Two Aklan towns to get new patrol cars

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan's two municipalities, Batan and Madalag, will be have new patrol cars from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

    The announcement was made by Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) Provincial Director Epifanio A. Bragais Jr. during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting held recently at the GCLC Tourism and Training Center in Old Buswang, Kalibo.

    Other municipalities which have no patrol cars were assured to have theirs this year by PSSupt. Bragais.

    The PPOC meeting was the first held for the year by the province, which was reorganized February 8 of this year by Governor Carlito S. Marquez through Executive Order No. 005.

    APPO reported on Aklan's Peace and Order Situation while the Philippine Army reported on Internal Security Operation (ISO).

    According to the APPO, Aklan's total crime volume for 2009 was 2,301; 1,093 of which are index crimes and 1,208 non index. Most prevalent are physical injuries and theft committed mostly in Kalibo, Aklan's capital town, and in Boracay Island.

    A briefing on Child and Women Situation in Aklan and the newly approved "Aklan Children's Code" was also given by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO). (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Peace and orders brings economic progress, says Aklan governor

    Kalibo, Aklan - The economic progress of an area depends on its peace and order, according to Aklan governor Carlito S. Marquez.

    Marquez issued this statement at the opening of the first Provincial Peace and Order (PPOC) meeting of Aklan for the year, held a day after the release February 8 of Executive Order 005 reorganizing the PPOC.

    "Peace and order and public safety is everybody's concern, and the economic recovery of a province is dependent on its peaceful situation", he told members of the council, who flocked to the meeting held at the GCLC Tourism and Training Center in Old Buswang, Kalibo.

    Governor Marquez told council members that Aklan is one of the most peaceful provinces in the country.

    Due to its peaceful situation, Governor Marquez said there is a noted big growth of the tourism industry here, complemented by its twin thrust, agriculture.

    The provincial government looks up to agriculture, with 50-60 of the population depending on it, to help alleviate poverty in Aklan.

    Under Executive Order 005, the newly reorganized council is chaired by Governor Marquez with Vice Governor Gabriell V. Calizo-Quimpo as Vice Chairman with PSSupt. Epifanio A. Bragais, Jr., Provincial Director, Aklan Police Provincial Office; Hon. Maria Maya Bien M. Tolentino, Provincial Prosecutor; Hon. Marieta J. Homena-Valencia, Executive Judge, RTC-Kalibo and LTC Henry G. Dar, 12^th Infantry Battalion, 31D, PA, AFP as members.

    LTC. Dar was represented by Maj. Maximo Andrade, CO of 12^th IB, Camp Jizmundo, Libas, Banga, Aklan who reported on Internal Security Operation (ISO). Evengelina Gallega of the Provincial social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), on the other hand, briefed the members on Child & Women Situation in Aklan and the newly approved "Aklan Chilldren's Code while PSSupt. Epifanio Bragais Jr., Provincial Director, Aklan PPO reported on Aklan's Peace and Order Situatio.

    An open forum followed after the reports. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

BSWM leads cloudseeding

    Kalibo, Aklan --The Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), through 1 PAF Cessna 210 plane, has completed 10 cloudseeding sorties in Cagayan Valley as of February 3, 2010.

    Around 230,560 hectares of rice and 202,471 hectares of corn were already affected in the region, according to a report of DFA RFU II.

    BSWM is preparing for the deployment of a bigger plane that could dispense 500 kilos of salt per sortie.

    In Negros Occidental, cloudseeding operations started on February 1 and 9 sorties have already been completed. The provincial government through Governor Zayco initially funded the hiring of one Cessna for cloud seeding.

    7,000 hectares of rice and 343 hectares of corn in the province were already affected based on the assessment conducted by the Provincial Agricultural Office together with the BSWM. In addition, around 28,000 hectares of newly planted and ratooned sugarcane in the municipalities of Magallon and Himamaylan, Hinigaran and La Castellana were threatened.

    Cloud seeding in the province will continue in the next few months as the El Niño worsens. Relative to this, the BSWM is facilitating the deployment of aircraft to conduct cloud seeding operations over Region 4 and 11.

    The areas affected are Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon in Region 4, and Davao del Sur and Davao del Norte in Mindanao.

    In Aklan, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reported that their respective counterparts have already contacted them about mitigating measures they have prepared for El Niño.

    According to William Castillo, Officer – in- Charge of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) here, the DA has inquired about Aklan's El Niño vulnerable areas, so that the department can introduce or implement agricultural technologies that are adaptable to the hot weather.

    OPA is also advising farmers to plant vegetables and other food crops that do not need much water.

    Presently, OPA is also implementing programs to culture and raise freshwater prawns, catfish and tilapia in interior and hinterland municipalities of Aklan so that the people will have other fish sources when El Niño sets in, making it difficult for fishermen to fish in the seas.

    For its part, DENR-Aklan was contacted by its regional office as to the status of the province's water sources for domestic and agricultural consumption in anticipation of El Niño.

    Although Aklan is said to be moderately affected of the phenomenon, DENR has called on Aklanons to conserve and to recycle water, and plant species that need little water. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PSHS’ Scholars search nets 10 passers in Aklan

    Kalibo, Aklan – The Philippine Science High School (PSHS) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) found a total of 10 successful examinees from Aklan for its 2010-2011 Search for Scholars.

    The ten successful examinees, who are graduating elementary school pupils, came from public and private elementary schools in Aklan.

    As PSHS scholars, the lucky examinees will enjoy a free secondary education from the school as mandated by RA 3661, with emphasis on subjects pertaining to science when the end view of preparing its students for careers in Science and Technology.

    The province' successful examinees include Peter S. Anabo and Regina Marie P. Roselo from the Kalibo Pilot Elementary School (KPES); Nicolas Evan G. Fuentes, Patrick Xavier V. Eleserio and Jan Philip S. Wong of the Aklan Learning Center; Irene Isadora Joy C. Dela Cruz and Michael Andrew P. Ureta of Wadeford School; John Rich N. Barrientos and Lyka Rica S. Salazar of Conperey Learning Center and Mark Lucas I. Ilin of Starglow Center for Academic Excellence.

