Aklan farmers to benefit from DA’s certified seeds assistance

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

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

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

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

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

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

NFA assures enough rice supply for Aklan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    She also called on rice rice retailers to

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

 

ADB, MAGAHIWAT SANG ASIA PACIFIC CLIMATE CHANGE VIDEO CONTEST

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MAG-ENLIST SA AFP RESERVE FORCE –REMONDE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Task Force to eliminate hunger in Aklan created

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DPWH completes big infra projects in Aklan in October

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


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

 

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

 

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

 

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

U.S. government to train Aklan policemen on ICITAP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PAGPALAWIG SANG REHISTRASYON SANG BOTANTE, DEPENDE SA COMELEC

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

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

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

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

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

OWWA to conduct free seminar for families of OFWs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ECC, NAGPAGUWA SANG ‘COMPENSATORY GUIDELINES OF MURDEROUS ASSAULT’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aklan to hold 7th Product Showcase in Iloilo City

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

Boracay visitor arrivals reach half-million mark

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aklan is ready for Alay Lakad with “Hataw”

    Kalibo, Aklan -- It's all systems go for another novel way of observing Alay Lakad in Aklan – a dawn walk capped by a "Hataw" of participating groups at the Kalibo Pastrana Park here November 6.

    Last year, instead of a dawn walk for the cause of Out-Of-School youth, the province instead held "Alay Linis" to clear Kalibo of garbage and other debris left by the heavy and deep flood brought by Typhoon Frank that hit Aklan June 21 last year.

    The province of Aklan jointly holds Alay Lakad every year with the municipality of Kalibo with Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez as Provincial Honorary Chairman and Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo as Municipal Honorary Chairman.

    This year's Alay Lakad Over-All Chairman is Nestor Bartolome, President, Rotary Club of Metro Kalibo.

As Over-All Chairman for this year, the Rotary Club of Kalibo, in agreement with the Alay Lakad Provincial Executive Committee, will be giving away prizes for winners in the following categories: 1) Biggest Participating Group Student Category; 2) Biggest Participating Group – Professional Category; 3) Best in Hataw Attire (Group 1, 2 and 3) and 4) Biggest Donation AL 2009 (donations given immediately after the Walk).

    Members of the Alay Lakad Executive Committee suggested the incorporation of "Hataw", an aerobics exercise, to promote a healthy lifestyle among participating groups.

    The Department of Education (DepEd) will be taking charge of the "Hataw" by providing music and dance leaders on stage at the Pastrana Park.

    This year's Alay Lakad theme is "Lakad Kabataan, Ituloy ang Kaunlaran".

    According to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) here, Alay Lakad Secretariat, part of the funds of the past 2 Alay Lakad activities aided eight college students to graduate from their chosen courses and sent 65 Aklanon youths to the 5-day Regional Youth Encampment in San Jose, Antique.

    Being a fund-raising activity to help Aklan's youth, donations will be collected from the participants – for heads of office – P200.00; Asst. Head of Office/Division Chief – P100.00; Rank and File, P25.00 and Civic Organizations, P1,500.00. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

DOH, padayon nga magapakig-away kontra A(H1N1), iban pa nga balatian

    Padayon ang Department of Health (DOH) nga magapakig-away kontra sa mga makalalaton nga mga balatian.

    Sa isa ka media briefing sa Malacanang, si Health Secretary Francisco Duque nagsiling nga ang una nga pagdalasa sang A(H1N1) ang natapna na. Sa maayo nga palad, wala pa sang na-report nga kaso sang pagbalik sang balatian.

    Ugaling, suno kay Duque, dapat maghalong ang publiko kag pirmi nga mangin matinlo agud malikawan indi lamang ang swine flu kundi ang ordinary nga flu, hepatitis, typhoid, leptospirosis, kag dengue.

    Sa karon, suno kay Duque, may 99% nga recovery rate halin sa 5,212 nga kaso sang AH1N1 sang una nga pagdalasa sang virus.

    Suno sa iya, ang 30 ka na record nga kamatayon halin sa virus diutay lamang kumparar sa iban nga nasyon bangud sa ginhimo nga mga tikang sang gobyerno sa pag-abang sini dala ang pagpahibalo sa mga pumuluyo.

    Halin sang Abril, nagnotar si Duque nga ang gobyerno naghimo sang mga tikang sa pagtapna sang virus, nga natalupangdan man sang World Health Organization (WHO).

    Nagreserba man ang gobyerno sang P100 million para ibakal sang AH1N1 vaccines halin sa WHO kag direkta halin sa mga drug manufacturers. (PIA/V. Villanueva)

PGMA, NAGBATON IT DONASYON NGA BUGAS HALIN SA THAILAND

    Ginbaton ni Presidente arroyo sang Sabado ang pagpasalig sang Thailand nga magadonar ini sang 620 metriko tonelada nga bugas para sa mga biktima sang "Ondoy" kag "Pepeng".

    Sa working lunch sang napulo nga pinuno sang ASEAN, si Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva nagdaho kay Presidente Arroyo sang isa ka hakup nga bugas bilang simbolo sang donasyon.

    Ang Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs nagpasalig nga 100 metriko tonelada sang bugas kag mga bulong ang igapadala nila sa Pilipinas sa pagtapos sang bulan nga ini.

