELEC is urging those who have not yet registered to do so now in order to avoid crowding and long lines during the last day of registration.

After the continuing registration, the COMELEC will be doing other activities in preparation for the 2010 elections, like conducting symposia and trainings for the first-ever automated elections in the country.

COMELEC offices throughout the province are also in the process of “cleansing” their respective voters’ list of those who already died, failed to vote twice and who transferred to other places.

“Cleansing” of the voters’ list of dead persons, however, could only be possible if local civil registrars submit regular lists to COMELEC offices, according to Tumbagahan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan slates mega job fair

Kalibo, Aklan --Job opportunities and job vacancies will be literally brought to the Aklanons’ doorsteps with the holding here May 10 of a Mega Job Fair at the ABL Sports Complex.

The Mega Job Fair, according to Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Vivian Ruiz-Solano, is the result of Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores and Governor Carlito S. Marquez’ tandem to help Aklanons find or avail of jobs locally or abroad.

The job fair is also in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), PESO Office and JobFinder.

Many employers, recruiters and interviewers will be coming here May 10 bringring with them various job orders and vacancies, according to Solano.

Presently, the PESO office has listed 9 establishments/offices which will be accepting applicants for various positions that includes Teledevelopmental Call Center that needs 500 call center agents and 100 technical support representatives; Theorem Global Business Outsourcing Corp. which needs accounting graduates, I.T. graduates, administrative clerks, and office clerks; RSI Philippines, Inc – general accountants, accounting specialists, junior application specialists, account executives, account supervisor, call center agents, systems administrators, IT Manager; Drugcheck Philippines – 10 medical technologists and account executives.

Corporate Workforce Provider Inc. also needs auto mechanic, drivers, delivery salesman, account executives, editors, accounting clerks, baristas, waitress, accounting supervisors and auditors, while Strategy Plus Inc. needs assistant store manager, management trainees, web developers, programmers, auditors and accounting staff. Weekend Review Inc. needs web developers, programmers, auditors, accounting staffs, account executives and editors, while Corporate Medical Check up Specialists, Inc. needs nurses, medical technologists, X-ray technicians and nursing aides.

Telan Law Office needs account executives, collectors, tele-collectors, legal secretary and skip tracers.

More employers and agencies from Metro Manila with job openings are expected to come for the Mega Job Fair.

DOLE, PESO-Aklan and the offices of Rep. Miraflores and Governor Marquez are jointly advising applicants to bring with them plenty of copies of their resumes, pictures, transcript of records and other employment credentials so they could apply with various establishments in the job fair. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklanon students avail of summer jobs from DOLE, provincial government

Kalibo, Aklan -- Two hundred-fifty (250) Aklanon students had been given jobs this summer by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Provincial Government of Aklan under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).

According to Vivian Ruiz-Solano, Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager, the program, also known as Summer Job is jointly financed by the Provincial Government of Aklan and DOLE.

For 22 working days this summer which started April 27 and will end May 27, the “summer jobbers” will be maintaining the province’ Regreening and Beautification Project and will perform other chores in the respective Municipal Public Employment Service Offices.

For years, the provincial government, now under Governor Carlito Marquez, and the municipal mayors of Aklan’s 17 towns, through their designated Municipal PESO managers have been employing poor but deserving students provincewide. This is to give them an opportunity to earn some amount to augment their budget for the opening of classes.

As the program implementer/employer, the Provincial Government pays the students in cash 60% based on the minimum wage while the remaining 40% counterpart will come from the DOLE in the form of a voucher check.

Solano said since its implementation, thousands of Aklanons had been aided by this government program. (PIA/PESO)

Aklan honors Palarong Pambansa winners

Kalibo, Aklan -- Six Aklanon athletes were honored here by the Provincial Government for winning gold and silver medals in the Palarong Pambansa held from April 27 to May 3, 2009 in Tacloban Leyte.

Of the athletes, two are elementary pupils while four are high school students.

The athletes were feted through a motorcade around Kalibo, then came for a courtesy call to the Governor’s Office. A press conference was also held at the Conference Hall of the Guest House, followed by an awarding program.

A cash incentive of P10,000 each was awarded to athletes who won gold medals while P5,000 each was awarded to those who won silver medals, according to Mary Ann Lopez, Division PESS Supervisor, DepEd-Aklan.