    In Western Visayas, the nearest PSHS campus is in Iloilo City.

    The PSHS conducts a Search for Scholars annually. For this batch, the examination was held November 7, 2009 at the Northwestern Visayan Colleges, Kalibo, Aklan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan one of the most peaceful province in the country, says Aklan governor

    Kalibo, Aklan -- One of the things that Aklan is proud of is its peace and order situation, Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez revealed in his recent State of the Province Address (SOPA).

    The peaceful situation was helped by the Philippine National Poice with its implementation oof Integrated Patrol System composed of the fixed, mobile and auxiliary components. To further enhance police visibility, barangay peacekeeping action teams have been maintained province-wide.

    The crime volume of 2,508 incidents, according to the governor, is way lower than the national average. On illegal drugs, 20 positive operations were conducted in 2009 and 20 drug pushers/users were arrested.

    Illegal gambling is also constantly and effectively controlled, which is also one reason of the lower crime rate.

    Marquez thanked the Aklan Police Provincial Office, the 12^th Infantry Battalion, 3^rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army for helping maintain Aklan's peace and order. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

NIA project ensuring year-round water supply to start soon

    Kalibo, Aklan – A project of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) here to ensure a year-round supply of irrigation water to Aklan's rice-producing towns will be started this year, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

    According to William Castillo, OIC of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), the project, with an initial funding of P500 million, involves rehabilitation of irrigation facilities to improve agricultural productivity in the barangays under the Irrigation System Operation Efficiency Improvement Project (ISOEIP) of NIA.

    ISOEIP is a government strategy stated in the Medium Term Development Plan 2004-2010 that aims to reduce rural poverty, increase agricultural productivity and enhance food security.

    This project had been endorsed by the Regional Development Council (RDC).

    Last year, the Aklan-Capiz irrigation management office of NIA spent a total of P31.4 million for various irrigation projects in the province including the Panakuyan San Jose Integrated Project in Ibajay, and the Aklan River Irrigation System that will serve farmers in the municipalities of Banga, Kalibo, New Washington, Lezo, Madalag, Malinao, Numancia and Makato.

    Communal irrigation systems and communal irrigation projects were also constructed to benefit farmers in Altavas, Tangalan, Buruanga, Libacao, Malay and Nabas.

    Nationwide, in anticipation of the El Niño, NIA is seen as one of the frontline government agencies to address the climatic problem, with the recent reactivation by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the El Niño Task Force.

    The Task Force was reactivated to coordinate the country's response to the unusually dry weather in the first half of the year.

    A P1.7 billion fund, drawn from various government agencies, will be used for cloud seeding, construction of shallow wells and distribution of organic fertilizers to rice, corn and value crops farmers. It will also fund the purchase and installation of fish cages for fishpond owners.

    NIA will be supporting the initiative by implementing water management measures. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Start conserving, recycling water to beat El Niño, says DENR

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklanons must start conserving and recycling water now before El Niño sets in the province.

    Although said to be moderately affected by the weather phenomenon unlike neighboring Capiz province and Negros Occidental, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here, headed by PENRO Antonio Luis, bared efforts to save water should be practiced now by the Aklanons.

    "Water used to rinse clothes could still be used for washing vehicles, and for flushing the toilet", said Derlito Rico, DENR-Aklan's Chief of Forest Management Sector in a radio interview here.

    Rico said farmers should also select plant species that require little amount of water.

    Presently, DENR-Aklan is nurturing Aklan's watershed areas with the help of local government units and stakeholders to protect major river systems like the Aklan River, Timbaban, Dumalaylay, Nabaoy in Napaan, Malay which supplies water to Boracay Ssland, Tangalan River, Ibajay, Panakuyan and Makato River.

    To protect the river systems, Rico said watersheds must have reinforced vegetation and reforestation to sustain water.

    Watersheds and other forest areas here are also monitored by Bantay-Gubat personnel to prevent lumber poaching and indiscriminate felling of forest trees for charcoal.

    The use of charcoal for cooking is widely practiced here due to the high price of liquefied petroleum gas.

    This practice is being countered now by the DENR through massive information dissemination to prevent destruction of watershed areas that could further aggravate the effects of El Niño. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan prepares for El Niño

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Despite the information that Aklan will only be moderately affected by El Niño, the province is preparing several measures to counter its effects on agricultural crops as well as on fishery products here.

    According to William Castillo, OIC of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), the Department of Agriculture has contacted the province to inquire about El Niño vulnerable areas for possible implementation of technologies adaptable to the hot climate.

Castillo said measures also include selection of plant varieties not needing much water.

Castillo said while other provinces in Western Visayas already suffer from El Niño ill-effects, rains continue to occur in Aklan. He also said that the months of March and April, the perceived height of the phenomenon, is a fallow period for ricefields, so there won't be much farming activities here.

The El Niño occurrence, however, will have advantages on fruit trees like mangoes, said Castillo. Mangoes are known to bear more fruits during the dry season.

For fisheries, the provincial government, with the assistance of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is focusing on the production of freshwater prawns.

Castillo said that from the P3.4 million provided by BFAR to Aklan for livelihood, P2.9 million was turned over to Malinao town for the project, which includes the putting up of a freshwater prawn hatchery.

The putting up of the hatchery is essential, said Castillo, as freshwater prawns or "ulang" fries are sourced yet from Nueva Ecija. Presently, Buruanga town in the western side of Aklan already produces "ulang".

The move to develop "ulang" farms in the upland areas of the province is one means to counter the effect of El Niño, by providing people with alternative source of fishery products when fishermen could no longer fish due to extreme high tides or strong "amihan" winds, according to Castillo.

The province is also strengthening its tilapia and catfish industry in the uplands for additional income of community folks.

"Libacao, which is aiming for a hydropower electric project, whill have a 10 hectare dam essential for the culture of tilapia and "hito" in fish cages," Castillo said. He also revealed that Barangay Aranas in Balete town already maintains a tilapia farm.

Just recently, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo reactivated the the el Niño Task Force to coordinate the country's response to the unusually dry weather in the first half of the year.