    May 520 metriko tonelada man sang bugas nga sa inisyatibo man sang Thai trade representative kag ginpaagi sa ASEAN Plus 3-East Asia Emergency Rice Reserve, ang magaabot man sa Pebrero sa madason nga tuig.

    Linibo sang mga pulmuluyo ang nadulaan sang ilistaran bangud sa duha ka bagyo nga nagdala sang halit sa Metro Manila kag madamo nga parte sang Northern Luzon.

    Nagdala ini sang kasamaran sa agrikultura, ilabi nagid sa kahumayan nga nag-abot sa binilyon nga pesos. (PIA/VGVillanueva)

DOLE launches K-ITO project

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launched simultaneously in all provinces nationwide the Kabataan Information Technologies Opporunities (K-Ito) Project on October 21, 2009.

    According to DOLE-Aklan Provincial Head Joselito De La Banda, Kabataan-Ito is DOLE's contribution to the National Youth Service Program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pursuant to Executive Order 786 dated March 30, 2009 "Promoting A Youth National Youth Service Program" and initiating a new era of volunteerism and community spirit.

    De La Banda further said Kabataan Ito is an earning and learning project through which the IT-literate unemployed youth shall be tapped in improving IT literacy among the out-of-school youth and other disadvantaged youth through free mentoring sessions and in bringing the government closer to the people through free, supervised internet access to online government programs and services.

    In Aklan, the K-Ito Project was launched at QA Computer Learning Center along 19 Martyrs Street here in Kalibo.

    QA Learning Center is the Accredited Co-Partner (ACP) of DOLE which will provide the facilities (computers and venue) for the project. The ACP is owned and managed by former Congressman Allen s. Quimpo who is also the President of the Northwestern Visayan Colleges.

    The K-Ito Project initially will have 15 mentors and at least 30 participants per session.

    Participants have to complete the four sessions in order to be issued a certificate of completion. The mentors will be paid by DOLE a stipend of P25 per hour for the duration of the project or for a maximum of 176 hours per mentor. (DOLE/PIA)

October is National Statistics Month

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The important role that statistics play in good governance, peace and sustainable development will be highlighted this year as the nation celebrates the 20th National Statistics Month this October.

    The observance of National Statistics Month is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647 declaring the month of October of every year as the National Statistics Month, issued on September 20, 1990.

    The yearly observance of this activity aims to promote, enhance, and instill nationwide awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics to the different sectors of society, and to elicit the cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country.

    In Aklan, several activities had been lined to make this year's celebration impactful and meaningful by the National Statistics Office (NSO) here with the full support of the Provincial Government, national government agencies, GOCCs and local government units.

    Since October 1, municipalities and local and national government agencies started hanging streamers in their respective areas and offices to announce the celebration.

    The province, however, reserved major activities to be held in the last week of October. These include Data Exhibit of various government agencies at the Provincial Trade Hall to be launched on October 26; radio program guestings, Statistical Forum at the Provincial Trade Hall; Awarding of the Best Booth, and Awarding of Winners of the Vegetable Productivity Contest on October 30, and Statistical Quiz on October 27.

    According to the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) here, cash prizes will be given to winners with the best booth (for the data exhibit) and winners in the vegetable productivity contest.

    The Vegetable Productivity Contest was initiated by the PPDO, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), Department of Education and the Kalibo Jaycees since last year after Typhoon Frank devastated Aklan to encourage vegetable planting in all public schools in the province.

    The Statistical Forum, on the other hand, aims to generate information and create awareness on good governance, peace and sustainable development and for this activity, the provincial government will be inviting the Academe and local government units to share their best practices in the forum.

    The Statistical Quiz will be a contest among first year college students of Aklan's private and public colleges here. Venue for this year's quiz, according to Blas Solidum, Provincial Statistics Officer, is the ASU-Cafeteria of Aklan State University Kalibo Campus.

    Winners in the quiz will then be pitted against winners of other provinces in Western Visayas.

    "Enhancing Security Sector Statistics for Good Governance, Peace and Sustainable Development" is this year's theme of the Statistics Month observance. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Wanted: Best Performing Advisers 2009

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The search is on for the region' s Best Performing School Paper Advisers.

    The Search, according to Philippine Information Agency 6, the project proponent, is the government's way of appreciating and recognizing the efforts of the school paper advisers in promoting development and responsible campus journalism.

    PIA 6 Regional Director Janet C. Mesa said the Search is open to all school paper advisers who have served the publication for at least two consecutive school years and have attended any of the PIA campus journalism seminar-workshops during his or her term as adviser.

    "Advisers who have been PIA awardees before can still join the Search", Director Mesa said.

    School paper advisers interested to join the Search have until October 30 to accomplish and submit requirements to the nearest PIA Office.

    In Aklan, the PIA office is located at the 3^rd Floor of the Provincial Capitol Bldg. here.

    The winning 10 Best Performing School Paper Advisers will each receive a Citation, Gold Medal, and gift certificates.

    The presentation of the Award will be done during the College Press Conference and Awards on November 26, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. Iloilo Grand Hotel, Iloilo City. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Magadaku sang 5% ang OFWs remittances sa 2009 – NEDA

    Ginpabutyag sang National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) sining karon lang ang ila pagsalig nga magadaku ang mga remittances sang mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sang 5% sa tuig nga ini.

