Respect, revere our flag, Aklan governor tells government employees

Kalibo, Aklan -- The Philippine Flag is the embodiment of all our country's ideals, culture and tradition, so everyone must give respect and reverence to our symbol of national sovereignty and solidarity, Aklan governor Carlito S. Marquez said to hundreds of government employees who attended today the province' launching of the "Paggalang Sa Watawat" campaign at the Provincial Capitol grounds here.

The launching was led by Governor Marquez and Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo, and joined by Provincial Capitol department heads and employees, heads and employees of national government agencies, and judiciary officials and employees from the nearby Regional Trial Court.

Governor Marquez further told all present to display the flag in their offices year round and not just during the period from May 28 to June 12 as mandated by Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

The Republic Act calls on all offices, agencies and instrumentalities of government, business establishments, schools and private homes to display the Philippine flag throughout the period.

"The flag is a symbol of reverence, respect, patriotism, courage and valor of our forebears who offered their lives in defense of our country", Governor Marquez said.

Governor Marquez also said that due to economic hardships, respect of the Philippine flag has seemingly been forgotten by some, even the custom of kissing the hands of elders by children, and so the launching serves to remind everybody of the flag's significance.

"As we celebrate the "Paggalang Sa Watawat" campaign, let us have unity and cooperation in our hearts not just as individuals but as public servants. Service to the people must be strengthened, because public service is public trust", Governor Marquez emphasized.

The launching in Aklan consisted of an opening prayer, singing of the Pambansang Awit, recitation of the Panunumpa sa Watawat and Panatang Makabayan, and delivery of messages from Governor Marquez and from Ms. Evelyn N. Ejar, Civil Service-Aklan Director II.

Theme of this year's launching is "Igalang ang Ating Watawat, Sa Isip, Sa Salita at Sa Gawa". (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Govt. officials, employees should be first to respect our flag – CSC

Kalibo, Aklan –As government officials and employees, we are expected to be the first na "Gumalang Sa Ating Watawat".

These words came from Director Evelyn N. Ejar of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) here when she delivered a message after the flag ceremony held here today at the Provincial Capitol Grounds to launch the "Paggalang Sa Watawat" campaign, attended by Aklan's provincial officials led by Gov. Carlito Marquez and Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo, Provincial Capitol department heads and employees, national government agencies heads and staff and officials and employees of the judiciary from the Goding P. Ramos Hall of Justice (RTC).

Governor Marquez himself delivered a short message after the flag-raising.

Ejar said the campaign aims to promote public awareness of good citizenship values such as love of country, respect for the flag and the elderly, patriotism and nationalism.

"We might belong to different offices from the national government agencies, local government units, Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations, State Universities and Colleges, from the private sector; we have different religions, different positions, different values, different opinions and beliefs yet one of the things that we have in common is we are all subject to the same laws as government officials and employees," Ejar said.

One of these, according to her, is RA 6713 – Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

"Section 4 is the Norms of Conduct for all of us, namely commitment to public interest, professionalism, justness and sincerity, political neutrality, responsiveness to the public, commitment to democracy, simple living and nationalism and patriotism that fits the activity today," she told those present.

Ejar said that in nationalism and patriotism, public officials and employees shall at all times be loyal to the Republic and to the Filipino people, promote the use of locally-produced goods, resources and technology, encourage appreciation and pride of country and people, and maintain and defend Philippine Sovereignty against foreign intrusions.

"Ours is not a perfect society, yet, we have to be proud that we are Filipinos, we have one country, the Philippines, we have to be proud of our flag and anthem – that we belong 'sa isang bansa na may isang diwa at isang lahi'. Every time we sing our National Anthem let us always remember and thank God that we are Filipinos and are very lucky to be one," Ejar said.

The launching here today of the "Paggalang Sa Watawat" campaign is mandated under the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, also known as Republic Act 8491 stipulating that every year, May 28 (National Flag Day) to June 12 (Independence Day), all offices, agencies and instrumentalities of government, business establishments, schools, and private homes are enjoined to display the Philippine flag throughout this period and hopefully throughout the year.

In his memorandum to all municipal mayors, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of government, business establishments and schools enjoining them to join the campaign launch, Governor Marquez said the activity is to give respect and reverence to the symbol of national sovereignty and solidarity, the Philippine flag.

"Igalang Ang Ating Watawat Sa Isip, sa Salita at sa Gawa" is the theme of this year's Paggalang Sa Watawat campaign. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan State U not increasing tuition fees

Kalibo, Aklan -- The only state university in the province, Aklan State University (ASU), is not increasing its tuition fees this school year.

This was announced by high-ranking officials of the university, who revealed that the school had its tuition fee increase in 2005 yet.

The state university, with its main campus in Banga, has other campuses located in Kalibo, Ibajay, New Washington and Makato, specializing in various courses.

Dr. Edilberto Solidum, ASU Main Campus Director of Students Affairs said enrolment at different university campuses is ongoing on a staggered basis, but the university is contemplating to conduct walk-in examinations, noting that a big number of incoming freshmen students have shown interest in enrolling in the state school.

"Courses most favored by incoming students to take this year appear to be related to computer science, like Information Management, Information Technology; and Nursing and Home Technology", Dr. Solidum revealed.

Despite this, Dr. Solidum revealed that enrollment in agriculture courses in the university is still high as compared with those in other state-run agricultural schools. The government recently called on state universities to help in food production and avert hunger by devoting their vacant lots to rice and other agricultural crops.

Dr. Solidum also said many students are interested to take up nursing course at ASU because tuition fees are almost a half less than those charged by private schools.

"We cannot accommodate them all, however, as the university's facilities, classrooms and teachers are currently not enough", Dr. Solidum said.

Just recently, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo directed the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to freeze all tuition fee increases in the 110 state-run colleges and universities nationwide to help students and parents cope with the global rise in oil and food prices

The President issued her directive at the start of the command conference with education officials and Oplan Balik Eskkwela partners May 26 at the DepEd Central Office in Pasig City.

She also appealed to private colleges and universities to consider and freeze plans to hike tuition and other school charges, in the meantime.

The President said the freeze on tuition fees would greatly help ease the financial burden of students and their parents. At present, parents are spending an average of P450 per unit, or about P10,000 per school year for their children taking a 21-unit load in college.

The Chief Executive said shelving tuition fee increases in SUCs and private institutions of learning would also help reduce the college dropout rate and set off an environment conducive to quality tertiary education for all. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan prov'l government mulls hog-raising venture

Kalibo, Aklan -- The provincial government of Aklan is mulling to embark on hog-raising to help meet the supply of pork in the province.

Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez raised this possibility during the recent Local Price Coordination Council (LPCC) meeting here in response to concerns raised by some food processors here that there is a low supply of pork in the province.

A leading food processor here is said to be hesitant to avail of financial assistance from the government as it is not assured of a steady supply of raw meat.

According to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) here, Aklan currently lacks supply of hogs for slaughter. Buyers are said to be sourcing their supply from Capiz backyards. Based on household interviews, BAS revealed that Aklanons currently raised pigs for fiestas.