Formed in 2001, the task force will still be chaired by the DA.

DA USEC Bernie Fontanilla said agriculture and fisheries are expected to lose between P10 billion and P20 billion, depending on the severity of the dry spell. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Increase in int’l, reg’l flights in Aklan show uptrend in tourism

Kalibo, Aklan -- The uptrend in tourism in Aklan is indicated by its increase in international and regional flights in the province's two airports.

In his State of the Province Report (SOPA), Aklan governor Carlito S. Marquez said the Caticlan Airport in 2009 registered 17,988 flights and 550,084 passengers – 256,458 of which are incoming ones; 96,585 foreign; 145,505 domestic, and 14,388 OFW passengers.

On the other hand, Kalibo International Airport registered 5,203 domestic flights and 360 regional flights in 2009, compared with 2008 which had 2,171 and 132 respectively.

Marquez said that in 2009, inbound passengers for domestic flights numbered 360,265 while inbound passengers for regional flights reached 20,608 compared to 2008's 183,110 inbound domestic passengers and 12,411 inbound regional passengers.

"Outbound domestic passengers registered 377,177 and outbound regional passengers were 20,809 in 2009, a much higher number compared to only 191,685 outbound domestic passengers and 12,839 outbound regional passengers of 2008," Marquez reported.

Last January 15, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was at the Caticlan Airport for the capsule-laying ceremonies of the P2.5 billion Caticlan Airport Development Project (CADP).

The 25-year Build-Operate-Transfer project involves the widening and extension of the Caticlan Airport Runway, construction of 9,200 square meters new two-storey passenger terminal building, and the installation of navigation and air traffic control facilities.

When completed after 7 years, tourism, business and livelihood activities will all the more increase in Boracay and the whole province of Aklan.

The further development of the two airports – bringing more tourists and revenues means more funds for poverty-alleviation projects, scholarships for the poor and more opportunities for indigents to break away from the cycle of poverty, the governor said.

At Kalibo International Airports flights accommodated are the once-a-week flight of Philippine Airlines and the twice a week flights of China Airlines to Taipei, Taiwan. Zestair has regular flights to Incheon, South Korea four times a week.

Some international airlines that previously landed at KIA were Korean Air, Pacific Pearl Airways, TransAsia Airways and Shanghai Airlines.

Presently, phase I of the International Passenger Terminal Building is 100% complete. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan still a “rice-exporting” province, says governor

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan is still a "rice-exporting" province, according to Governor Carlito Marquez in his recently-delivered State of the Province Address (SOPA) here.

    Governor Marquez said Aklan's rice sufficiency level now stands at 117.8%.

    "While consuming 63,313.61 metric tons of our total production of 95,841 metric tons for 2009, we remain a "rice-exporting" province, complementing the rice needs of our other provinces with our excess rice," Marquez told the crowd that jampacked the SP Session Hall here recently to listen to his SOPA.

    Marquez said agricultural modernization and increased production remain the major focus of his administration, with 54% of Aklan's total land area of 181,816 hectares devoted to agriculture.

    With the focus on agriculture, the province continues to implement national programs on rice, (hybrid, inbred, commercial), high-value commercial crops (corn, mango, other fruits and vegetab les), Integrated Pest Management or Kasalikasan, Palayamanan/Kabuhayan, natural farming system, abaca production, modified rapid composting and fisheries.

    "Our hearts and the hearts of our long-suffering farmers are filled with the hope that with the continued implementation of hybrid rice development and other rice programs, we will be able not only to survive pests and climate change but attain new heights in the production of the staple," Marquez said.

    William Castillo, OIC of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) here revealed that one Aklanon farmer had already experienced a palay yield of 180 cavans from a hectare of rice land planted to hybrid rice.

    Marquez also cited the help of the Department of Agriculture for providing Aklan farm inputs and equipment worth P29.7 million, and the P10 million grant for farm-to-market roads which was used for concreting instead of just gravelling which do not last.

    Both the DA and the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council extended to the farmers P503,000 as assistance for livelihood programs, according to the governor.

    The governor also reported that the trend in Aklan's rice production showed a 14.62% jump from 129,318 metric tons in 2008 when Typhoon Frank inundated the rice fields to 148,222 metric tons in 2009.

    In the national scenario, the government had a 3.63 metric tons 2009 forecast of palay yield per hectare compared with 3.07 metric tons in 2000.

    Rice farms have improved yields because of rural infrastructure, technology, and farm support which bring more income to farmers.

    The buying price of palay has increased too, from P8.50 per kilo in 2000 to P17.00 per kilo in 2009, which will also encourage farmers to be more productive. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

RP MEDICAL TEAM, MAPA-HAITI SA ENERO 25

    Magapadulong ang Philippine humanitarian team sa Haiti sa Enero 25 agud maghatag sang bulig medical sa Haiti nga gindalasa sang mabaskog nga linog, suno kay Health Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral.

    Ginsiling ni Cabral nga nalipay gid ang gobyerno nga madamo nga mga tawo ang nagabulig sa proyekto agud mabuligan ang nagakinahanglan sang bulig. Ginsambit ni Cabral ang bulig sang Philippine Airlines (PAL) kag ang Philippine Airlines Foundation (PALF), FedEx kag ang Department of National Defense (DND).

    Ginsugid sang hepe sang DOH nga ang PAL kag PALF ang naghatag sang libre nga ticket para sa bilog nga humanitarian team para sa Manila-San Francisco nga rota. Halin didto, ang grupo magasakay sa connecting flight pa Miami, dayon sa Sto. Domingo sa Dominican Republic. Ginsabat man sang PAL kag PALF ang ticket para sa pagpauli sang grupo halin sa San Francisco pakadto sa Pilipinas.

    Ang FedEx Group naman ang magadala sang karga kag medical supplies sang libre, samtang ang DND, sa pagpamuno ni Lt. Col. Lopez Dagoy ang magaatipan sang karga kon mag abot na ini sa Haiti.