    Si Acting NEDA Director-General Augusto Santos nagsiling nga ang tion sang paskwa kag ang nag-agi nga mga kalamidad ang magapadaku sa magasulod nga remittances sa nabilin nga binulan sang tuig bangud ang mga OFWs ginalauman nga magpadala sang dugang nga kwarta agud mabuligan ang ila mga pamilya nga makabangon sa epekto sang kalamidad nga nag-igo sa Pilipinas.

    Ang projection sang NEDA mas mataas sang sa iya sang Bangko Sentral sang Pilipinas, nga nag forecast sang 3% nga pagdaku.

    Sa una nga pito ka bulan sang tuig, ang remittances nagtaas sang 3-8 % year-on-year sa $10 billion. Sang Hulyo, nagtaas ang remittances sang 9.3 percent sa $1.5 billion.

    Ang mga remittances halin sa sea kag land-based nga mga trabahante nagtaas sang 5.6% kag 3.4%.

    Ang mga mayor nga ginahalinan sang remittances sa sulod sang pito ka bulan amo ang United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Italy kag Germany.

    Una sini, si Dennis Arroyo, NEDA National Planning and Policy Staff Director ang nagsiling nga ang mga remittances maga 'offset' sa epekto sang bagyo nga Ondoy kag bagyo nga Pepeng sa ekonomiya.

    Gina estimar sang gobyerno nga may P9.76 billion nga balor sang imprastraktura kag facilidad sa agrikultura ang ginguba sang duha ka bagyo.

    Bangud sini, nagsiling ang NEDA nga ang Gross Domestic Product (GDP) mahimo nga mabuhinan sang 0.2 percentage pointssa tuig nga ini sa 0.6%-1.6% halin sa una nga forecast nga 0.8%-1.8%.

    Apang ang gobyerno padayon nga nagamentenar sang iya growth target bangud sang daku nga remittances sang OFWs. (PIA/vgv)

PGMA, nagtukod sang Special National Public-Private Reconstruction Commission

    Nagtukod sang isa ka Special National Public-Private Reconstruction Commission si Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo nga maga-estudyo sa mga dahilan, balor kag aksyon nga pagahimuon sa pagdalasa sang mga bagyo nga Ondoy, Pepeng, kag Frank sa Pilipinas, kag magpangita sang panibag-o nga bulig agud punduhan ang 'reconstruction'.

    Gin-anunsyo ini sang Presidente sa ginhiwat nga National Disaster Coordinating Council-Cabinet Meeting sa West Central Elementary School sa Dagupan City.

    Suno sa Presidente, iya gin issue ang Executive Order bangud sa kadaku nga panghalit sang nag-agi nga mga kalamidad sa nasyon sa tunga sang global financial crisis nga naka apektar man sa fiscal capacity.

        Himuon man sang Komisyon ang rehabilitation plan para sa nagkalaguba nga mga imprastractura kag iban pa gid nga prayoridad, ipalabi ang mga importante nga mga programa kag magpamuno sa pag-implementar sang mga programa.

    Ang special commission pagapamunuan sang isa ka business leader nga magapangita sang pundo kag mga grants agud punduhan ang 'reconstruction'.

    Magaserbe man ini bilang clearing house para sa international assistance nga gin implementar sang mga donors nga naga gamit sang cluster approach.

    Ginmanduan man ang Komisyon nga mag request sa United Nations kag World Bank nga mag koordinar sa isa ka international pledging session.

    Co-chairs sang Komisyon kanday Finance Secretary Margarito Teves kag isa ka church leader kon diin mangin katapu ang tanan nga mga department heads kag business groups kag mga representante sang Philippine kag international NGOs. (PIA/vgv)

October 15 is Global Handwashing Day

    Kalibo, Aklan -- October 15 has been declared as Global Handwashing Day.

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO) diarrhea kills almost 2 million children all over the world each year. A UNICEF report indicated that more than 5,000 children die everyday from diarrhea before they reach their fifth birthday. Diarrhea is the second most common cause of death in children.

    Studies have shown that washing hands with soap can reduce deaths from diarrhea by almost 50 percent and deaths from acute respiratory infections by 25 percent. Handwashing with soap is the single most cost effective health intervention to prevent death and diseases that are related to diarrhea. It can save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention.

    In Aklan, Sonia M. David, Provincial Garantisadong Pambata (GP) Coordinator, said that it is important that hands should be scrubbed with soap for at least 20 seconds. Hands should always be washed with soap after using the toilet, before eating, and before handling food.

    According to David, as part of GP's service delivery, certain activities will be conducted this month such as Vitamin A Supplementation, deworming, immunization, and oral health.

    Garantisadong Pambata is an institutionalized Pre-Schoolers Health Campaign nationwide, conducted every third week of the months of April and October every year. The DOH campaign on GP coincides with the celebration of the Global Handwashing Day.

    The Provincial Government of Aklan and the United States Agency for International Development support Garantisadong Pambata and Global Handwashing Day with the hope of improving child survival and having a healthier future for children and families by drawing attention to the importance of washing hands with soap and water. (PHO/PIA)

DTI to hold Forum on Consumerism

    Kalibo, Aklan -- A one-day Forum on Consumerism will be held in Aklan by the Department of Trade and Industry in celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month and in observance of the Intellectual Property Rights Week this October.

    The forum will be held at the Cutting Edge-ACP Centre Pointe.

    DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena said the forum intends to raise public awareness on generic drugs and appreciation on the significance of standards and standardization activities of the government, as well as instill quality-consciousness in consumer's choice of products and services for their safety.

    Target participants are consumers coming from all sectors in the province, while resource persons will come from the Department of Health, Philippine Product Safety & Quality Foundation, Inc. and Department of Trade and Industry.

    Messages from Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo and Governor Carlito Carlito Marquez will also be delivered.

    Topics to be tackled by resource speakers include Consumer Rights and Responsibilities/Fair Trade Laws, Cheaper Medicines Act/Maximum Drug Retail Price Program, and LPG Industry, Electrical Devices/Christmas Lights, Steel Bars & Plywood.

    An open forum after the talks will be held, while the synthesis and closing remarks will be delivered by PD Cadena. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan to hold Alay Lakad 2009 with ‘Hataw’

    Kalibo, Aklan -- After last year having been conducted successfully through Alay Linis, Aklan's Alay Lakad this year will be observed through another novel manner – Alay Lakad with a 'Hataw' twist.

    The decision to incorporate 'Hataw' or aerobics exercise in the yearly observance of Alay Lakad was agreed upon during meetings held by the Provincial and Municipal Alay Lakad committees.

    Last year, because of Typhoon Frank that dumped tons of mud and garbage in Kalibo, the Alay Lakad Executive Committee decided to do away with the dawn walk and instead conducted clean-up and beautification activities in various areas in Kalibo still found with left-over debris brought by the typhoon.

    This year's activity, to be called ALAY LAKAD NA, MAY HATAW PA, will be held on November 6 at the Kalibo Pastrana Park, where the three groups of walkers composed of provincial officials, national government, provincial and municipal employees, civic clubs and non-government organizations will converge coming from three starting points in Kalibo.

    Evangelina Gallega of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office here, who presided during most of the meetings, said this year's activity theme is "LAKAD KABATAAN, ITULOY ANG KAUNLARAN'.

    A short program will be held at the Pastrana Park before the 'Hataw' with messages to be delivered by Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, Vice Governor Gabrielle C. Quimpo, Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores and Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo.

    Mr. Nestor Bartolome, President of Rotary Club of Metro Kalibo and Overall Chairperson of Provincial Alay Lakad 2009, will give the welcome message.

    Governor Marquez is the Provincial Honorary Chairperson while Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo is the Municipal Honorary Chairperson.

    The activity at the Pastrana Park will be capped with Distribution of Special Awards and Certificates of Participation.

    As with the past joint Alay Lakad activities of the province and the municipality of Kalibo, contributions from the participants will be collected. Heads of offices are required to contribute P200.00; assistant heads, P100.00 and rank and file, P25.00. Civic clubs will contribute P1,500.00. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PGMA, NAGPASALAMAT SA MGA ‘DONORS’

    Nagpasalamat si Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sa mga pribado nga donors, volunteers kag international community sa ila padayon nga pagtinguha nga makabulig sa mga biktima sang kalamidad, ilabi na gid ang mga naigo sang mga bagyo nga 'Ondoy' kag 'Pepeng'.

    "Nagpapasalamat tayo sa balikatan ng mga volunteers mula sa private sector at civil society, at mula sa ibang mga bansa," siling sang Presidente antes sya nagbaton sang P5 ka milyon nga tseke halin sa Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) sa isa ka simple nga seremonya sa 'Oplan Sagip Bayan' headquarters sa Kalayaan Hall, Malacanang.

    Sa ginhiwat nga turnover ceremony, si FPI President kag concurrent San Pablo Manufacturing Co. President kag Chief Executive Officer Jesus Lim Arranza ang nagpahibalo sa Presidente nga ang FPI maga deliver man sang 5,000 nga construction supplies pareho sang steel bars, semento kag lansang sa 'Oplan Sagip Bayan' headquarters.

    Samtang, and Coconut Industry and Investment Fund (CIIF) nag donar man sang P200,000 nga balor sang cooking oil kag margarine para nga i-repack. (PIA/vgv)

DOJ, MAGABUTANG SANG MADAMO NGA MANUG-MONITOR SANG PRESYO

    Ginadugangan subong sang gobyerno ang numero sang mga tawo halin sa National Bureau of Investigation nga naka 'assign' sa mga lugar nga apektado sang bagyo agud mag-monitor sang presyo sang mga balaklon kag magdakop ang mga nagkasala nga mga establismento.

    Sa isa ka press briefing sa Malacanang, si Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera nagsiling nga pagkatapos sang pagpanamad sang mga bagyo nga Ondoy kag Pepeng, ginpatuman ang price control sa Metro Manila kag Luzon bangud sa idalum ang nasyon sang 'state of calamity'.

    Suno sa iya, una nga ginbutang ang NBI sa National Capital Region pero pagadugangan ang ila numero kag igabutang sa iban pa gid nga lugar sa Northern Luzon agud masiguro nga ang presyo sang mga nagapanguna nga kinahanglanon mangin 'steady.'

    Gin notar sang hepe sang DOJ nga ang mga ahente sang gobyerno una nga nag imbistigar sa mga supermarket, groceries kag merkado publiko kag nakapanakop na sa mga nakasala nga establismento.

    Suno sa iya, ang NBI nakadakop na sang 60 nga naglapas sang laye kag naga 'finalize' na subong ang ahensya sang report sini kag mahimo nga mag 'subpoena' sang mga tawo.