Gold medal winners include Macky Delfin of Ibajay Academy for boxing and Jeselle Panado of Christ the King School for Badminton Elementary.

Two athletes from the Northwestern Visayan Colleges (NVC) – Ramon Leonardo Lomibao and Melquisedec Navejas, were also part of the Volleyball Team of Western Visayas which emerged as overall team champion.

The silver medalists who were also honored include Noriel Pelio of Solido National High School, a boxing athlete; and Mira Mirano, of Banga Elementary School, for chess.

Coaches and trainers of the athletes were also honored and given cash incentives. They include Jacinto Gonzalo, coach, boxing; Jun Montessa, trainer, boxing; and John Panaligan, trainer, badminton Elementary.

No less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo officially opened the Palarong Pambansa in Leyte. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

COMELEC urges ’07 SK voters to register for 2010 elections

Kalibo, Aklan -- Young voters who registered for and voted during the 2007 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections should register again with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to become regular voters.

Lorena Tumbagahan, COMELEC-Kalibo Election Officer, said the previous registration of those who voted during SK elections in 2007 will not be applicable for the 2010 elections, so there is a need for them to avail of the continuing registration now being offered by the COMELEC up to October 31 of this year.

“Students should take advantage of the summer vacation and apply for registration in their respective municipalities so they would be able to vote in the 2010 elections,” Tubagahan said.

Tumbagahan also said those who would be turning 18 on the day of the May 2010 elections are also qualified to register.

COMELEC is urging those who have not yet registered to do so now in order to avoid crowding and long lines during the last day of registration.

After the continuing registration, the COMELEC will be doing other activities in preparation for the 2010 elections, like conducting symposia and trainings for the first-ever automated elections in the country.

COMELEC offices throughout the province are also in the process of “cleansing” their respective voters’ list of those who already died, failed to vote twice and who transferred to other places.

“Cleansing” of the voters’ list of dead persons, however, could only be possible if local civil registrars submit regular lists to COMELEC offices, according to Tumbagahan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan slates mega job fair

Kalibo, Aklan --Job opportunities and job vacancies will be literally brought to the Aklanons’ doorsteps with the holding here May 10 of a Mega Job Fair at the ABL Sports Complex.

The Mega Job Fair, according to Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Vivian Ruiz-Solano, is the result of Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores and Governor Carlito S. Marquez’ tandem to help Aklanons find or avail of jobs locally or abroad.

The job fair is also in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), PESO Office and JobFinder.

Many employers, recruiters and interviewers will be coming here May 10 bringring with them various job orders and vacancies, according to Solano.

Presently, the PESO office has listed 9 establishments/offices which will be accepting applicants for various positions that includes Teledevelopmental Call Center that needs 500 call center agents and 100 technical support representatives; Theorem Global Business Outsourcing Corp. which needs accounting graduates, I.T. graduates, administrative clerks, and office clerks; RSI Philippines, Inc – general accountants, accounting specialists, junior application specialists, account executives, account supervisor, call center agents, systems administrators, IT Manager; Drugcheck Philippines – 10 medical technologists and account executives.

Corporate Workforce Provider Inc. also needs auto mechanic, drivers, delivery salesman, account executives, editors, accounting clerks, baristas, waitress, accounting supervisors and auditors, while Strategy Plus Inc. needs assistant store manager, management trainees, web developers, programmers, auditors and accounting staff. Weekend Review Inc. needs web developers, programmers, auditors, accounting staffs, account executives and editors, while Corporate Medical Check up Specialists, Inc. needs nurses, medical technologists, X-ray technicians and nursing aides.

Telan Law Office needs account executives, collectors, tele-collectors, legal secretary and skip tracers.

More employers and agencies from Metro Manila with job openings are expected to come for the Mega Job Fair.

DOLE, PESO-Aklan and the offices of Rep. Miraflores and Governor Marquez are jointly advising applicants to bring with them plenty of copies of their resumes, pictures, transcript of records and other employment credentials so they could apply with various establishments in the job fair. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklanon students avail of summer jobs from DOLE, provincial government

Kalibo, Aklan -- Two hundred-fifty (250) Aklanon students had been given jobs this summer by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Provincial Government of Aklan under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).

According to Vivian Ruiz-Solano, Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager, the program, also known as Summer Job is jointly financed by the Provincial Government of Aklan and DOLE.