The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET) here bared that Aklan is not operating big piggeries anymore, due to high prices of feeds.

Presently, the province is focusing on livestock production at Tina, Makato, with on-going pasture and forage production, large and small ruminant production, cattle fattening and production, and goat upgrading programs.

The OPVET said the site in Makato is also ideal for hog production. The provincial government through OPVET is currently implementing a swine dispersal program on a rollover scheme among provincial employees.

To help in this concern, council members urged the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist to request Municipal Agricultural Officers (MAOs) all over the province to encourage swine production in their areas.

Governor Marquez, for his part, said the low supply of pork meat might have been caused by the high demand of processed meat products in the market, noting that some companies have branches that have sprouted in the region and even in Manila.

He advised these food processors to operate a piggery too to have a sure supply of pork for their business needs. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PCL regional prexy favors CARP extension

Kalibo, Aklan --The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) is a one of the social justice projects of the 1987 Constitution and as a social justice program – the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) was able to address the inequality of Philippine Society.

This is according to Atty. Willbert Ariel Igoy, president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) in Region 6.

"After 20 years, we saw the effectiveness of the program – CARP's land distribution is not yet 100% complete, and assistance has to be provided still to CARP beneficiaries in the form of technical, infrastructure and financial assistance," Igoy said, who, at the time of the interview was OIC-Mayor of Malinao town. Igoy, as one of Malinao's elected Sangguniang Bayan Member also sits in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) as ex-officio member having been elected as PCL provincial president.

In praising CARP, Igoy cited the improvements the program brought to his town.

According to him, before the arrival of CARP in his area, Malinao is the dead-end of Aklan in that part of the province. After the construction of the Timbaban Bridge, however, linking Malinao to Madalag, their town is no longer the dead-end.

"Transportation from Kalibo to Malinao and Madalag became easy. DAR organized the Fatima Agrarian Reform Community (ARC), irrigation, farm-to-market roads were constructed making it easier for farmer-beneficiaries to bring their products to the markets", Atty. Igoy said.

Being in favor of CARP extension, Atty. Igoy said he is one of the co-authors of an SP resolution requesting Congress to extend the program of CARP for another five years.

"Food security is the number 1 concern of Malinao. The technology on food production brought by DAR through CARP is a big help to us. The non-extension of CARP will be a big loss to us. Besides, CARP is not only land distribution, but assistance. After receiving land titles,DAR's programs are still needed.

In Malinao, CARP beneficiaries, the likes of Vicente Nicor, Delia Renacido, Caridad Roberto and countless others are all for the extension of CARP.

"CARP has helped us a lot. We have sent our children to college, we had better income, and we learned much technology from the seminars and lectures we have attended through CARP. We will all be saddened if CARP will not be extended", they said. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan governor see need to monitor rice outflow; to issue executive order soon

Kalibo, Aklan -- There is a need to monitor the outflow of rice from Aklan, to assure constituents of enough supply in the coming lean months.

This need was expressed himself by Governor Carlito Marquez here during the meeting of the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC), prompting him to request the council of passing a resolution so he can issue an executive order for the creation of a task force to monitor the movement of rice and to regulate its outflow from the province.

The National Food Authority (NFA) and the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) assured the council here that Aklan presently has enough rice, however, due to typhoons which affected some provinces which might render them to be short of the staple, the group felt the need to implement this measure to protect Aklan's supply.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), council secretariat, has assured that the resolution would be out this week.

The LPCC here is composed of members coming from national and provincial offices like the Department of Trade and Industry, National Food Authority, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Coconut Authority, Provincial Health Office, Department of Health, Philippine National Police, Land Transportation Office, Department of Justice, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Philippine Information Agency and from the manufacturing, consumer, retail and producer sectors. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan governor see need to monitor rice outflow; to issue executive order soon

Kalibo, Aklan -- There is a need to monitor the outflow of rice from Aklan, to assure constituents of enough supply in the coming lean months.

This need was expressed himself by Governor Carlito Marquez here during the meeting of the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC), prompting him to request the council of passing a resolution so he can issue an executive order for the creation of a task force to monitor the movement of rice and to regulate its outflow from the province.

The National Food Authority (NFA) and the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) assured the council here that Aklan presently has enough rice, however, due to typhoons which affected some provinces which might render them to be short of the staple, the group felt the need to implement this measure to protect Aklan's supply.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), council secretariat, has assured that the resolution would be out this week.

The LPCC here is composed of members coming from national and provincial offices like the Department of Trade and Industry, National Food Authority, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Coconut Authority, Provincial Health Office, Department of Health, Philippine National Police, Land Transportation Office, Department of Justice, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Philippine Information Agency and from the manufacturing, consumer, retail and producer sectors. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Two Aklan schools welcome LEP enrollees

Kalibo, Aklan -- Two Aklan schools offering Ladderized Education Program (LEP) need enrollees this school year who will enjoy free tuition fee for the first semester.

These schools, according to Ely Arensol, Technical Education and Skills Development Specialist of TESDA here, these schools are the Panay Technological College (PTC) and the Aklan Polytechnic College (APC).

Under the Ladderized Education Program, a student enrolled in school taking for instance a Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) course will enjoy free tuition for one semester. After the first semester obtaining qualification (bartender, food and beverage etc.), he or she can get an assessment from TESDA and will be issued a National Certification (NC II) if he passes. The student can already apply for a job according to his/her qualification in the country or abroad, or continue studying.

The government offer enables students to obtain employment soonest.

For LEP enrollees, PTC offers Hotel and Restaurant Management while the APC offers BS in Marine Transportation course.

For HRM, a student will automatically enjoy first semester for free (P5,000 government assistance) while for BSMT, a student will enjoy P10,000 for two semesters, as Arensol said the qualification for this course could be obtained in two semesters.

Arensol also said many Aklan schools are applying to offer courses under the LEP and are still awaiting approval from TESDA.

Besides the LEP, TESDA also facilitates the granting to students of government educational assistance through the Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA) which, just like LEP, offers one qualification to qualified students.

Under the program, students who have an average of 80% general average in high school are qualified for screening.

"TESDA will conduct the screening, which is ongoing. We have already set a deadline, but due to the bad weather, we have extended it. Hopefully, the screening will be over in time for the school opening," Arensol said.

Arensol said that due to the current program of only giving one qualification and one free semester, there are lesser applicants for PESFA scholarship, due to the misconception that courses offered under this program are not as competitive and high-income earners as computer or nursing courses.

The government is also offering the PGMA Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) intended for applicants who wanted employment here and abroad, according to TESDA. These schools in Aklan are New OFW School, Sampaguita Gardens, Northwestern Visayan Colleges and Verde Grande, a commercial cooking school. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PHILVOLCS-Aklan: no instrument can predict earthquakes

Kalibo, Aklan -- There is a possibility that a strong earthquake could hit the Philippines but as to when exactly this would happen, nobody, and no instrument could predict, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS) here.

The clarification was aired over the radio here by PHILVOLCS-Aklan OIC Engr. Arlo Sabar in answer to text messages that circulated all over the country about a prediction by a certain "US Geological Society" of a "Magnitude 6.8 earthquake to hit Philippine plate tonight purportedly issued by the "Hawaii State Emergency Preparedness Office".