    Gindugang ni Devanadera nga may ginpreparar na sila nga kaso batok sa mga nagkasala nga mga establismento.

    Suno pa gid kay Devanadera, ang iya departamento nagapakig upod sa DTI, Department of Agriculture kag Department of Health sa pag monitor sang presyo sang mga balaklon kag sa pagpangita sang reasonable nga ceiling prices agud mapahagan-hagan ang kalisud sang mga biktima sang bagyo. (PIA/vgv)

Be vigilant, DTI tells Aklan consumers

    Kalibo, Aklan – Aklanon consumers should be vigilant, buying only good quality products and reporting to proper authorities when they have something to complain about the products or services they have availed.

    The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here, through Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena Jr. issued this appeal to Aklan consumers as the country observes this month of October Consumer Welfare Month.

    Cadena said the DTI is on a more intensified monitoring of establishments especially with the forthcoming Christmas season.

    He advised Aklanons to buy only Christmas lights with quality check marks or those containing an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC).

    "Buy only from authorized dealers", Cadena told consumers over a radio program here at IBC-DYRG hosted by the Philippine Information Agency.

    With the recent declaration of President Gloria Macapacal Arroyo placing the entire country under a State of National Calamity with the destruction to lives and properties wrought by Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, the DTI is also conducting daily monitoring of prices of manufactured goods in establishments in Aklan for violators of automatic price ceiling of goods.

    Cadena said that during the first day of monitoring, there was 100% compliance of the automatic price ceiling, but on Monday and Tuesday, the monitors of DTI found three offenders.

    Offenders, according to him, could be penalized from P20,000 to P1 million and suffer imprisonment of 10 years if found to be violating the automatic price ceiling. He assured however, that due process will be applied by the DTI.

    Cadena called on the local media to help the government spread the information about automatic price control not only of manufactured goods under the jurisdiction of DTI but also of agricultural and forest products and medicines under the watch of DA, DENR and DOH respectively.

    He also called on business establishment owners not to exploit the current situation for their own opportunities.

    "Please be conscious that this Automatic Price Control will be here for a while, let us help our countrymen now, so we could all go back to our normal lives," Cadena appealed to businessmen. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

U.N., NAGDAYAW SA GOBYERNO SA MADASIG KAG EPEKTIBO SINI NGA PAGTABANG SA MGA BIKTIMA NI ‘ONDOY’

    Gindayaw ang gobyerno sang Pilipinas sang United Nations sa paghimo sang madasig kag epektibo nga rescue kag relief operation sa mga biktima sang Typhoon Ondoy.

    Sa iya nga pagdiskurso sa ginhiwat nga Manila Flash Appeal launch sa Sofitel Hotel sa Pasay City sang Oktubre 7, si Dr. Jacqueline Badcock, UN Resident Representative, nag notar nga ang 'sense of national unity halin sa pinakamataas nga lebel sang gobyerno pakadto sa mga kabarangayan nangin 'inspirational'.

    Si Anne Veneman, executive director sang UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) nag-ugyon man sa obserbasyon ni Dr. Badcock. Suno sa iya, dalayawon ang ginhimo sang gobyerno bisan nga kadamo sang mga tawo nga talatapon sini sa madamo kag malayo nga mga lugar nga dapat kadtuan sa pareho man nga tiyempo.

    Si Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., chairman sang National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), ang nagpasalamat sa U.N. sa mga bulig sini sa Pilipinas sa tiyempo kon diin ang kapabilidad sang nasyon ang gindala gid sa iya limitasyon.

    Pormal kag una nga gin lunsar ang Flash Appeal sa Geneva. Tuyo sini nga makatipon sang $74 milyon nga balor sang bulig sa cash man kag sa iban pa gid mga butang halin sa international community agud masabat ang mga kinahanglanon sang halos isa ka milyon nga mga pumuluyo nga grabe ang naagyan sa bagyo.

    Suno kay Dr. Badcock, madasig ang pag-abot sang humanitarian assistance halin sa mga departamento kag ahensya sang gobyerno, Red Cross, NGOs kag mga pribado nga mga tawo. "All these has been underpinned with a remarkable sense of volunteerism and solidarity," siling ni Dr. Badcock.

    Presente man sa paglunsar kag sa pagsabat sang mga pamangkot sa media kanday Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, kag Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

    Gintambungan ang paglunsar sang mga katapu sang diplomatic corps, ahensya sang gobyerno, kag socio-civic organizations. (PIA/vgv)

DONASYON PARA SA OPLAN SAGIP BAYAN, NAG-ABOT NA SA P55.15 M

    Nag-abot na sa P55.15 milyon ang balor sang donasyon sa "Oplan Sagip Bayan" para sa mga biktima sang Typhoon Ondoy sang Oktubre 6, suno sa report ni Presidential Management Staff Chief Hermogenes Esperon kay Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

    Sa kabilugan nga ini, P244,368 ang mga pagkaon kag mga non-food relief items halin sa Office of the President, Department of Social Welfare and Development, kag isa ka anonymous donor.

    Ang OP Asset Management nagpadala sang 33 ka kahon sang bottled water (500 ml.) kag 37 ka kahon sang 250 ml nga nagabalor sang P14,590; si OP Deputy Executive Secretary Susana Vargas for Administrator and Finance, 1,100 ka botelya sang 350 ml tubi nga nagabalor sangP4,800.00; isa ka wala nagpakilala nga donor ang nagpadala sang 200 sako nga bugas nga nagabalor sang P182,500; kag ang DSWD nga nagpadala sang 315 sako sang used clothing nga nagabalor sang P30,000.