For 22 working days this summer which started April 27 and will end May 27, the “summer jobbers” will be maintaining the province’ Regreening and Beautification Project and will perform other chores in the respective Municipal Public Employment Service Offices.

For years, the provincial government, now under Governor Carlito Marquez, and the municipal mayors of Aklan’s 17 towns, through their designated Municipal PESO managers have been employing poor but deserving students provincewide. This is to give them an opportunity to earn some amount to augment their budget for the opening of classes.

As the program implementer/employer, the Provincial Government pays the students in cash 60% based on the minimum wage while the remaining 40% counterpart will come from the DOLE in the form of a voucher check.

Solano said since its implementation, thousands of Aklanons had been aided by this government program. (PIA/PESO)

Need for municipal vets further felt with emergence of flu, other swine diseases

Kalibo, Aklan -- The emergence of swine flu in Mexico, US and Canada and other parts of the world which has caused deaths in humans all the more emphasized the need for Aklan to have its municipalities its respective appointed Municipal Veterinarian.

Even as Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Gervase Radislao stressed that the Philippines is swine-flu – free and the national government is doing its best to prevent the entry of the disease in the country, he said there is a need for a sustained monitoring of animal diseases in the farms in barangays and municipalities and the most qualified person who can do it is a licensed veterinarian.

“Even before swine flu, many diseases had been attacking hogs, like foot and mouth disease, rentovirus, cholera and other maladies that also affect the economy of the country, and the livelihood of the people,”

Radislao said most rural folks in rural areas tend hogs in their backyards which literally serve as their “piggy bank”.

He also said that due to the mutation of viruses that attack pigs, it becomes harder and harder to come up with the proper medicines to stop the animals’ diseases.

“Here in the province, people only come to our office to ask our help when their animals are already sick, and not before when diseases could be prevented,” Radislao said.

According to him, if there are municipal veterinarians in municipalities, farmers from far towns need not spend much money to report cases of illnesses of their animals in the the Provincial Veterinarian’s Office.

Radislao called on Aklanons to be vigilant against this new swine disease that emerged in western countries, saying that Aklan, as a leading tourist destination, is vulnerable with the landing of international flights, the presence of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) and other seaports in the province.

Although he emphasized that swine flu could not be transmitted by eating meat especially if well-cooked, he called on everyone to refrain from bringing in food or “baon” when going around the province for safe measures.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) assured that the swine influenza that has affected Mexico, the U.S. and Canada has not broken through the country.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap reiterated that there is no swine influenza outbreak in the Philippines, and eating pork is safe. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan signs MOA with foundation to pump-prime province’ economy

Kalibo, Aklan -- The provincial government of Aklan, through Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with AYN Foundation involving P500 million worth of tourism-related projects in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan.

In a radio interview over station DYRU here, Governor Marquez said the move was part of the province’s pump-priming activities to provide jobs and livelihood opportunities to Aklanons.

Based on the master plan, Governor Marquez said the project involves the reclamation of some 2.6 hectares of land in Caticlan, Malay where facilities like a wellness center, a hospital and a commercial complex will be constructed upon.

“The commercial complex will contain offices of airlines, travel agencies and banks, which will be for lease,” Governor Marquez said.

The operation of cable cars is also seen as a possibility that will complement the project.

The project will be implemented through bond flotation.

In his January 2009 State of the Province Address (SOPA), Govenor Marquez described the Health and Wellness Center is a welcome complement to the government’s thrust in attracting 700,000 foreign and medical clients annually which hopes to achieve P1 billion revenues.

“This is a new market apart from the recreational tourists who visit Boracay on a regular basis. With this development, the province will be attracting two distinct markets of equal number and value in the same location,” Marquez said then in his SOPA.

Other plans Marquez revealed to further boost Aklan’s tourism industry include the development of shorelines along Malay and Buruanga, putting up an Oceanarium in Boracay and the improvement of the hospital in the island.

The hospital will have a P10 million budget, according to Marquez. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan enforces strong quarantine measures to prevent swine flu entry

Kalibo, Aklan -- Strict quarantine measures are being enforced by the Provincial Government of Aklan through the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET) here to prevent the entry and spread of the dreaded swine flu which has gripped Mexico and the US.