"Nobody can predict the exact time of the earthquake and its magnitude, say 6.8 – that is impossible", Engr. Sabar said.

Engr. Sabar said even Japan which is filled with seismographs cannot predict the exact time and location in the country that the earthquake may hit.

"Earthquake occurrences depend on the movement of plates under the earth," Engr. Sabar stressed.

Engr. Sabar appealed that instead of circulating misleading text messages, people should resort to doing useful things.

"We advise the people to practice preparations not only for earthquakes but for other natural calamities. We should be aware of natural calamities to reduce their disastrous effects. We cannot stop natural calamities from occurring but we can implement risk reduction measures. For instance, here in Aklan, rain has continuously poured for days, so we should brace for flashfloods", Engr. Sabar said.

In a clarificatory message from PHILVOLCS sent to PIA provincial offices of Region 6, it emphasized that "there is no organization currently capable of predicting earthquake which is very specific in terms of magnitude and the date. There is no "U.S. Geological Society", only U.S. Geological Survey but this agency does not issue immediate predictions especially for areas outside the United States of America".

"Past experiences showed that rumors of a predicted strong earthquake are common after disastrous earthquakes in nearby countries," PHILVOLCS bared. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Help one another, DOLE appeals to Aklan employers, employees

Kalibo, Aklan -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here is appealing to employers and employees to help one another, so Aklan will sustain its peaceful labor situation status.

DOLE-Aklan Provincial Head Joselito Dela Banda issued this statement as workers and employers alike are awaiting announcement of wage increase this month from the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).

De la Banda said the wage increase consultation for Panay employers and workers was conducted yet April 30 of this year while Negros Occidental had its consultation last May 6-7.

Some 80 participants in Aklan, representing employers and employees in Kalibo and in Boracay Island, attended the consultation who managed to air their respective sentiments on the proposed wage increase.

According to DOLE, wages in Panay are not classified by province but by capitalization, industry and number of workers.

Unlike other regions wherein RTWPBs have already announced that workers in their areas will be getting wage increases by June 1, the Board in Panay Island has no specific date yet, although there was a proposal that the requested wage increase be given together with the May 1 increase as mandated by Wage Order No. 5, according to De la Banda.

De La Banda emphasized that under Wage Order No. 5 issued last year, workers are still scheduled to receive the third installment in the staggered wage increase October of this year.

Besides the wage hike, DOLE revealed that some employees group are also requesting for non-wage benefits to help them tide over these difficult times. These non-wage benefits, according to DOLE, include housing, food, sacks of rice, tax exemption and transportation allowance.

For workers in Boracay Island, DOLE advised that even as much progress is seen in the island, some big establishment edge out smaller ones, resulting to less income of the latter, and so workers could not expect much from these smaller establishments to give them a bigger wage increase.

Other sectors in Aklan which are asking for wage increase are in the food business and health care facilities.

Despite these concerns, De La Banda said there are no significant changes yet in the labor situation in Aklan, as presently, the office has not receive an alarming number of complaints.

Meanwhile, Acting Labor Secretary and National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) Chair Marianito Roque is confident that workers from the private sector will start getting higher wages starting June 1 this year.

The labor secretary said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) in the National Capital Region have already completed their consultations with both the labor and employers sectors, and will soon begin with their public hearings.

As soon as the new wage order has been issued, Roque said a 15-day publication period will follow, so the workers could expect their wage increase by June 1.

The NCWPB reminded the workers that the expected salary increase in June should not, in any way, adversely affect the business sector. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

DepEd-Aklan on 'Brigada Eskwela's' positive effects

Kalibo, Aklan -- When public schools open this June, pupils could go straight to their classrooms for their classes. They need not stay outside to clean the school premises, or repair things inside their classrooms.

After a long vacation, returning to school will be exciting – with the newly painted walls and desks, and garbage-free surroundings to meet their eyes on their first day of school this year.

These, according to the Department of Education here are some of the positive effects of the 'Brigada Eskwela', a practice observed by parents, pupils, local government officials and teachers for years now, to prepare the schools for the opening of classes.

DepEd-Aklan Asst. Schools Division Supt. for Elementary Dr. Napoleon Allones said that in 'Brigada Eskwela', there is a marked improvement in the attitudes of both parents, pupils, local officials and teachers, who have shown concern in the physical environment of the schools in their communities.

Cleaning the school premises is also seen by school officials as well as parents as a way to prevent illnesses in children, because tall grasses, untrimmed shrubs or stagnant water could host insects like mosquitoes, which might bring diseases like dengue.

"Brigada Eskwela has borne very positive results. It has revived the spirit of Bayanihan in parents and local government officials. It has spawned unity, cooperation and the civic-mindedness of the people and is already a welcome yearly activity in Aklan, as in other public schools all over the country," Dr. Allones said.

This attitude, according to Dr. Allones, might be one of the reasons here why a public elementary school here, Kalibo Elementary School District II was adjudged as one of the national awardees for conducting a successful Brigada Eskwela last school year, and is set to receive the award this May 16 in Manila.

The awarding, according to Dr. Allones, will be held at the Meeting Hall of the BSP Executive Business Center. The award will be received by KES II Principal Remia Donguines.

Dr. Allones emphasized that no budget is involved in the conduct of 'Brigada Eskwela' Paints and other materials will be contributed by parents and local officials in the communities.

The activity in Aklan is set on June 2-7, according to Dr. Allones.

With 'Brigada Eskwela', school officials, teachers and parents foresee that the school opening here June 10 will be welcomed by happy pupils' faces – eager to return to a clean, conducive and safe environment for another year of studies. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Peak harvest season lowers palay buying price – OPA-Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan – The coming of the peak harvest season for rice triggered the decrease in the buying price of palay here, as more supply was brought for sale to private traders this period by farmers.

This assessment was contained in the Monthly Price Monitoring Report submitted by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) here, through Officer-in-Charge William B. Castillo which he submitted to the office of Governor Carlito Marquez, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

"The price of palay has dropped from P15.00 per kilo to P14.40 for clean and dry palay because this month is our peak harvest season," Castillo said in his report.

As to prices of other agri-commodities, Castillo said there was no significant price movement in agricultural products this period in almost all covered public markets, and if there were any, they were minimal and containable in the consumer's end.

Castillo said that generally, prices of agri-commodities remain within the prevailing price trends. The price of rice sold at markets has increased to more or less two pesos per kilo per rice classification as compared to previous month's prices, however.

In the report, milled NFA rice is sold at P18.25 per kilo while special milled rice is now sold at P31-34 per kilo. Ordinary milled rice is sold now at P26-30 per kilo.

On the other hand, prices of meat and poultry by-products remain stable, comparable to previous month's prevailing prices in almost all market areas covered for price monitoring.