    Gina komponehan ang Philippine Humanitarian team sang general kag orthopedic surgeons, internists, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, nurses, epidemiologists, psychiatrists kag sanitary engineers halin sa DOH nga mga hospital kag facilidad kag local government units. Ang team leader amo si Dr. Emmanuel Bueno, Chiief sang Emergency Department kag Health Emergency Management Service (HEMS) Coordinator sa East Avenue Medical Center. Suno kay HEMS Director Dr. Carmencita Banatin, magatinir ang grupo sa Haiti sang 18 ka adlaw. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Boracay arrivals in 2009: 649,559 foreign, domestic visitors

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Boracay's total number of visitor arrivals last year registered 649,559, based on data released by the Provincial Tourism Office here.

    The visitor arrivals – composed of 192,873 foreign tourists, 432,271 domestic and 24,415 Overseas Filipinos generated a total of P11,941,102,920.60 tourism receipts.

    Foreign visitors' arrival in the island was biggest in the month of January with 23,161. They also came in big numbers in August with 21,428 and in December last year with 18,987. They were smallest in number June of 2009 with 10,415.

    On the other hand, domestic tourists were biggest in number in April with 75,161; May with 68,837 and March, with 41,007. They were smallest in number in August with 22,445.

    January was the preferred month of Overseas Filipinos to go to the island, with 4,283 arrivals; February, 2,735 and March, 2,263. They were scarce however, in the month of September, with 579 only who visited the island.

    In 2008, visitor arrivals reached 634,263, which generated P11,659,910,434.20 in tourism receipts.

    The tourist arrivals in Boracay Island in 2009, which breached the half-million mark, contributed a big portion to the country's tourist arrivals.

    Based on records, tourist arrivals in the country from January to September last year is at 5.2 million. The same period in 2000 had 1.99 million tourist arrivals.

    The big number of tourist arrivals in 2009 made businesses thrive, created more jobs and livelihood opportunities for Filipinos, and generated more investments.

    Tourism investments also reached P555 billion from 2004-2009, which drove the growth of the country's tourism sector and created more jobs, enabling Filipinos to live better lives. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

EL NIÑO TASK FORCE, GINPANUMBALIK SANG GOBYERNO

    Ginpapanumbalik ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sang Enero 26 ang El Niño Task Force agud mag koordinar sa paghulag sang pungsod sa indi kinaangdan nga kainit sang tiyempo sa nahauna nga parte sang tuig.

    Ginpaguwa sang Pangulo ang mando sa ginhiwat nga National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Cabinet Meeting sa Malacanang, suno kay Office of the Press Secretary Officer-in-Charge Secretary Conrado Limcaoco, Jr. sa isa ka press briefing.

    Pagapamunuan ang Task Force sang Department of Agriculture. Gintukod ang Task Force sang 2001.

    Ginsiling ni Limcaoco nga ang pundo nga P1.7 billion, nga halin sa mga nagkalain-lain nga ahensya sang gobyerno ang pagagamiton para sa cloud seeding, paghimo sang mga shallow wells kag pagpanagtag sang organic fertilizers sa mga mangunguma sang humay, mais kag value crops. Gamiton man ang pundo sa pagbakal kag pagbutang sang mga fish cages para sa mga tag-iya sang punong.

    Pagasuportahan ang inisyatibo sang National Irrigation Administration paagi sa pag implementar sang mga tikang sa pagmanehar sang tubig.

    Ginsugid ni DA Undersecretary Bernie Fontanilla nga ang agrikultura kag fisheries ang ginasaligan nga madulaan sang P10-bilyon – P20 bilyon, depende sa kagrabehon sang tig balagtik.

    Sa pihak sang pagprediktar sang kasarangan nga tigbalagtik sang Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA), ginsiling ni Fontanilla nga naga preparar ang departamento sang programa pangkabuhian para sa mga apektado nga mangunguma kag mangingisda.

    Samtang, magabenefisyo naman sa tag-ilinit ang may mga kamanggahan. Agud mangin maayo ang ila produkto, nag promisa ang DA nga hatagan ang mga manug mangga sang mango flower inducers. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

IMPORTANSYA SANG EDUKASYON, GINSAYSAY NI PGMA

    Nagpanawagan si Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sa mga estudyante nga tapuson nila ang ila kurso sa kolehiyo "bangud ang edukasyon amo ang ticket sa maayo nga kabuhi."

    Ginpaabot sang Pangulo ang panawagan sa mga estudyante sang Holy Spirit College of Manila sa Mendiola, ang ikaduha niya sa serye sang mga campus tours sa tuyo nga makapakig-upod sa mga batan-on.

Suno sa Presidente, ang gin-upod nga budget sang Department of Education kag Commission on Higher Education nagdoble sa iya termino, halin sa P90 billion pakadto sa P180 billion.

    Agud maimprobar pa gid ang kalidad sang edukasyon, mas madamo nga mga classrooms ang gintukod – 100,000, ilabi na gid sa mga malayo nga barangay, suno sa iya.

    Gindugang pa gid niya nga ginhanas sang maayo ang mga manunudlo ilabi na gid sa English, Mathematics kag Science agud mapreparar nila ang ila mga estudyante sa global competition. Para sa pinaka pigado, may mga cash allowance man nga ginahatag agud diretso ang ila pag-eskwela.

    Ginsiling sang Presidente nga nagtrabaho sang maayo ang iya administrasyon agud masiguro ang isa ka luwas kag matawhay nga nasyon paagi sa pagtapos sang pagpangkidnap, insurhensiya kag terorismo. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan province may now be categorized first class, says Aklan governor

    Kalibo, Aklan –Aklan may now be categorized as a first class province, Governor Carlito Marquez said in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) which he delivered over a jampacked crowd at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall here composed of provincial legislators, Aklan officials, heads and representatives of national and provincial agencies, Capitol employees and the local media.

    Governor Marquez said this is so because the province has attained and sustained an income of more than P350 million for the last four consecutive years.

    He added that according to the Department of Interior and Local Government, Aklan is excellent.