Dr. Gervase Radislao, Provincial Veterinarian, said the province’ quarantine sections, located at the Kalibo Airport, Caticlan Jetty Port, Dumaguit Port and other points of entry are now strictly monitoring livestock brought to the province and ensuring that these come with complete papers.

“We are being extra careful with the entry of livestock, poultry or meat products in Aklan, considering that Aklan, because of Boracay, is a prime tourist destination and is already served by international flights,” Dr. Radislao said.

Dr. Radislao said his office has already received a phoned directive from the Department of Agriculture Regional Office 6 that there is now a total ban of livestock, poultry and other meat products from the US, Mexico and New Zealand.

Although the Philippines is still free from the swine flu, Dr. Radislao advised Aklanons to cook their pork meat well before eating, and in the case of hog raisers – to use strict bio-security measures, regulate entry of people visiting their piggeries as well as those coming from other piggeries.

Properly cooking pork meat before eating was also advised by Governor Marquez over a radio station here to Aklanons to avoid swine flu.

The national government is taking all necessary precautions against swine flu. At the same time, it has assured consumers that swine flu is not transferred to humans by means of eating pork.

Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde said in a radio interview that Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has already mobilized the Bureau of Animal Industry to closely monitor all animal and animal product importations from these countries.

The DA, Remonde said, is stocking up vaccines and whatever is necessary for ready use just in case swine flu finds its ways into the Philippines. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan gives out more than P1.2 M in cash prizes for re-greening, beautification project

Kalibo, Aklan -- A total of P1,225,000 in cash prizes was given out by the Provincial Government of Aklan to winners of its Re-Greening and Beautification Project.

The awarding of prizes to winners was one of the highlights of Aklan’s 53rd anniversary celebration as a separate province from Capiz during its commemorative program April 25 held at the ABL Sports Complex.

Barangays which were adjudged big winners in the contest include Linayasan in Altavas (Eastern Side) and Tagas, Tangalan (Western Side) which both won first prize, getting P100,000 each; Barangays Calizo, Balete (Eastern Side) and Sta. Cruz, Bigaa (Western Side); second prize, P75,000 each; and Fulgencio, Balete (Eastern) and Dongon West, Numancia (Western), third prize,P50,000 each.

For Residential entries, winners in the Eastern Side were Mateo Soncuya Jr. of Libas, Banga, first prize, P30,000; Clarita C. Fernandez, Pook, Kalibo, second, P20,000; and Remedios C. Gammad, Pook, Kalibo, third, P10,000.

For the Western Side, residential entry winners were Leaflor C. Pingoy of Buenasuerte, Nabas, first prize, P30,000; Zenaida C. Cesar, Gibon, Nabas, P20,000; and Gerry A. Revestir of Sta. Cruz, Lezo, third, P10,000.00.

Special awards were also given to some best performing barangays. From the Western side, awardees include Poblacion Malinao, adjudged Best Rock Artworks Landscape; Jawili, Tangalan, Best in Brgy. Mobilization and People’s Participation; Panayakan, Tangalan, Best in Thematic Design; Laguinbanua East, Numancia, Most Diversified Plant Landscape; and Bagongbayan, buruanga, Best in Indigenous landscape. These awardees received P10,000 each.

For Residential Category Western Side, awardees who received P5,000 each were Godelyn A. Lambito of Toledo, Nabas, Best in Artisitic Design; Bobby Tauna, Sambiray, Malay, Best in Variety of Plants, Iris Joligon, Tabangka, Numancia, Best in Ecological Landscape, and Blas Amacio of Poblacion Nabas, Best in Aesthetic Design.

For the Eastern Side, the only barangay with a special award was Polo, New Washington which was adjudged Best in Innovative Partnership Concept which received P10,000.

On the other hand, residential category winners were John Kenneth Traje of Tambak, New Washington, Most Promising Landscape Entrepreneur; Henry Panado of Cabugao, Altavas,, Best In Integrated Gardening Approach; Piedad M. Castillo of Tabayon, Banga, Best in Ecological Landscape, and Guillermo Mamay of Feliciano, Balete, Best in Aestheic Design. These special awardees received P5,000 each.

Municipal Awardees were also chosen. For the Eastern Side, Balete was adjudged Best In Barangay Mobilization and Award Performance while the Municipality of Tangalan for the Western Side was Best in Barangay Mobilization and Performance. These 2 municipalities got P50,000 each.