Meanwhile, with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo looking on, 13 respondents in six rice diversion cases filed by the joint Anti-Rice Hoarding Task Force of the Department of Justice-National Bureau of Investigation-National Food Authority (DOJ-NBI-NFA) filed recently their counter-affidavits at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The President visited the DOJ on Padre Faura St., Ermita, Manila, the third time in eight days to look into the progress of the NBI-NFA investigation of the rice diversion cases.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales told the media that the task force had completed the preliminary investigation of the rice-diversion cases.

"All those who did not (file) are considered to have waived their right to file their counter-affidavit based on the rules of court," said the DOJ Secretary who added that the "next step is for the panel to resolve the cases based on the complaints, as well as the counter-affidavits." (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

More international flights soon at Kalibo Airport

Kalibo, Aklan -- Another airline is set to land its first international flight direct to Aklan at the Kalibo International Airport soon, presently considered one of the busiest airports in Panay Island.

According to the office of Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo here, this time, the international flight will come from Taipei, Taiwan.

Air Transportation Officer Manager Engr. Percy Malonesio said the flight from Taiwan through Mandarin Airlines will arrive at the Kalibo International Airport on May 31 bringing in some 168 Taiwanese passengers on board Boeing 737 Series Turbo Jet.

It is seen that the flights from Taiwan will be arriving twice a week which will further boost and enhance Aklan's tourism industry with Boracay Island as the main attraction and Kalibo with its many attractions like the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival, its Bakhawan Eco-Park and its Manggad it Kalibo tour package.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo underscored recently the importance of promoting tourist destinations and the availability of vital infrastructure to attract more tourists and achieve government's goal of hosting five million tourists by 2010.

The President vowed full government support in the two concerns – promotions and accessibility in a three-in-one interview with local and national media at the Gota Beach at Caramoan Island.

She said good roads and airports are vital for tourists to reach their destinations thus the government has gone into a surge in infrastructure.

Promotion is equally important, she said, as there is a need for tourists to be informed of the natural beauty spots of the country, such as the Caramoan Island, which she described as "paradise …the Boracay of Bicol."

The President stressed that there is a need to develop cultural tourism aside from eco-tourism thus she ordered the tourism department to coordinate with non-government organizations to come up with a tourism masterplan for the Caramoan and Lahuy islands, which are considered poor and the remotest areas in the region.

The government has identified the tourism sector as one of the biggest contributors to the government's goal of creating six to ten million jobs until 2010. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan has no rice hoarders – NFA

Kalibo, Aklan – There are no rice holders in Aklan.

This is according to National Food Authority-Aklan Information Officer Judith T. Tindog over a radio interview at a local radio station here.

"Aklan has no rice hoarders. We only have grains businessmen who operate for service with social concern. If farmers keep their palay produce for now, it is for food security, or maybe reserving their stocks so come enrollment time, they have something to sell for their children's schooling," Tindog said, in answer to the query if there are rice hoarders in Aklan, and if there were apprehensions already.

Tindog said that the NFA is now buying palay from individual farmers and farmers' cooperatives for P17 per kilo – composed of the government price of P11.00/Kg. and additional special procurement incentive of P6.00/kg. for clean and dry rice with 14% moisture content.

At the NFA warehouse as of April 30, Tindog said there are 4,857 bags of palay and 14,052 bags of imported rice of good quality.

"Based on an average 398 bags/day NFA rice consumption, the stocks at the warehouse could last for 43.2 days," Tindog said.

Tindog said NFA rice is readily available at Bigasang Bayan in public markets and Tindahan Natin outlets in barangays.

NFA is now encouraging local government units to operate Bigasang Bayans in their municipal markets. Tindahan Natin outlets' rice allocation is regulated. This, according to Tindog, is for outlets to provide the average need of households in the area only for a given period, and not to give the impression of stocking on supply, so other outlets could also be given their share for the consumption of other households.

The NFA is also calling on households to conserve rice, and for consumers to buy the staple food in kilograms and not by the gantas.

Buying by the gantas is still practiced in barangays here, but the NFA said this practice is already punishable.

"Buy rice in kilograms. If you have a limited amount of money, you can buy a kilo of NFA rice or a variety of your choice, and still manage to buy fish to go with the meal. If you buy in gantas, you will only be able to buy rice and nothing else to go with it because a ganta of rice costs higher than a kilo," was Tindog's appeal to Aklanons. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

SSS-Aklan now receiving payments

Kalibo, Aklan -- The Social Security System (SSS) here in Aklan has now opened its tellering service – which means it can now receive payments for loans and contributions of members in the province.

SSS-Aklan Branch Head Isaias C. Leyson said that with this latest offering, members need not line up for long hours at banks receiving payments, as this service is available already in the office from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

"Aklan has now more or less 30,000 self-employed SSS members while those who have employers number more or less 20,000, so the implementation of the tellering system is very timely," Leyson said in an interview over a radio station here.

The SSS here, according to Leyson, is already "on-line", meaning a member who works in Manila or any part of the country can look into his records in Aklan through the computer, and could avail of services offered by the system.

In Aklan, people flock to the office everyday to file different claims like retirement, disability and death claims, as well as to apply for membership and loans.

"The SSS serves its members from cradle to grave – starting from giving maternity benefits to mothers, helping members and their dependents when sick, giving pensions when retired, and burial benefits when the member dies. The surviving spouse and minor children below 21 years old also get pensions," Leyson said.

Leyson also said that before, people are not so interested to apply for SSS membership. Now that people are aware of the many benefits the system offers to private employees and their dependents, he said many are now eager to apply for become members.

Acknowledging too, that Boracay Island in Malay Aklan is a big source of potential members, SSS has started to send a staff there every Tuesday at D' Mall in the island to accept membership applications as well as to answer various queries concerning benefits and services to members.

In Malacanang, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recently ordered the SSS to extend the condonation period for its various loan programs to lighten the load of personnel employed by the private sector as the world reels from a world-wide rice and oil price crises during the tripartite labor conference she presided.

SSS assistant vice president Luz Generoso of the loans Program Division had vowed to the President for the SSS to study the President's proposal, as SSS president Cora dela Paz was not able to attend the conference.

The SSS' present Penalty Condonation on Member Loans includes both long-term (housing) loans, and the following short-term loans: salary, calamity, emergency, educational, study-now-pay-later plan, VocTechStudent, Y2K, Stock investment, and privatization fund.

The SSS had extended a total of P34 billion in short-term loans to 6.6 million members, with a total of 6.2 million members having "delinquent" accounts." (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan's camote production enough – BAS

Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan produces enough camote and other root crops to help stave off hunger and as rice substitute, according to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) here.

BAS-Aklan Provincial Agricultural Statistics Officer Manuelito Delegencia said in a radio interview here that besides camote, Aklan is also a surplus producer of cassava, which is in demand in the market as main component of cassava cakes, cassava pudding and other food delicacies.

"Aklan's camote produce increased by 2% for this period, but this supply is more than enough for the province' needs, and will be augmented by subsequent produce in the next quarter," Delegencia said.

Delegencia said Aklan's camote and cassava producing municipalities include Numancia, Balete and Altavas.

Last month, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo advocated the consumption of camote and other rootcrops to Filipinos as rice substitute in the wake of rising prices of rice, even as the government has assured that there is enough rice supply in the country.