"In the 2009 annual evaluation of LGUs in Region 6 conduc ted by the said department called Excel or Excellence in local governance awards, Aklan was first runner-up in administrative governance second only to Iloilo, first runner-up in environmental management, second only to Negros Occidental and 2^nd runner-up in best performing province.

    Marquez also cited the other firsts Aklan has attained : it is among the first provinces to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for Philhealth coverage becoming a pilot province; first province in the Philippines to successfully complete a project – the Caticlan Jetty Port PassengerTerminal through bond flotation, listed in a book on LGU Best Practices in fiscal administration; among the first provinces to establish a very successful economic enterprise development; the first province in Region 6 to have its Provincial Hospital computerized;

    First province in Region 6 to computerize its real property tax administration; the first to have been given the privilege of creating a PPA (Philippine Ports Authority) Port, the Caticlan Port; first province to engage in a joint venture with a university (ASU) for the establishment of a nursing college; first province to implement a universal program for Philhealth; and the first province to implement a Bridge Financing with Land Bank for its Hybrid Rice Production Program.

    For these achievements, Marquez said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan should be thanked, for providing the legislative underpinnings that allowed the province to initiate, implement, and complete the programs of development.

    According to Marquez, the Aklan SP made 348 resolutions, 56 appropriation ordinances, 7 general ordinances, and 10 special ordinances. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Despite global crisis, tourism is alive in Aklan

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Despite the global financial crisis and despite tTphoon Frank that devastated Aklan the most among provinces in the region in 2008 – the province has risen, and tourism is alive, Governor Carlito Marquez reported in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) here January 28.

    "Aklan has risen, and this is most obvious in the income collected by our Cagban and Caticlan Jetty Ports. We had expected tourism to suffer the most from the worldwide economic downturn, but thanks be to God, with the skin of our teeth, we were able to post a 7% or a P5.5 million increase in port income, from P77 million in 2008 to P83 million in 2009. This includes terminal, polling cargo, rental berthing and docking, wharfage, anchorage and and other fees," Marquez said.

    Marquez said Aklan's tourism industry is still alive, tourist arrivals in Boracay Island increased by 2% from 634,263 visitors in 2008 to 649,559 in 2009.

    These arrivals brought in P11.9 billion in tourist revenues. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

NFA assures enough rice supply for Aklan for 5 months

Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan has enough rice supply to last for more than five months, according to the National Food Authority (NFA) here.

Based on records of the food agency, their warehouse in Banga, Aklan, as of January 26, has 67,730 bags of palay, 4,113 bags of local rice and 6,276 bags of imported Vietnam rice.

If the palay stocks get milled and converted into rice, the food agency will have a total of 50,301 in its inventory.

Sr. Grains Operations Officer Judith Tindog said the NFA has an average daily sales of 300 bags. Based on these average daily sales, Aklan has enough NFA rice supply for five months and 18 days.

Tindog clarified that this data only involves the stocks of the government only. Commercial rice supply found in households, traders and millers, on the other hand, is monitored by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS).

Presently, NFA is on palay procurement activities in various parts in the province, buying palay for as high as P17.70 per kilogram, depending on the seller's status, if he is a farmer's passbook holder, or a member of a farmer's cooperative.

NFA-Aklan has drying facilities too, which is favorable to Aklan farmers who cannot dry their produce because of frequent rains. For every bag of palay, a farmer only pays P12 pesos. The food agency, however, prioritizes those who intend to sell their produce to them.

Tindahan Natins in Aklan, numbering 52, Institutionalized Bigasan Sa Palengke and Bigasan Sa Barangay constitute NFA-Aklan's regular government rice outlets.

Tindog said NFA rice, sold at P18.25 in Tindahan Natins and P25 in IBSPs is affordable and of good quality.

"Its edge over commercial rice, besides its low price, is that it is iron-fortified", Tindog said.

Certified rice seeds are also available now in NFA-Aklan. Presently, 2,678 bags are available for Aklan farmers. Under the scheme, farmers only pay half of the price of the rice seeds, while the other half is subsidized by the Department of Agriculture. (PIA/Venus g. Villanueva)

P2.5-B dibidendo sang DBP para sa 2009, ginbaton ni PGMA

Ginbaton ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang tseke nga P2.5-bilyon nga dibidendo nga kontribusyon sang Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) sa gobyerno nasyonal para sa 2009.

Ginpresentar ang tseke ni Patricia Sto. Tomas kag Reynaldo David, chairperson kag presidente sang bangko sa Pangulo kag kay Finance Secretary Margarito Teves sa ika 63 nga anibersaryo sini sa DBP Head Office sa Makati.

Ginsiling ni David nga naglab-ot na sa P11.4 billion ang kabilugan nga dibidendo nga nabaton sang gobyerno nasyonal sumugod 2001 tubtub 2009.

Suno kay David, pinakadako ang net income sang DBP sang tuig 2009 nga P6.09 billion, nga nagtaas halin sa P3.6 billion sang nagligad nga tuig. Suno sa iya, bangud ini sa suporta sang Presidente.

Ginhatagan ang Pangulo sang kopya sang Memorandum of Understanding sa tunga sang DBP kag Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), nga magatukod sang isa ka programa sa pagbulig sa mga OFWs.

Mga mini gas station dealerships kag iban pa gid nga proyekto pangkabuhian ang ginapreparar sa idalum sang programa nga ini para sa mga OFWs kag ila mga pamilya.

Sa ginhiwat nga selebrasyon, ginbuksan sang Pangulo ang scale model sang bag-o nga DBP Green Building nga igapatindog sa Fort Bonifacio Global City sa Taguig.

Pagagamitan ini sang eco-friendly architectural design. Magagamit man ini sang solar power.

Ginpakita man sa Pangulo ang gold trowel nga gingamit man sang iya amay, ang nagtaliwan nga Presidente Diosdado Macapagal sa pagbutang sang cornerstone sa subong nga DBP Building 46 tuig na ang nakaligad. Pagagamiton man ni PGMA ang gold trowel kon maglunsar na sang igapatindog nga DBP building.