Aklan’s remaining 15 municipalities which joined the contest were also awarded P30,000 each.

The contest was launched by the Provincial Government of Aklan headed by Governor Carlito Marquez November of last year to rehabilitate and re-green the roadsides with flowering and ornamental plants along the road network of the province composing the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) which was destroyed by Typhoon Frank. The project was also aimed to be another tourist attraction in the province for tourist and visitors passing the SRNH.

The awards were handed.out to winners by Governor Marquez, Presidental Assistant for the Visayas Raul Banias who was the commemorative program’s guest speaker, and Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Be vigilant against fixers, CSC tells public

Kalibo, Aklan -- The public should exercise vigilance against fixers and must report at once to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Civil Service Commission if there are cases of fixing that they know of in government offices.

Evelyn Ejar, Director II of the CSC Field Office here gave this advice to the public with the government’s aggressive implementation of the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA).

Ejar said offices should post ‘warning to fixers’ sign, and called on the public to call the hotlines provided in the warning in instances of fixers’ presence in government offices.

“In this time of financial crisis, fixing should be eradicated. Government employees should refrain from doing this practice as we have salaries and it is our job to serve the public”, Ejar said.

Ejar said however, that ‘fixing’ is not totally confined to government employees but to private individuals as well.

Ejar said to better serve the public and for the smooth implementation of ARTA, signatories in business transactions should be lessened to save time, employees should not act slow in their transactions with clients, and requirements should be minimal so as not to delay documents.

Ejar also said offices should display list of frontline services so the public will know what services the offices are offering.

The setting up of one-stop shops in offices is also advised by the CSC so people will take shorter time to process their papers.

In Aklan, Ejar said the only municipality with a One Stop Shop is Kalibo. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

ASU, provincial gov’t of Aklan sign MOA for sports complex construction

Kalibo, Aklan -- A Memorandum of Agreement was recently signed between the Provincial Government of Aklan and Aklan State University (ASU) for the construction, development and operation of Aklan Sports Complex located in Calangcang, Makato, Aklan.

Under the MOA, ASU will be providing the 6.5 hectares of land in Calangcang while the province will be sourcing the funds for the construction of the sports complex.

According to Engr. Victory Fernandez, Provincial Engineer and Chairperson of the Technical Working Group of the project, a track and field oval, an Olympic size swimming pool and other sports facilities will be constructed on the lot.

The MOA was signed by Governor Carlito Marquez representing the province while Dr. Benny Palma, ASU President represented ASU in the signing with Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo and Dr. Eleanor T. Mationg as witnesses.

Governor Carlito Marquez said the MOA-signing was a very historic occasion because it has far-reaching implications for the Aklanon youth. He thanked the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan for providing legislative support to the project, allowing him to enter into a MOA with ASU. He also thanked ASU for providing the site for the project.

“Let us now roll up our sleeves and start the construction”, Governor Marquez said, and enjoined Engr. Fernandez to beat the December 2009 deadline, “because the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet flag had already been turned-over to Aklan.

Gov. Marquez was referring to Aklan’s hosting of the WVRAA Meet in 2010, its turn to host after 15 years.

For his part, ASU President Benny Palma expressed his gratitude to Gov. Marquez, to Vice Governor Calizo, the SP and the officers of ASU for hammering out the MOA “so our dream to have Aklan Sports Complex is born today”.

“The Sports Complex is not only for the development of a physically-sound mind and body but the development of the youth academically and the the development of athletes,” Dr. Palma said.

Also present during the MOA signing were Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, department heads and the local media. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

CAFGUs, Army personnel donated blood to PNRC

Kalibo, Aklan –Forty-two enlisted personnel and Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Axillaries (CAAs) of 12th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army based in Camp Jizmundo, Libas, Banga, Aklan recently donated some 18,000 ml of assorted blood types to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) here.

The bloodletting activity, dubbed “Let Us Save Lives …Donate Blood”, according to 1Lt. Claire R. Aure of the Philippine Army, was held at the Battalion Headquarters.

The activity was held in cooperation with PNRC-Aklan, 601st Community Defense Center, 6th Regional Community Defense Group, Army Reserve Command and 3rd Civil Military Unit, Civil Military Operation Group, Philippine Army.