The province of Aklan is a rice surplus producer, as assured by provincial officials here led by Gov. Carlito S. Marquez.

As the official statistics arm of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Delegencia revealed that for the period January to March of this year, Aklan has an estimated 38,583 metric tons harvested from 13,462 hectares of rice fields. Of this area, 6,786 hectares are irrigated while 6,676 are rainfed.

In households, Delegencia said farmers all over Aklan, as of April 1, have a total of 27,270 metric tons in rice form.

"If there is no rice movement out of Aklan, our rice stocks here will last until Sept. 15. By that time, there will already be ongoing harvest, as some farmers have started planting rice in the second week of April in 2,500 hectares of rice fields – 1,000 of which are irrigated, and 1,500 rainfed. Also, based on our interviews, some farmers are also planning to plant rice for the period April to July in 12,600 hectares of rice fields", Delegencia said.

Very recently, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo urged Filipino households to practice eating root crops like "camote" as a substitute for rice.

Inspired by the "Saksak" or "Sinanduloy" ( mix of rice and camote) campaign, the President said it's time for Filipinos living in urbanized communities like Metro Manila, to eat camote and other root crops, to reduce the burden of the global rise in the price of rice.

The President said that if the current rice situation continues, the country will most likely concentrate on producing more rice rather than importing it for our needs.

The president said this is the government's long-term solution to the rice supply problem. In the short term, the Arroyo administration hopes to put food on the table of every Filipino through rice importation by the National Food Authority (NFA). (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

NFA ups palay buying price

Kalibo, Aklan -- The National Food Authority (NFA) here is now buying palay from individual farmers and cooperatives at P17.00 per kilo this Summer Season Crop.

NFA-Aklan Provincial Manager Pablito Gemarino said the new palay price offer will be up to December 31, 0f this year.

Gemarino also said the P17.00 buying price per kilo of palay is composed of government support price of P11.00 per kilogram and the additional special procurement incentive of P6.00.

The approved price is for clean and dry palay with 14% moisture content.

The NFA also enjoins Aklan farmers to use the food agency's palay drying facilities. Farmers and farmers' groups who opt to used the mechanical dryers and sell their palay to the NFA will only pay P12.00/bag of 50 kilogram input with maximum moisture content of 26%, while the full cost of P89/bag of 50 Kg. input of the same moisture content will be charged to farmers who will not sell their palay to the NFA.

The NFA also said that farmers who will use the NFA drying facilities and who sold their palay to the NFA under the Farmers Option to Buy Back (FOBB) program will pay the difference of approved drying fee of P89.00/bag and initial mechanical drying fee of P12.00/bag if they withdraw their palay from the NFA warehouse.

Businessmen who use the NFA Mechanical Dryers will pay the full cost and will be the last priority to use the dryers.

This time, the NFA will be accepting 'payment in kind' from farmers for using the mechanical dryers, like palay.

The local food agency's mobile procurement team is also prepared to go to production areas in Aklan to buy palay from farmers.

NFA Information Officer Judith T. Tindog said farmers who want to sell their palay to the NFA could inform their office that there is enough volume of palay for procurement in their area.

Tindog said NFA's procurement truck has a capacity to load 80 bags of palay. Payment to farmers will be in cash or in check depending on the nature of transaction of the farmers.

Presently, NFA is reminding Aklan farmers to visit the office so they could revalidate their farmers' and master passbook. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

This big Philippine flag is now prominently displayed in front of the Provincial Capitol Building in Kalibo, Aklan to mark the launching of the “Paggalang Sa Watawat” campaign which kicked off May 28 and will be observed until June 12 of this year as mandated under Republic Act 8491 - the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines. In Aklan, the launching was held at the Provincial Capitol Grounds through a flag-raising ceremony led by Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez and Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo and joined by hundreds of provincial and national government employees holding offices in the Provincial Capitol Grounds. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Tax amnesty contributed to Aklan's tax collection – BIR

Kalibo, Aklan -- The implementation of the tax amnesty law contributed to the increase in tax collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Aklan, according to OIC Revenue District Officer Nelia Demalata.

Demalata disclosed that so far, 91 taxpayers have availed of the program, increasing the collections of the BIR in Aklan. She also said that the increase in tax collections here due to the tax amnesty law enabled Aklan to place second to Iloilo in terms of revenues.

Demalata said that the implementation of the tax amnesty law was supposed to have ended March 6 yet, but she, as head of BIR-Aklan, welcomes the moves of some lawmakers to extend the tax amnesty.

"More taxpayers in Aklan could avail of the amnesty if the implementation is extended. If the extension gets approved by Congress, the BIR will have more time to campaign and more taxpayers would be encouraged to avail of the amnesty, " Demalata said.

In her recent statement, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed her support to a proposal to extend the implementation of the tax amnesty law until May 7 this year "as long as it is within the bounds of law."

The proposal to extend the tax amnesty law was announced by Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez as he explained that this is now being studied by the business community.

Suarez said that because of some raised questions as to the actual date of the effectivity of the law or Republic Act 9480, "there is room for extension."

Suarez said the implementation of the law has raised some P4.7 billion, or P1.7 billion over the P3 billion target. It has also increased the tax base with some 16,000 new taxpayers who availed themselves of the amnesty.

With the possible extension until May 7, Suarez said an additional P1 billion in revenues could be expected.

The tax amnesty law was one of the reform agenda pushed by the Arroyo administration to put its fiscal house in order. It gives qualified taxpayers immunity from suit involving tax deficiencies up to 2005 upon payment of the tax amnesty fee.(PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Boracay visitor arrivals surpass half-million mark, generates P10 B tourism receipts

Kalibo, Aklan – Tourists arrivals in Boracay Island have surpassed the half-million mark a month before the year ends, records from the Provincial Tourism Office here show.

From January to November of this year, a total of 547,305 tourists, domestic and foreign, visited the island. Their arrival in the island generated a total of P10,062,326,737.00 in tourism receipts, with the foreign tourists contributing P6,535,377,089 and the locals adding P4,770,800,330.

Of the more than half a million arrivals in the island within the eleven month period, 189,005 were foreigners; 300,955 domestic and 57,345 were Overseas Filipinos.

Foreign tourists registered the highest arrival during the month of August numbering 19,023, while domestic tourists crowded the island during the month of April with 75,739. They also came in droves in the month of March with 35,330; May, 51,464 and June, 29,832.

With still a month to go before the year ends, more tourists, foreign and local, are still expected to visit Boracay especially during this holiday season.

Last year, total tourist arrivals in Boracay reached 558,084. Translated to tourism receipts, their arrival generated P10.2 Billion. By 2010, Aklan anticipates that arrivals will reach the one million mark.

Tourism is one of the anchor industries of the province of Aklan, along with agriculture. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan solon assures passage of Cheaper Medicines bill soon

Kalibo, Aklan – The Cheaper Medicines Bill is to be passed soon, because its passage is very important and will benefit Filipinos needing medicines.

This was the assurance given by Aklan Congressman Florencio Miraflores recently, conveyed to his constituents in a radio interview on the current activities of the Congress as far as passage of important bills are concerned.