    Sang alas 7 sang aga sang Oktubre 7, may 10,117 ka bag sang repacked relief goods ang ginpadala sa anum ka mga lugar, nga nagdala sa kabilugan nga numero sang naserbehan nga pamilya sa 144,846.

    May kabilugan nga 2,350 nga family packs ang nakarga sa tatlo ka mga truck pakadto sa Montalban. May kadugangan nga 1,754 presidential packs kag 1,004 family packs ang ginpreparar man nga igakarga.

    May 143 nga mga volunteers halin sa Department of Public Works and Highways, Parola Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines, opisyales sang barangay sa Baseco compound, Land Bank of the Philippines, staff ni Rep. Dato Arroyo, National Youth Commission, mga scholars sang TESDA, Singles for Christ, mga pumuluyo sang Nagtahan kag Binondo, kag mga estudyante halin sa Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, Centro Escolar University kag San Beda College. Ang kabilugan nga numero sang mga volunteer nag-abot na sa 5,645. (PIA/vgv)

RESETTLEMENT PARA SA MGA PAMILYA IT MARIKINA RIVERBANK, NAG-UMPISA EON

    May 145 sa 400 nga mga pamilya sa mga bibi it suba it Marikina ro nag-umpisa eon nga maghalin sa andang bag-o nga mga baeay sa pagdaea kanda it National Housing Authority ag gobyerno it Marikina City sa Southville 4, sangka 35-hektarya nga NHA project.

    Si Karen Dainona, sang third year high school nga estudyante it Fortune High School sa Marikina hay owa gid kapugong sa a kaugalingon sa pagpaabot ku anang pagpasaeamat kay Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo nga nagmando ku andang resettlement halin sa bibi it suba it Marikina paadto sa bag-o nga lugar.

    Sun okay Karen, owa gid sanda malipati ag gintaw-an gid it it pagpahaega ro andang ikamayad ni Presidente Arroyo.

    Bisan ro Presidente hay idto sa Iloilo sa pagbisita, si Vice President Noli de Castro, nga chairman it Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council ag National Housing Authority hay nagbueos kana sa pagpangtupod it mga relief goods sa mga biktima it bagyo.

    Suno kay Susan Nonato, NHA Deputy area Manager sa South Luzon, ro Southville 4 nga nagasakup sa Barangay Caingin ag Pook hjay ginprograma para sa mga nadisplace nga mga residente it Northrail – Southrail protion it Philippine National Railways nga may kabilugan nga 5,292 nga pamilya. Pero may lugar pa para sa 400 nga pamilya it Marikina nga ginpromisa ku Sabado it Presidente sa anang Cabiniet Meeting it NDCC.

Kada unit hay nagasukat it 21.5 square meters nga nagabili it P175,000 nga pagabayaran sa sueod it 30 anyos ukon P200 kada buean nga may grace period nga sang dag-omn. Ro bueanan nga bayad hay indi pagbutangan it interest sa sueod it limang dag-on, pero ro mga masunod nga dinag-on hay pagasuktan eon it 6% nga interest, suno kay Nonato.

    Ro kabahoe it lote hay halin sa 32 hasta sa 36 metros kwadrados, suno pa gid kay Nonato. (PIA-Aklan)

DONASYON SA ‘OPLAN SAGIP BAYAN’, NAG-ABOT EON SA P55.15 MILYON

    Nag-abot eon sa P55.15 milyon ro donasyon sa "Oplan Sagip Bayan' para sa mga biktima it Bagyong Ondoy ku Oktubre 6.

    Raya hay suno sa report ni Presidential Management Staff Chief Hermogenes Esperon kay Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

    Sa kabilugan ngara, P244.368 ro mga pagkaon ag non-food relief items halin sa Office of the President, Department of Social Welfare and Development ag sangka owa magpakilaea nga donor.

    Ro OP Assets Management nagpadaea it 33 nga ka kahon it bottled water (500 ml) ag 37 ka kahon it 250 ml nga nagabalor it P14,590; si OP Deputy Executive Secretary Susana Vargas for Administrator and Finance nagpadaea it 1,100 nga botelya it 350 ml nga tubi nga nagabalor it P4,800, may owa nagpakilaea nga donor nga nagpadaea it 200 sako it bugas nga nagabalor it P182,500, ag ro DSWD nga nagpadaea it 315 sako it used clothing nga nagabalor it P30,000.

    Ku alas 7 it agahon it Oktubre 7, may 10,117 nga mga pinutos nga relief goods ro ginpadaea sa an-um nga ka lugar nga nagdaea sa kabilugan nga numero it pamilya nga nabuligan nga 144,846.

    May kabilugan man nga 2,350 nga family packs ro ginkarga sa tatlong ka truck nga nagpaadto sa Montalban. May kadugangan man nga 1,754 presidential packs ang 1,004 nga family packs ro ginapahaum man nga inugkarga, sun okay Esperon.