Ginpakita sa nasambit nga selebrasyon ang kontribusyon sang bangko sa Ten Point Agenda sang Arroyo administration, particular sa apat nga major areas – infrastructure kag logistics, mga eskwelahan kag ospital, micro, small and medium entrepreneurship, kag sa palibot.

Gin establisar ang bangko sang 1947 bilang Rehabilitation Finance Corporation nga magapautang para sa pagpaumwad sang agrikultura, komersyo kag industriya kag sa pagpatindog liwat sang mga propyedad nga nahalitan sa giyera.

Sang 1958, gin –islan ang ngalan sang RFC sang DBP. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan has 316,886 registered voters

Kalibo, Aklan – Aklan's registered voters who would be participating in the country's first-ever automated elections have reached 316,886, based on the Consolidated Quarterly Progress Report of the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor here.

The figure, released by COMELEC-Aklan through Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, is based on the January 9, 2010 ERB Hearing.

Last November 10, 2009, Aklan's registered voters numbered 284,349, as based on the result of the October 19, 2009 ERB Hearing.

The current report shows that Kalibo maintained its stature as the vote-richest municipality in Aklan with 46,530, followed by Ibajay in the western side of Aklan with 25,481 and New Washington, with 23,858.

Closely trailing New Washington is the municipality of Banga with 23,063 registered voters.

Other municipalities and their respective number of registered voters are Malay, with 22,883 voters; Batan, 18,874; Numancia, 18,678; Balete, 17,085; Nabas, 16,300; Makato, 16,150; Libacao, 15,722; Altavas, 14,851; Malinao, 14,442; Tangalan, 11,868; Madalag, 11,615; Buruanga, 11,147 and Lezo, 8,389.

This latest progress report from the COMELEC shows that there are 2,115 established precincts and 492 clustered precincts in the province's 327 barangays. This period, 861 new applicants were approved by the ERB.

Presently, COMELEC-Aklan is embarking on voters' education campaign among various sectors here, to create more awareness about the first automated elections in the country.

Just recently, Malacañang urged the electorate to vote wisely in the coming elections, saying the fate of future generations rests on the decision that will be made by Filipinos in May.

Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Gary Olivar said the people "should never yield their rights and responsibilities as independent thinking voters to anything else whether it's the power of surveys or the blandishment of candidates. "

Olivar was reacting to pronouncements made made by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), in a pastoral letter on Sunday, calling for more vigilance and involvement by Filipinos in the electoral process.

Olivar said the Filipinos owe it to themselves to support the election process through COMELEC. "We must set aside second guessings and intrigues and focus instead on helping in he conduct of a successful elections," he said. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Kalibo has a new fire truck

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The municipality of Kalibo has a new addition to its fleet of firetrucks which was warmly welcomed by this Ati-atihan town led by Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo.

    The new fire truck, according to Kalibo Information Officer Terence Toriano, is an Isuzu with a 1,000 gallon capability designed to respond efficiently to emergencies and fire alarms.

    The availability of the new fire truck was relayed by Fire Senior Supt. Mario Timonera, Chief of Comptroller of the Bureau of Fire Protection. In turn, Mayor Rebaldo requested personnel from the Kalibo Fire Station to go to the Fire Truck Warehouse in Caloocan to take charge of the paperwork and bring the fire truck to Kalibo.

    Several letters of request to BFP National Headquarters from Mayor Rebaldo, coupled with a resolution by Kalibo SB members were instrumental in the release of the firetruck.

    The new fire truck is painted red in accordance with the international color of distress and emergency and includes its own high velocity water pump and engine, collapsible ladder, fire hose, nozzle, fireman's axe and many others. The new fire truck is a welcome development in the municipality.

    Last October 2009, a major street in Kalibo, C. Laserna, which is along Kalibo River, was hit by a big fire, displacing hundreds of families and thousands of household members. (PIA/LGU-Kalibo)

MGA PINOY, NAG IMPROBAR ANG PANGABUHI SA IDALUM SA ADMINISTRASYON NI PGMA

    Nag-improbar ang pangabuhi sang mga Pilipino sa idalum sang 9 ka tuig nga administrasyon ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

    Suno kay Pangulong Arroyo, nagatrabaho siya sang maid-id adlaw adlaw agud mapatin-ad ang pangabuhi sang mga pumuluyo. Ginpabutyag niya ini sa ginhiwat nga vin d'honneur para sa mga diplomatic corps nga ginhiwat sini lang sa Rizal Hall sa Malacanang.

    Suno pa gid sa iya, ang sentro sang iya pagpungko sang 2001 amo ang pag improbar sang ekonomiya, magtuga sang mga trabaho, kag mag-invest sa mga tawo kag pisikal nga imprastratura.

    Ang pagdaku sang ekonomiya, suno sa iya, sa pagsukat sang GDP ukon suma total sang tanan nga produkto kag serbisyo sa nasyon kag numero sang trabaho sa idalum sang iya pagpamuno, ang pinakamataas sa nagtaliwan nga 30 ka tuig.

    Paagi sa pagduso sang mga reporma sa ekonomiya sa mga nauna nga tuig sang iya administrasyon, ginbuligan sang Presidente ang pungsod nga pakigbatuan ang global financial crisis nga nagsugod sang Setyembre sang mas maayo sang sa iban nga mga pungsod.

    Isa ang Pilipinas sa pila lamang ka mga pungsod sa Asya, pati na ang China, nga nakaluwas sa recession. Nagrehistro ini sang 0.7% nga pagdaku sang ekonomiya sa nahauna nga tatlo ka quarters sang 2009.

    Sa iya man pagpamuno, naghimo siya sang mga mabudlay kag ginakontra nga mga desisyon. Gin implementar niya ang expanded value added tax law ukon EVAT, kag nagresulta ini sa P80 billion sa annual revenues para sa gobyerno. (PIA/vgv)

4Ps, other major government programs spell better, healthier lives for Aklanons

    Kalibo, Aklan – Aklan's poor families now have a chance to have better – and healthier lives because of 4Ps.

    4Ps means Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a poverty reduction strategy that provides grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of children aged 0-14 years old.