Miraflores said the Cheaper Medicines Bill will be passed as soon as some amendments get cleared.

“Amendments to the bill being introduced by some congressmen must be studied and clarified so that objectives of the bill may not be circumvented,” Miraflores said.

The Aklan solon also said the bill has the full support of lawmakers from Western Visayas, singling out Congressman Ferj Biron who himself owns a chain of pharmacies in Iloilo.

Just this week, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo asked lawmakers to work on the passage of the proposed 2008 budget, the Cheaper Medicines Bill, and the amendment to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

Aside from these priority bills, Congress leaders likewise assured the passage of six more bills in the last six session days and these are the establishment of a credit information bureau; amendments to the University of the Philippines charter, magna carta for small and medium enterprises, personal equity retirement fund, agriculture competitiveness enhancement fund, and civil aviation.

President Arroyo also reiterated her instructions to her Cabinet to ensure a steady supply of affordable rice and cheap medicines, especially during this Christmas season. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Dengue claims 3 in Aklan, cases decreasing

Kalibo, Aklan -- Three young lives had been claimed by dengue in Aklan since its outbreak here, but health officials assure cases are now declining.

According to Dr. Maria Magpusao, Chief of the Technical Services Division of the Provincial Health Office here said based on their records, the month of August had the highest number of dengue cases with 198 while from September 1 to 22, there were 145 cases. In June, there were 23 cases of dengue in the province, while July registered 125 cases.

Dr. Magpusao said the figures have not gone beyong outbreak level compared with the past years’ record of the province, however, she advised that patients suspected of having dengue must seek medical attention right away.

“If laboratory findings reveal that the patient’s platelets have gone down, the patient must be admitted in a hospital. If after 6 hours of supportive management, the platelets keep on going down, the patient should be transported to Iloilo City for plasma transfusion,” Dr. Magpusao said.

Dr. Magpusao said a dengue patient could not be transfused with whole blood because he might experience a volume overload. Some patients who need plasma transfusions needed to be brought to Iloilo City because Aklan has no plasma freezer, nor has it the machine to separate plasma from other blood components.

Magpusao said patients who died of dengue in Aklan include a 10-year old boy child Altavas, a 17-year old student from Numancia and a baby from Malay. When inspected by provincial health officials, Dr. Magpusao said all areas where there were dengue deaths had the presence of the dengue mosquito vector, aedes aegypti. The households also stored water in uncovered containers which was used as breeding areas by the deadly mosquitoes.

“Mosquitoes also breed in plants like bromeliads. We already advised households and schools to get rid of their bromeliads, because the pineapple-like plant stores rainwater in its center, which is used as breeding ground of mosquitoes,” Dr. Magpusao revealed.

Dr. Magpusao revealed that during her team’s visits to barangays, they discovered that whole bamboos used as post for fences of houses, when filled with rain water, are also used as breeding grounds of dengue mosquitoes. She advised house owners to fill the hollowed posts with soil or sand so mosquitoes could not breed there.

The Department of health (DOH) has issued a nationwide dengue fever alert and has asked hospitals to designate fast lanes for dengue patients. According to a DOH report, Region 6, where Aklan belongs, has the most number of dengue victims, followed by Region 7 and NCR. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan town is region’s most outstanding municipality

Kalibo, Aklan – For implementing innovative projects and services in support of the nutrition programs of the government, the town of Nabas, located in the western part of Aklan was adjudged as Region 6’S Outstanding Municipality during the 18th Nutrition Congress held recently at the Grand Hotel in Iloilo City.

As the region’s most outstanding municipality for three consecutive years, Nabas town is a Consistent Regional Winner on Nutrition (CROWN) awardee and is to maintain this status for three years. If it maintains this status, Nabas will be awarded the National Honor Award, the highest award given to municipalities and provinces with outstanding performance in implementing nutrition programs. Kalibo, the province’ capital town, and Aklan itself, had been recipients of this awards already, according to Crescini Roxas, ND II of the Provincial Health Office here.

Roxas said Nabas edged out its rivals from other provinces in Region 6 because its nutrition program has the full support of the local leaders and it has instituted innovative projects for nutrition to improve the health of its constituents especially the children.

Roxas said Nabas is the only municipality in Aklan which has a salt iodizing machine to ensure that Nabasnons have ample supply of iodized salt to prevent iodine-deficiency among its constituents. It also produces insumix, a nutritious but affordable mix of food for young children. All barangays in Nabas have assigned midwives, with their salaries paid by the local government.

Roxas also said that residents of the municipalities are holders of green passports – another innovative program introduced by the Department of Interior and Local Government. Under the program, a green card is given to a family if it has met the health requirements stipulated in the program -the children are all fully-immunized; the household has a sanitary toilet, the family cooperates with government’s other programs, and maintains a backyard vegetable garden for their daily supply of fresh vegetables and at the same time to augment family income.

Practicing backyard gardening or farming is now being pushed by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture to support households’ daily needs in vegetables.

BPI Officer-In-Charge Joel Rudinas said 766,863 households in the country have tapped the Programnag Gulayan Para sa Masa, located in the 30 priority provinces that were assessed by the DA’s Hunger Mitigation Task Force.

Under the program, DA Regional Field Units are providing seeds, training and services to all interested households, he added.

In Region 6, only the province of Antique is included in this program, according to Aklan Provincial Agriculturist Delano T. Tefora.

“However, if local governments here opt to spend for the institutionalization or practice of backyard gardening to help mitigate hunger, it would be much better,” according to Tefora.

Tefora said backyard gardening in Aklan households will also help lower prices of vegetable in Aklan public markets now. Prices of some vegetables, based on OPA’s latest report, have gone up here.

Aklan leaders here hope the Nabas experience will be replicated in all municipalities here, especially the backyard gardening practice. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

ATO needs trainees for air navigation, basic air traffic service courses

Kalibo, Aklan -- The Air Transportation Office (ATO) will be conducting a competitive examination to select trainees for the 13th Basic Air Traffic Service Course to be held in Manila Civil Aviation Training Center (CATC), Merville Road, Pasay City. Graduate of this course shall qualify for the position of Air Traffic Controller and/or Airways Communicator.

According to Engr. Percy Malonesio, Airport Manager of ATO at the Kalibo Airport here, qualified and selected Aklanon applicants who will pass the competitive examination, interview and medical/physical examination shall be trained by ATO at no cost; however, Maloneio emphasized that there will be no allowance or other form of compensation during the training period.

Examination is on October 27, 2007 in Manila, Mactan, Laoag, Puerto Prinsesa, Legaspi, Iloilo, Kalibo, Roxas, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

To qualify, applicants should not be more than 26 years old on the day of the examination, must be in good health, and a holder of a Baccalaureate degree and must be computer literate.

Application forms may be secured from the Personnel Section, ATO, MIA Road for Manila applicants. For Aklan applicants, forms could be obtained from ATO, Kalibo Airport, Pook.

Applicants must submit a copy of College Diploma/Transcript of Records, Birth Certificate, Police Clearance, Barangay Clearance, and NBI Clearance together with the duly-filled-up application form not later that 5:00 PM, October 24 to the Airport Manager, Kalibo Airport.