    May 143 nga volunteers halin sa DPWH, Parola Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines, opisyales it barangay sa BASECO compound, Land Bank of the Philippines, staff ni Rep. Dato Arroyo, National Youth Commission, mga scholars it TESDA, Singles for Christ, mga residente it Nagtahan ag Binondo, ag mga estudyante halin sa Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, Centro Escolar University ag San Beda College. Nag-abot eon ro kabilugan nga numero it volunteers sa 5,645. (PIA-Aklan)

DUQUE, NAGPASALIG SANG SUPPLY SANG BULONG PARA SA BIKTIMA SANG BAGYO

    Si Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III ang nagpasalig sining karon lang nga may nagakaigo nga supply sang bulong para sa linibo nga mga pumuluyo nga ara sa mga evacuation centers kag karon nagaantus sang lain-lain nga balatian.

    Suno kay Duque, ang gobyerno kag mga pribado kag non-government organizations padayon nga nagabakal sang mga bulong agud mapabilin ang nagakaigo nga stock sang bulong para sa respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, skin infection kag minor injuries.

    Partikular nga gin mentionar ni Duque ang Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) kag ang mga miyembro sini bangud sa ila padayon nga donasyon sang bulong para sa mga biktima sang bagyo.

    Ang DOH sang temprano ang nagreport nga 6,725 nga mga tawo sa evacuation centers ang nagabalatian.

    Gin-ako ni Duque nga 50 porsyento sang kabilugan nga nagamasakit nga mga tawo ang gin report nga may upper respiratory tract infection. Ginsiling niya nga wala sang outbreak sang mga balatian sa evacuation centers.

    Gindugang pa gid ni Duque nga ang mga medical teams halin sa DOH nga ara sa evacuation centers ang padayon nga naga monitor sang sitwasyon agud maka asister sa mga nagabalatian kag mga tigulang. Nagpadala man sang mga government doctors sa mga relief centers para maghimo sang mga stress debriefing sa mga biktima sang baha.

    Ginpadumdum ni Duque ang mga biktima sang baha nga magmentenar sang matinlo nga lawas paagi sa pag init sang tubi agud gamiton sa pagluto kag pag-inom, paghugas sang kamot sang habon kag tubi antes kag pagkatapos kaon kag pagkagamit sang kasilyas, paggamit sang kasilyas kag portalets kag pagsuksok sang mga bayo nga makaabang sa dengue. (PIA/vgv)

Price monitoring in Aklan yields no violators, says DTI

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has found no violators of the Automatic Price Control of basic goods during their monitoring of prices here in grocery stores and wet markets in the province.

    DTI's monitoring of prices of basic goods came as an offshoot of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's declaration of a State of National Calamity through Proclamation No. 1898 on October 2, 2009.

In an emergency meeting of the Local Price Coordination Council (LPCC) here, DTI Provincial Director Diosdado Cadena told members that when an area is declared under a State of Calamity, automatic price control of basic goods is imposed.

PGMA's proclamation covers the whole country so the DTI in Aklan, as in other parts of the country, has started monitoring prices, along with other agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), tasked to monitor prices of firewood and charcoal; Department of Health (DOH), tasked to monitor prices of basic medicines; and the Department of Agriculture (DA), tasked to monitor prices of basic agricultural products.

In the province, the DTI's regular personnel tasked to monitor grocery stores and wet markets are augmented by the agency's staff hired under its Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).

"Major establishments in Kalibo are 100% compliant of the automatic price ceiling of basic goods," said Director Cadena, based on their initial monitoring.

According to the DTI, should traders be found violating the automatic price ceiling of basic goods, the monitoring staff will file an incident report signed by the staff and the store manager, and within 24 hours, enforcement officers from the agency will come to verify the report.

If the report is justified, charges will be filed, and the business establishment might have its business permit cancelled, according to Cadena.

"Adjudication will be held at the DTI Regional Office, so it will be time consuming", he said.

To avoid this, Cadena appealed to business establishment owners to follow the Automatic Price Ceiling of basic goods, lists of which they have already distributed to grocery stores and markets.

On the other hand, the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) here under Police Senior Supt. Efipanio A. Bragais, Jr.reported that they also conducted monitoring of prices at Gaisano Kalibo and the Kalibo Shopping Center and found out that there were no changes in prices of basic goods in Aklan because theprovince is not included in the path of Typhoon Peping.

The PNP assured however, that they will continue monitoring and enforcing price control of basic goods in coordination with the DTI against unscrupulous traders and manufacturers for violation of RA 7581.(PIA/Venus G.Villanueva)

MGA BIKTIMA NGA NANGIN ‘VOLUNTEERS’, NAGDAGSA SA SAGIP BAYAN RELIEF CENTER SANG MALACANANG

    Treinta (30) ka mga biktima sang Bagyo nga si Ondoy nga una nga nagbaton sang relief assistance sang Operation Sagip Bayan Center sang Malacanang ang nagdagsa sa Kalayaan Hall pagkabati sa radyo kag telebisyon nga nagakinahanglan sang kadugangan nga mga volunteer nga maga repack sang donasyon.

    Una sini, ang Presidential Management Staff paagi kay Secretary Hermogenes Esperon ang nag-apelar para sa dugang nga volunteers bangud sa padayon nga pag-abot sang mga relief goods halin sa mga madamo nga donors.

    Ang bag-o lang nag-abot nga mga 30 nga volunteers ang nagbulos sa mga una nga nagbulig sa Center sugod sa semana. Ang mga opisyales sang PMS ang nagsiling nga kalabanan sa mga nahauna nga volunteers nga na-recruit pagkataliwan sang Typhoon Ondoy mga estudyante nga magabalik na sa ila mga eskwelahan.