This is a developmental program that invests in human capital. It enhances the role of parents and helps them accomplish their duties and responsibilities to their children,

In Aklan, residents of two far-flung, hinterland municipalities are currently benefiting from this program.

    These two municipalities are Libacao and Madalag.

    Libacao is a 4^th class interior municipality located 29 kilometers southwest of the capital town of Kalibo with 24 barangays now accessible by transportation except for the remaining 2 which could only be reached by foot. Madalag is also a 4^th class municipality, approximately 29 kilometers from Kalibo, with 25 barangays.

    As an identified 4Ps beneficiary, a household can receive as much as P1,400 for a maximum of three children that includes P500.00 per month for nutrition and health expenses and P300 per month per child with a maximum of three children per household for educational expenses.

    A total of 4,150 households in Aklan coming from the two municipalities are now benefiting from this program.

    Based on records provided by the Department of Socail Welfare and Development Field Office 6, a total of P13,375,200.00 had been released to beneficiaries as of November 2009.

    The cash grants are released to the beneficiaries in batches. The second batch release was even witnessed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who had her first-even Presidential Visit to Libacao for the event on August 7, 2009.

    Libacaonons and Madalagnons have five years to enjoy the program. Meanwhile, surveys for inclusion in the program are still being conducted by the government in other municipalities, so other poor and needy constituents in Aklan could also live better and healthier, especially the children.

    As one beneficiary - a mother, puts it during President Arroyo's visit to Libacao - "the 4Ps is a big help to my family. I have 5 children at 29 with the youngest just 3 – weeks old, and a husband with no permanent job."

    Juvy Agustin, the mother, has to make sure however that her school-age children regularly go to school, or the cash benefits for them will be stopped. If she gets pregnant, she must receive pre and post natal care and be attended during childbirth by a skilled professional, and must also attend responsible parenthood seminars and mother's classes.

    The 4Ps is just one of the programs of the government that has made the lives of Aklanons and the Filipinos in general better, this program being implemented in all parts of the country.

    Besides the 4Ps, the government has also provided Day Care and Grade 1 pupils a kilo of rice daily under the Food For School Program, with some 11.5 million beneficiaries from 2004 to 2009. The program serves as an incentive for children to stay in school.

    Meanwhile as of December 31, 2009, 99.39% of barangays nationwide had been electrified, resulting to better quality of life and progress.

    Waterless municipalities had been provided with water, covering some 319 municipalities. On the other hand, beneficiaries under the Kalahi-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services reached 5, 555 as of June 2009, benefiting 1.14 households. This program brought social development through community projects, empowering poor communities.

    In education, there is already a 1:1 ratio in textbooks for Elementary pupils for English and Sibika subjects while high school books like English, Math and Science have a ratio of 1:1. Teachers, on the other hand, now enjoy a monthly salary of P14,198.00 upon entering the service, compared with P9,939.00 monthly salary nine years ago.

    For school year 2008-2009, Educational Contract grantees numbered 508,808 while beneficiaries under GASTPE educational voucher system as of December 2009 reached 513,971, providing a better access to secondary education.

    Nationwide, there are 323,684 classrooms, with 100,000 new classrooms built under President Arroyo's term. Adequate classrooms provide a better learning environment.

    There are now a total of 81.64 million Philhealth members compared with 29.6 million in 2000, ensuring a bigger number of Filipinos to avail quality healthcare. To make affordable medicines accessible to Filipinos, there are now 15,000 outlets of Botika ng Barangay (BnB) scattered in all parts of the country.

    In Aklan, most barangays have BnBs. Too, most municipalities are recipients of the CIDSS program and the Food-For-School. Most Aklanons are Philhealth members and beneficiaries, with the provincial government under Governor Carlito Marquez aiming for universal coverage under the program. Private schools in Aklan are also offering Education Service Contracting for high school students; teachers are enjoying better salaries today. All these are seen as a means to ensure better quality of life for every Filipino and every Aklanon. (PIA/ Venus G. Villanueva)

Pagbangon sang electrononics firms, magapadamo sang trabaho

    Nagabangon na ang sektor sang electronics kag magakahulugan ini sang kadugangan nga trabaho.

    Sa iya mensahe sa Muntinlupa City Job Fair sang sini lang, ginsiling ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo nga ginpapagsik sang gobyerno ang sektor sang electronics kag ang bug-os nga manufacturing industry paagi sa pag adoptar sang nagakaangay nga 'economic kag financial' nga stratehiya.

    Nanotaran sang Pangulo nga ang job fair makatuga sang 1,500 nga trabaho sa electronics kag sa iban pa nga sektor.

    Suno kay Pangulong Arroyo, ang mga establismento nga nagahimo ukon naganegosyo sa electronics ang pinaka apektado sang global financial crisis. Ginpaathag niya nga bangud sa pagbuhin sang mga order sang United States kag iban pa nga mga inudustriyalisado nga mga nasyon sang mg parte nga ginagamit sa paghimo sang mga computer kag monitor, TV sets kag DVD players kag iban pa gid nga mga produkto, wala sang mahimo ang sektor sang electronics kundi magbuhin sang mga empleyado.

    Ginpabutyag man sang Pangulo nga ang pagkinahanglan sang mga electronic products nga una nga nanotaran sang Nobyembre sang nagligad nga tuig ang magapadayon sa pagbangon halin sa krisis sang kalibutan.

    Suno pa gid sa Pangulo, sa posisyon ang Pilipinas sa pakigsumpong sa krisis bangud sa mga palisiya nga ginhimo sang iya administrasyon kag gin-implementar nga nauna sang tinuig kag binulan.

    Ang palisiya, suno sa iya, ginkumpunihan sang pag adoptar sang Value Added Tax (E-VAT) law kag ang pagdugang sa pag gastos para sa infrastructure development.

    Paagi sa pag –implementar sang infrastructure projects, nakatuga ang gobyerno sang trabaho nga nagbulig sa mga nagapangalisod nga mga Pilipino kag iban pa nga mahuyang nga sektor batok sa grabe nga epekto sang global economic crisis.