On the other hand, ATO also needs trainees for its 35th Air Navigation Systems Specialist Course. ATO will also hold a competitive examination to select trainees for this course to be held at the CATC.

According to Malonesio, graduates of this training course shall qualify for the position of Air Navigation Systems Specialist I. Just like the other training, qualified applicants will have no allowance for the duration of the training.

The examination date is November 14, 2007, with the tests to be held in Manila, Mactan, Laoag, Puerto Prinsesa, Legaspi, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and Zamboanga Airports.

Applicants should be at least 21 years old but not more than 29 years old on the day of the examination, must be physically and mentally fit, must be single, natural born citizen of the Philippines and of good moral character; must be a graduate of any of the following course: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronics and Communications, Mechanical or Computer Engineering and must be a Career Service Professional or RA 1080.

Application forms can be secured from the Airport Manager, ATO. Applicants must submit a copy of College Diploma, Transcript of Records, NBI clearance, Police Clearance, and other required documents together with the application form to the Airport Manager for Aklan applicants not later than October 19, 2007.

Malonesio said the training for successful applicants could last for more or less six to eight months. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

New airport terminal at Kalibo airport rushed with more tourists brought by intl flights

Kalibo, Aklan – By 2008, there will be a new airport terminal at Kalibo Airport to accommodate arriving passengers in the province brought by international flights from Incheon, South Korea and China by plane companies like the Asian Spirit, Philippine Airlines, Pacific Pearl and very soon, China Eastern.

This is according to Engr. Percy Malonesio, Airport Manager of the Air Transportation Office here at Kalibo Airport.

Engr. Malonesio revealed that currently, Asian Spirit directly lands from Incheon, South Korea at the Kalibo Airport on a daily basis except Thursdays, bringing in some 150 Korean tourists each flight. Asian Spirit’s international flight from South Korea to Aklan started May 11 of this year.

The Phiippine Airlines, on the other hand, just started ferrying in tourists from Pudong, Shanghai, China last October 1 and 2. The first flight brought in 93 passengers while the second flight had 101 passengers. Malonesio also said that Pacific Pearl and China Eastern airlines will soon have their own flight landings at the Kalibo Airport.

The new airport terminal, according to Malonesio, has already a budget of P84 million, released as promised by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and announced here by Congressman Ignacio Arroyo and Presidential Management Staff Chief Cerge Remonde during their visits to the province.

“The bidding process for the new airport terminal building will be held November of this year, and hopefully, by next year, the building will be finished,” Malonesio revealed.

Malonesio also said the 100 meters expansion of the airport runway will also be underway, so domestic and international flights could land easily in the airport.


With the daily international flights coming in through Asian Spirit and with more brought in by other airlines in the days to come, Malonesio said the Air Transportation Office in Aklan is being extra-careful and vigilant in implementing anti-terroristic measures to protect leaving and arriving domestic and foreign passengers at the Kalibo Airport. He said ATO holds regular meetings with the PNP, the transport groups, the Aviation Security Group and other stakeholders to take up anti-terror preventive measures.

The international flights also caused the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, the Bureau of Customs, and the Quarantine to establish regular desks and staff in the airport. Quarantine has four divisions to take care of specific concerns: plants, fisheries, animals and people. The quarantine division is on alert here, according to Malonesio, with the threat of bird flu, and the problem affecting ornamental palms and coconuts here, which might be brought to mainland Aklan through entry at the Kalibo Airport. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PCA, Aklan local officials join hands against Brontispa

Kalibo, Aklan -- The infestation of Brontispa on ornamental palms and coconut trees in the world-famous resort island of Boracay Island has made Aklan’s local government officials, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and other government agencies pool their resources and efforts together to eradicate this dreaded pest which has started its destruction spree in the island.

According to Plevy Raco, PCA-Aklan Provincial Head, 80% of ornamental palms and coconut trees in Barangay Balabag in Boracay Island is already affected while in Manoc-Manoc, another barangay, the infestation is at 50%. Along the beachfront, however, she said 100% of the coconut trees are already infested.

Barangay Yapak is not affected yet, but Raco said they are already implementing preventive measures to keep the Brostispa pest from infesting the coconut trees in the area.

Based on information materials furnished by the PCA, Brostispa feeds on young coconut leaves. Young leaves appear burned or scorched resulting from the feeding damage of the coconut leaf beetle. It is a new malady of coconut in the country, presumably brought here through importation of ornamental palms. It causes great damage to seedlings and mature coconut trees and ornamental palms thereby killing the young spears and eventually the whole tree.

One method the PCA is using now to eradicate the pest is by trunk injection, according to Raco, using Actara emulsifiable granules, which is done by boring holes in the coconut trunks.

“The provincial government through Governor Carlito Marquez extended assistance by shouldering the wages of laborers who are boring coconut trunks for injection. For his part, Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling has already issued an order banning ornamental palms from entering and exiting the island of Boracay. Barangay councils in the island also issued certifications so that PCA personnel can enter resort establishments to inspect ornamental palms and implement treatment, if the palms in the areas show signs of infestation, while the Bureau of Plant Industry is implementing strict quarantine measures to regulate entries of ornamental plants in the island,” Raco revealed.

Another method the PCA is employing to eradicate Brontispa is the propagation of earwigs, an insect that eats the larva of Brontispa. However, Raco said the PCA is short in number of this insect, and is planning to seek the assistance of Aklan State University (ASU) here to study the fast propagation or culture of these insects to counter Brontispa. The PCA is also planning to seek the assistance of the stakeholders in Boracay to help the agency in purchasing Actara so all palms and coconuts in the island will be injected.

Presently, Boracay Island has more or less 15,000 coconut trees, according to PCA records. The PCA, the provincial government and the local government in Malay and other agencies like the Department of Agriculture here are in a rush to prevent Brontispa from reaching mainland Aklan.

“The pest must not enter mainland Aklan, because once this happens, the great losers will be the small coconut farmers, who tend the trees for copra. Thre thriving virgin coconut oil industry will also be affected, including other coco-based business,” Raco said.

Aklan, according to Raco, is number one in coconut density in Western Visayas, and the biggest copra-producer in the region. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan governor says statistics important in eradication of poverty, hunger

Kalibo, Aklan -- Having Aklan’s accurate data on the province’ poverty threshold, employment and unemployment rate, population, agricultural produce and other information that involves the use of statistics is vital for poverty and hunger eradication in the province.

This is according to Aklan governor Carlito S. Marquez who recently led the initial meeting as part of the province’ celebration of National Statistics Month observed nationwide this month of October. The meeting was held at the Conference Room of the Provincial Guest House here.

The meeting was attended by heads and representatives of national government agencies and provincial offices who were invited by the provincial government to plan out activities for the month-long celebration.

Gov. Marquez said it is important to know the accurate number of the province’ poor families so the provincial government can formulate the right programs and services for these people to bring down incidence of poverty and hunger.