    Si PMS Asst,. Secretary Willie Oca nga ara sa Center agud ipanawagan ang apelar ni PMS Chief Esperon para sa kadugangan nga mga volunteers ang nagpabutyag nga masadya magtan-aw sang mga biktima nga recipiente sang relief goods sang Sagip Bayan sang Malacanang sang una nga karon nangin mga volunteers na.

    Ang 30 nga mga volunteers naghalin sa Barangay 845 sang Pandacan, Manila. Sila ang una nga batch sang relief goods recipients sang nagbukas ang Center sang September 29, 2009.

    Si Virginia Rotao, 58 anyos sang Sampaguita St., Brgy. 845, Pandacan, ang nagsiling nga nag volunteer siya agud makabulig sa mga biktima nga kapareho niya.

    Suno sa iya, ang iya presensya sa Center indi lamang bangud sa kabalaslan sa bulig nga nabaton niya sang mas temprano halin sa Sagip Bayan Operations kundi nga natural sa mga Pilipino ang magbuligay sa tiyempo sang krisis. (PIA/vgv)     

 

 

 

MGA ‘VOLUNTEERS’ , NAGDAGSA SA OPLAN SAGIP BAYAN

    Bilang sabat sa panawagan ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, may kabilugan nga 315 nga mga 'volunteers' ang nagdagsa sa Kalayaan Hall sa Malacanang agud mag-repack kag magpanagtag sang mga relief goods para sa mga biktima sang bagyo nga "Ondoy" sa idalum sang "Oplan Sagip Bayan."

    Sun okay Cookie Aydinan, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief of staff kag overseer sang relief operations, may 3,000 ka mga relief packs ang gindala sa Ever Gotesco sa Quezon City, 1,000 packs sa Taguig, 700 bags sa Tanay evacuation center, 500 bags sa Montalban, kag 600 bags sa Taytay. May 1,000 nga bags ang ginpanagtag sa Malacanang.

    May unod ang tagsa ka bag nga food items pareho sang bugas, sardinas, noodles kag non-food items pareho sang bayo, towalya, kag habol.

    Ang mga 'volunteers' ginkumpunihan sang mga opisyales kag empleyado sang PMS, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Office of the President, kag Office of the Press Secretary.

    May mga volunteers man nga naghalin sa mga eskwelahan sang Far Eastern University, Centro Escolar University, University of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, San Sebastian College, Philippine Normal University kag Juan Nolasco High School.

    Nakig-upod sa mga volunteers si Presidential Daughter Evangeline Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas, presidential daughter-in-law Maria Victoria Manotoc Arroyo ka gang bata niya nga si Ebie, kag duha ka bata ni Pampanga congressman kag presidential son Juan Miguel Arroyo nga kanday Mikaela kag Monique. Nagkadto man agud magbulig sa relief operations ang mga katapu sang Presidential Security Group ladies club kag ang spouses association sang mga PSG officers kag enlisted personnel.

    Naghapit man didto si Presidente Arroyo kag personal nga nagpasalamat sa mga volunteers. Gin updan siya ni PMS head Hermogenes Esperon.

    Bukas ang "Oplan Sagip Bayan" 24 oras kada adlaw kag magabukas tubtub kinahanglanon. (PIA/vgv)

There is climate change impact on tourism, says DENR

    Kalibo, Aklan –Climate change has a wide range of impact on the tourism industry, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here.

    Discussing climate change as resource speaker in the recently-held Briefing on Climate Change for Information Officers of Aklan, Derlito Rico, DENR-Aklan's newly-designated Chief of Forest Management Sector said some of these impacts include rising sea levels, warmer temperature which causes loss of marine and terrestrial species, increased storm frequency, upland forest degradation and changing weather patterns that affect tourist arrivals.

    Rising sea levels, according to Rico, causes beaches to erode, islands to disappear, and contaminate fresh water sources due to salt water intrusion.

    On the other hand, warm temperature in seas will cause coral bleaching and loss of marine species, while the frequency of storms will cause flooding of roads and closure of transit systems and airport runways which will adversely affect Aklan's tourism industry, anchored on Boracay Island and other eco-tourism sites in the province.

    Rico also stressed that as Climate Change has an impact on tourism, so has tourism an impact on Climate Change. He said these include tourism activities involving speed boats, camp fires, beach parties with torches that cause CO2 emissions and cutting of mangroves.

    To address Climate Change impact on tourism, Rico said the government should encourage green architecture and eco-friendly buildings, reduce green house gases (GHG) emission in transport, accommodation and related tourism activities and conduct information education campaign to all tourism stakeholders.

    Meanwhile, the tourism industry and destinations should promote energy efficiency and use of renewable energy resources to reduce carbon foot prints.

    Local and regional networks of hotels and resorts associations should also be strengthened including the regular use of current atmospheric data; and easement requirements even beyond 40 meters, in the case of beaches, should be strictly followed.

    The briefing on Climate Change was attended by more than 50 participants composed of Information Officers from Aklan's 17 municipalities, national government agencies, provincial offices and Governnment-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs).

    Held at the Conference Hall, 3^rd Flr. of Kalibo Municipal Hall, it was covered by the local media. The briefing was the fourth held by PIA Region 6 following conduct of same activity in the provinces of Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Antique. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)