LTC Nicolas V. Pasion, the Philippine Army Commander of the 12th Infantry Battalion (CAFGU) spearheaded the activity, telling his men that “the most priceless gift we could share to our fellow is our clean blood thus, every drop of our blood could save lives, that is why I encourage you to donate your precious blood especially to the needy”.

The activity was supported by reservist doctors, MSg Beatriz Y. Diel and MSg Emily S. Zonio of the 601st CDC.

The PNRC-Aklan Chapter, on the other hand, was led by Melanie Rojo, who, together with her six companions, lauded the Philippine Army for the gesture.

Rojo said the donated blood at this time will be very precious because the present supply at the PNRC is very limited especially during summer, since most blood donors, are students from the university and colleges here. (PIA/PA)

Aklan COMELEC offices start “cleansing” of voters’ list

Kalibo, Aklan -- All municipal offices of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Aklan are now in the process of “cleansing” their respective voters’ list.

According to Carlito Dionela, Election Registrar of COMELEC-Batan, through “cleansing”, deceased persons, those who failed to vote twice, and those who have transferred to other towns, cities or provinces, are removed from the list.

“In 2007 elections alone when two elections were held in a year, many could be removed from the list – if they were unable to vote in the two consecutive elections,” Dionela said

The “cleansing” of voters’ list, according to Dionela, will affect the number of voters in a certain area.

“The number of voters would either increase or decrease”, Dionela said.

In Aklan, municipalities with big number of voters include Kalibo, Ibajay, New Washington, Banga, Malay and Batan.

Relatedly, Kalibo’s Election Officer Lorena Tumbagahan corrected her office’ earlier pronouncement on the last day of filing applications for registration for the May 2010 elections.

According to her, the continuing registration of voters will actually end October 31 of this year and not October 15 as announced earlier. She reminded those who are planning to register to file their applications early, so there would be no long lines during the last day of registration at COMELEC offices.

Dionela also once served as Kalibo’s Election Registrar before his assignment in Batan.

Just recently, Malacanang emphasized that it is now focusing on three areas – jobs creation, economic meltdown mitigation and preparation for peaceful and credible elections in May 2010. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

DTI strengthens price monitoring activities through CLEEP

Kalibo, Aklan -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here is further strengthening its price monitoring activities through the implementation of Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).

DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena Jr. said, that under this scheme, the DTI will deploy to various parts of the province job hirees of the agency to conduct monitoring of prices of basic and prime commodities under its jurisdiction.

“They will conduct price monitoring for 3 to 6 months to augment DTI’s price monitoring force. At the same time, the agency will be providing employment opportunities to Aklanons”, Director Cadena said.

PD Cadena said this program will be implemented nationwide, with Western Visayas getting 30 slots. Aklan will have 4 temporary job hirees while the rest of the slots will be shared by Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Antique and Guimaras.

The price monitoring activity will be a way to know the real situation as far the the price of basic goods and commodities is concerned, especially in this period of global financial crisis, according to the DTI Provincial Director.

The result of the price monitoring activity, which will have a weekly consolidated result, will be open to the public, Cadena assured.

Recently when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visited Aklan, she stressed that the government is focusing more on job creation and ensuring low price of goods to help address the global financial crisis affecting the Filipinos. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

“Project NARS’ benefits 72 Aklanons

Kalibo, Aklan -- Seventy-two (72) Aklanon nurses had been selected for the government’s “Project NARS” program here.

NARS, which means Nurse Assigned in Rural Areas, involves the hiring of nurses who are currently unemployed by the national government. Under the program, the hired nurses will be assigned in rural health units and provincial and district hospitals in their areas.

DOLE-Aklan Provincial Head Joselito De La Banda said that these nurses will receive a stipend of P8,000.00 a month from DOLE. The program is open, however, for local government units which may contribute a monthly stipend counterpart for these nurses serving in their areas.

Earlier, the proposed counterpart amount was announced at P2,000 to make the total stipend of these nurses reach P10,000 a month.

De La Banda said that currently, commitments from local chief executives are still being awaited for this arrangement, if they are willing.

The DOLE Provincial Head said that these nurses have already gone to their respective assignments. One half of the figure will be serving rural health units in the province, while the other half will be serving 3 hospitals here – the Dr. Rafael s. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH), Ibajay District Hospital and Altavas District Hospital.