Theme of this year’s Statistics Month celebration is “Statistics and Actions: A Road to a Better Life Through the Millennium Development Goals”. Poverty and hunger eradication is one of the six MDG priority areas of concern.

Other MDG concerns include the achievement of universal primary education, promotion of gender equality, reduction of child mortality, improvement of women’s reproductive health, and combat HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases.

In the province, some activities that will be held for the 18th Statistics Month celebration include hanging of streamers, a Thanksgiving Mass, motorcade by all participating agencies around Kalibo, Statistical Exhibit, Progress Report Forum on the Millenium Development Goals, Statistical Quiz and radio and cable television guestings by representatives of participating agencies.

Most of the activities will be held October 16, while the closing activity, a Statistical Forum, will be held on October 25, according to Engr. Roger M. Esto, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator who presided in the initial meeting together with Gov. Marquez.

For this year’s celebration of Statistics Month, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno is urging all local chief executives to conduct simple but meaningful activities, citing the importance and value of statistics in the development efforts of the national and local governments.

“In order to assess our progress and the effectiveness of our programs on poverty eradication in achieving this goal, we need hard data and statistics,” the DILG Chief explained.

The observance of National Statistics Month each year is aimed to promote, enhance and instill awareness and appreciation on the importance of statistics in the formulation of policies for growth and development as well as elicit the cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality of standards of statistics in the country. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Wanted: earwig catchers for Aklan’s battle with brontispa

Kalibo, Aklan – Aklan’s battle with Brontispa, a coconut leaf beetle now destroying ornamental palms and coconut trees in Boracay Island continues with the Philippine Coconut Authority here planning to fight the coconut pest with another insect – the earwig.

The earwig, according to the PCA, also known as “sipit-sipit” in the island, is a friendly insect which feeds on the larva of Brontispa. Great hope is pinned on this insect by concerned agencies like the PCA, the Department of Agriculture and the local government units here to totally eradicate Brontispa, which has destroyed 80% or ornamental palms in Barangay Balabag in Boracay; 50% of palms in Manoc-manoc, another Boracay barangay, and 100% of coconuts in the beach front.

These agencies are racing against time to prevent the dreaded pest from reaching mainland Aklan, because once this happens, the province’ copra industry and other coconut-based enterprises could be destroyed.

Propagation of the earwig in Aklan, however, according to PCA Provincial Head Plevy Raco, has a snag – the short supply of the insects here, which dwell in coconut trees which are seldom harvested or cleaned.

Raco said that in four months’ time, they hope to turn in earwigs to battle with Brontispa and stop the latter’s infestation of palms and coconuts in the island. However, the scarcity of the insects for propagation is a problem, so the PCA is contemplating to look for expert earwig catchers in the province.

To propagate the insects, PCA is now planning to seek the assistance and expertise of the Aklan State University here.

Currently, the PCA’s Brontispa-eradication methods include trunk injection, spraying of chemicals to kill the larva of brontispa, and pruning and burning of infested plant parts.

For her part, fearing that Brontispa could wipe out the P40-billion coconut industry of the country, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently issued Executive Order No. 664 ordering the Department of Agriculture to “undertake emergency measures” to prevent the coconut leaf beetle from spreading in 68-coconut producing provinces.

In response to PGMA’s EO, DA Secretary Yap and other officials are having meetings with local chief executives and police officers to draw up the mechanics of enforcing emergency measures ordered by the President to contain the invasive coconut pest.

The DA has put under quarantine Metro Manila and 26 provinces infested with the coconut leaf beetle as part of these emergency steps to save the Philippine coconut industry.

Under Special Quarantine Order No. 1 issued by the DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), the department has likewise banned imports of palm seed nuts and seedlings from over two dozen countries with known or reported Brontispa infestations.

The provinces placed under quarantine are Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Aurora, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, Quezon, Rizal, Southern Palawan, Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Aklan, Guimaras, Bohol, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Zamboanga, Bukidnon and Davao.

Movement of palm seedlings, plants and germinated seed nuts from these provinces to non-infected areas is prohibited by the new BPI order, unless such planting materials are covered by a transport permit issued by the BPI attesting that these have gone through strict quarantine measures.

In the wake of the Brontispa infestation in Boracay Island, Malay mayor Ciceron Cawaling has ordered the no entry, no exit policy of ornamental palms to and from the island. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan governor to info officers: provide correct, true information to constituents

Kalibo, Aklan -- It is up for duly designated public information officers to provide correct and true information to constituencies.

This was Aklan governor Carlito Marquez’ challenge to officers and members of the Aklan Public Information Officers Association (APIOA) here he inducted recently at the Gov. Corazon Cabagnot Tourism and Training Center in his keynote message.

Governor Marquez said the felt need for an effective information dissemination program, especially in the government, takes greater significance today in the light of the very rapid advancements in information technology.

“The speed by which information is carried by different media into our very homes is also the speed by which misinformation, disinformation, and all forms of deception are fed to the credible,” Governor Marquez stressed to the information officers.

According to him, it has become an accepted fact that information dissemination is a most important, critical component of any undertaking, especially of a government which puts a high premium on the approval of the constituency it seeks to serve, which he referred to as “approval rating”.

Governor Marquez cited the one-entry, one exit policy in Boracay Island as a test on the effectivity of information dissemination. He said the policy was greeted with loud protests from certain sectors, but after the province’ effective information dissemination efforts, the protesters saw the light, saw the need for security to ensure the safety of tourists and saw the need for a beach clear of pump boats and their oil and other wastes so tourists can enjoy swimming.

“One act of terrorism, one small bomb exploding in the island and tourists will stop coming. And that will be the end of our tourism industry, the goose that lays the golden eggs. This illustrates how important information dissemination is, which in fact, is in line with our policy of transparency. The people must know so they will understand and thereby appreciate what we are doing and extend cooperation, even assistance, towards the successful implementation of government programs.

Gov. Marquez also commended the APIOA for conducting a forum on Good Governance on the very day of their induction.

“That’s the catchword of the day. Good governance - the yardstick by which our constitutencies measure the capabilities of local as well as national leaders. But good governance is not the sole responsibility of our leaders, whether elected, appointed, or designated. It is as much the responsibility of the rank and file, the bureaucracy, the so-called civil servants who operate the government machinery,” the Aklan governor said.

The forum on Good Governance was held prior to the induction program, which had Max Zurbito Jr., former APIOA President and currenty SP-Aklan Secretary Odon Bandiola and former Vice Governor Roquillo C. Tolentino as speakers.

Inducted APIOA Officers for 2007-2009 were Maribel S. Tolentino of Pag-IBIG-Aklan, President; Sally Villasis of Aklan State University, Vice President; Deana G. Ruiz of the Department of Trade and Industry, Secretary; Judith T. Tindog of National Food Authority, Treasurer; Ulysses V. Espartero, Prov’l Governor’s Office, Asst. Secretary-Treasurer; PO1 Nida L. Gregas, Aklan Police Provincial Office, Auditor; Ferdinand R. Macogue, Civil Service Commission, Business Manager; and Leopoldo C. Sanchez Jr. of LGU-Numancia, Press Relations Officer. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)