After 6 months of rendering their services, these nurses will be issued Certificates of Competencies, which they could use to apply for work locally or abroad, according to De La Banda.

De La Banda also revealed that most of these nurses are young or in their twenties, even as the age limit was placed at 34.

DOLE-Aklan expressed optimism that the “NARS” project will have another batch, to benefit more Aklanon nurses. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

DOLE starts fund releases for Project “TUPAD”

Kalibo, Aklan – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here has started releasing funds to municipalities which are beneficiaries of Project “TUPAD” in Aklan.

“TUPAD”, according to DOLE-Aklan Provincial Head Joselito Dela Banda, means Tulong Pang-hanapbuhay Sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers. Under this program, 3 identified towns in Aklan – Madalag, Balete and Libacao will get funds from DOLE which will be paid to workers hired by the towns in their localities to do certain identified and much-needed jobs in their areas.

De La Banda said Madalag will receive P176,000; Balete, P176,000; and Libacao, P198,000.

Fifty beneficiaries each from these towns will be selected for the program.

The selection of the three towns as beneficiaries of the program was based on the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) 6’ assessment.

DOLE is currently implementing various programs to help generate employment as well as to assist Filipinos who have lost jobs due to the global financial crisis in the country and abroad.

Just recently, DOLE announced that it has found jobs for some of the 137 Filipino bus drivers recruited by a legitimately licensed local placement agency for allegedly high paying but non-existent jobs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In a radio interview, Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde said Labor Secretary Marianito Roque informed him that DOLE has found jobs in Qatar for many of the stranded bus drivers.

President Arroyo earlier directed Roque to attend to the problems of the duped drivers stranded in Dubai, including their accommodations and sustenance, as well as their return to Manila if they can find no jobs in the Middle East. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Awarding of outstanding Aklanons, re-greening and vegetable productivity contest to highlight Aklan Day

Kalibo, Aklan -- The 53rd anniversary celebration of Aklan as a separate province from Capiz this April 25 will be highlighted with awarding of outstanding Aklanons who have excelled in their various fields of endeavor.

According to Dr. Reinalda Magdaluyo, chairperson of the selection committee, there are 11 awardees this year – with two as posthumous. To be given posthumous awards are Lolito Sta. Maria Tumbokon and Atty. Amelia A. Zafra. The other awardees are Manuel Arac, Government Service; Ellen b. Dioso, Nursing; Teodorico T. Haresco, Jr. – Business; Alberto R. Quimpo, Public Service; Remo T. Alindato, Labor Law Practice; Pedro Ike I. Inserto, Military, Edsel T. Custodio, Foreign Service, Jonathan R. Salvador, Science and Technology; and Nilda B. Tambong, Doctor of Medicine.

Winners of the province’ first-ever Re-greening and Beautification Contest will also be awarded. To be awarded too during the Commemorative Program are the winners of the 2008 Vegetable Productivity Contest.

Other activities to be held to give more color to the province’ anniversary celebration include the concert of Matt Monroe Jr. at the ABL Sports Complex on April 18, 10th Aklan Pina & Fiber Festival, Garden and Agro-Industrial Trade Fair & Tsibugan Sa Kapitolyo, Aninag Fashion Show, Dog Show and Civic and Military Parade, among others.

The celebration will have nightly entertainment activities at the Goding Ramos Park from April 20-26.

As of this time, Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez said the province is still scouting for guest speaker during the commemorative program. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan’s re-greening, beautification project beneficial to environment, people

Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan’s re-greening and beautification project not only became beneficial to the environment but also to the people, according to one of the evaluators tasked to assess the progress of the program in the municipalities.

The Re-greening and Beautification project was launched here last year by Governor Carlito Marquez with the aim of rehabilitating and beautifying the roadsides of the province which were destroyed by Typhoon Frank, which felled trees and ornamental plants along the national highway from Caticlan, Malay to Aklan’s provincial boundary in Cabangila, Altavas, and at interior municipalities like Lezo, Malinao, Madalag, Libacao and Buruanga.

Derlito Rico of DENR-Aklan, team leader of the group evaluating the progress of the project said the re-greening/beautification program is benefiting the environment because the plants now thriving along the roadsides help arrest carbon dioxide and purify the air.

“The aesthetic value of the project has emerged too. The flowering plants help direct traffic. People also thought of planting vegetables along the roadsides together with flowering plants, so the solution to food security is also being addressed by the program,” Rico said.

In the course of their project assessment and judging, the evaluators also marveled at the creativity of some town residents. In Malinao town, according to Rico, residents fashioned their roadsides into rock gardens, prompting the evaluators to encourage them to sustain the strategy so their municipality could become the “rock garden” capital of Aklan and become another tourist attraction of the province.

Providing pleasant roadside sceneries to tourists and visitors was one of the main goals of the project, which was conceived by the provincial government.

Now on its final stage of evaluation, awarding of winners of the contest will be held on Aklan Day, April 25.

Winners in the barangay level for the eastern and western part of Aklan will get P100,000 each as first prize, P75,000, second price, and P50,000 for 3rd prize. Residential winners (those who entered their residences in the contest) from the eastern and western side will each get P30,000 for 1st prize; P20,000 for second prize and P10,000 for 3rd prize.

The contest evaluators as well as the local leaders and residents expressed optimism that the program will be sustained as it has brought positive changes in the countryside as well as in the attitudes of the Aklanons who now take greening and beautifying the environment seriously. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan yields 29 passers of DOST-SEI scholarship

Kalibo, Aklan -- Twenty-nine young Aklanons form part of the country’s lucky passers of this year’s Science and Technology Undergraduate scholarships offered by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI).

These graduating high school students came from various schools in the province and from the Philippine Science High School. Most passers are products of public high schools.

Based on the examination report released by the DOST here, 10 passers came from the Regional Science High School for Region 6; 5 from Philippine Science High School; 3 from Fr. Julian C. Rago Memorial National High School; 2 came from Buruanga Vocational School; 2 from Tangalan National High School; and 1 each from Melchor Memorial School in Ibajay, Maloco National High School in Ibajay, St. Gabriel College, Aklan National School, Bay-ang Magpag-ong National High School, Daja Sur National High School and Aklan Valley High School.

The passers from RSHS are Ryan M. Bantillo, Bobby Fragata, Jr.,, Froilan Ibadlit, Briar Rose Iquina, Jio Isturis, Justine Marie Lagunday, Christian Rey Lao, Rex Salvador Tenazas, Rea Verone Tolentino and Rachel Ann Yaris; PSHS – Luarence Ray Arceno, Roy Menez, Mel Vincent Oliva, Maja Safra Peralta and Ma. Zarina Mae Yamog; Fr. Julian c Rago Memorial National High School – Realyn De Juan, Cynthia Mano and Arjay Villanueva; Buruanga VS – Joy Alexis Albao and Patrick Earl Prado; Tangalan NHS – Rizel Benavidez and Sarah Mae Suajico; Melchor Memorial School – Edwin John bongabong; Maloco NHS- John Virgel Maglunob; SGC- Rushelle Rigodon; Altavas NS- Sarah Jane Siscar; Bay-ang Magpag-ong NHS – Stephen Joy Sauza; Daja Sur NHS- Myla Rocio, and Aklan Valley HS – Mareenette Patdu.

As DOST-SEI scholars, these young Aklanons shall enroll in any of the state universities and colleges or tertiary institutions identified as CHED Centers of Excellence/Centers of Development.

Their privileges include tuition and other school fees not to exceed P6,000 per semester; allowance for prescribed textbooks and essential school supplies at P5,000/academic year; outright grant for prescribed Military Science/Physical Education Uniform of P500.00 for first semester of first year only; free transportation for one economy class round trip fare between permanent residence and place of study on reimbursement basis for those studying outside of home province; monthly living allowance for a 10-11 month duration (for those seeking Physics, Physics Teaching courses , a monthly living allowance of P4,000; for those who will pursue other DOST-SEI priority courses – P3,000 monthly); group health accident insurance, additional privileges during summer if required in the curriculum such as monthly living allowance during the period, tuition and other school fees not to exceed P1,500; actual purchase of textbooks and school supplies not to exceed P500.00 and post graduation clothing allowance of P1,800.00.

Under the scholarship, these passers, who have high aptitude in science and mathematics, will be enrolling in BS degree programs like Agriculture, Agricultural Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemistry Teaching; Computer Engineering and many other specialized science courses. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)