    Gin updan ang Pangulo sa Job Fair nanday Labor Secretary Marianito Roque kag Muntinlupa City Mayor Alvin Dela Cruz. (PIA/VGV)

ICBAN, GINHINGALANAN NGA ACTING PRESS SECRETARY NI PGMA

    Pagabuslan ni Crispulo Icban Jr., editor in chief sang Manila Bulletin ang nagtaliwan nga si Press Secretary Cerge Remonde sa acting capacity.

    Ginhimo ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang pag anunsyo sa panyaga nga iya gintanyag para sa Malacanang Press Corps sa Palasyo.

    Ikasiyam nga press secretary si Icban sa idalum ni Presidente Arroyo. Ang mga nauna sa iya amo kanday nagtaliwan na nga si Noel Cabrera, Rigoberto Tiglao, Silvestre Afable, Ignacio Bunye (nagserbe sang duha ka beses), Hernani Braganza, Milton alingod, Jesus Dureza, kag Remonde.

    Natawo siya sa Tondo, Manila sang Agusto 3, 1935. Nag graduate siya sa Tarlac Central Elementary School sang 1946 kag sa Pampanga High School sang 1950.

    Nag graduate siya sa University of the Philippines (UP-Diliman) sa Bachelor of Arts in English, mag cum laude sang l954.

    Pagka graduate, nagsulod siya sa Manila Times bilang general assistant sa editorial department, sang ulihi bilang reporter kag editorial writer.

    Nakabaton si Icban sang madamo nga award sa pagserbisyo bilang journalist. Ginpadunggan man siya bilang Outstanding Kapampangan sang Pampanga Provincial Government; 1988; kag Distinguished Tarlaquenos sang Tarlac Provincial Government sang 2003. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Wheelchairs from PGMA made Malaynons happy

    Caticlan, Malay, Aklan -- Three people, including a five-year-old boy, went home happy today when they went home in wheelchairs courtesy of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

    The wheelchairs were distributed to the 2 elderly ana d a young boy unable to walk since birth during the "Common Tao Day" held at the Caticlan Elementary School, which was graced by PGMA.

    "The "Common Tao Day" was one of the major activities held in Caticlan, Malay, the jump-off barangay to Boracay Island when PGMA visited Aklan this year.

    She first led in the launching and capsule-laying ceremonies of the Caticlan Airport Development Project in Malay, Aklan.

    The airport development in Caticlan involves the phased development and expansion of the existing airport, more particularly the improvement of existing terminal building, construction of runway extension and the widening, development of new land side facilities including the construction of new passenger terminal building, vehicular parking area and other ancillary facilities.

    At the "Common Tao Day" some 1,500 indigents received gift packs after availing of the medical dental and optical mission offered by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

    Recipients of the wheelchairs, including their relatives, expressed happiness over the wheelchairs given them.

    The grandmother of Claine Magat, the 5-year old boy said it would be now easier for her to bring her grandson when they go visiting different places.

    "Nakakamusta pa ako kay Presidente" (Iwas even able to shake the hand of the President), Claine's grandmother said. She also added that if not for PGMA, her grandson will never own a wheelchair.

    The children and grandchildren of Cruz Prado, 58 years old and blind, were also happy that Mr. Prado will have an easier time of moving around.

    Prado was born blind and just recently, he suffered a stroke and he was no longer able to walk.

    Another recipient, Faustino Constantino, 79, also expressed his happiness over the wheelchair. Although unable to talk well because of a stroke he suffered, he said in his small voice how thankful he is for PGMA's gift to him. Because of the stroke, he is also unable to walk, so the wheelchair will be a big help to him, according to his son Zaldy.

    Medicines were also provided to the indigent patients who availed of the medical mission in the "Common Tao Day".

    Medical kits were also distributed to barangays. After the activity at the Caticlan Elementary School, PGMA motored to the Caticlan Airport to take a chopper to the Kalibo International airport to Manila. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Tour guide, construction worker thank PGMA for Caticlan Airport development

    Caticlan, Malay, Aklan -- Two residents of Malay who would benefit much in the development of the Caticlan Airport thanked President Arroyo for initiating and supporting the project.

    Maricar Tesorero, who was interviewed on stage by PGMA herself, said being a tour guide at the Caticlan Airport is her source of livelihood.

    She said it is also the source of livelihood of her co-members of the Boracay Mabuhay House Association.

    "Noong walang flights sa Caticlan, wala rin kaming trabaho. Pumupunta na lang kami sa Kalibo to watch for walk-in guests. Salamat sa opportunity na ito at sana ay hindi na mawala ang Caticlan Airport," Tesorero said to PGMA.

    With the construction of the Caticlan airport in various phases which will reach 7 years, PGMA also said this will provide jobs to carpenters and construction workers.

    Paul, one of the construction workers in Caticlan who would be benefiting from this, was also interviewed by PGMA. According to Paul, the development of the Caticlan Airport is a good opportunity for him and his fellow workers, and he thanked the President for the project.

    In her message, PGMA said that as Aklanons have recovered from Typhoon Frank, "we look forward to another source of making this golden island more golden", apparently referring to Boracay Island, which will be the biggest beneficiary once the airport is fully developed.

    The Caticlan Aiurport Development Project will be implemented by its proponent, the Caticlan International Airport Development Corporation (CIADC0 through the BOT Scheme, Contract-Add-Operate-and –Transfer. Its financing source will be 100% CIADC with an estimated cost of P2.507 billion. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Kalibo fire victims get P1 M assistance from Provincial Government

Kalibo, Aklan –A total of P1,002,500.00 financial assistance from the Provincial Government of Aklan was recently turned over to the municipality of Kalibo for 401 fire victims whose houses in C. Laserna Street were razed by fire October 31 of last year.

The check, which was turned over by Aklan governor Carlito S. Marquez to the municipality of Kalibo, was received by Sangguniang Bayan member Lillian Q. Tirol.

The simple turnover was witnessed by Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Elma S. Malbas, Provincial Treasurer Suzette F. Pioquid, Kalibo Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Lolly Espina and Municipal Treasurer Elsa Tabuena.

Members of the local media also witnessed the turnover.

According to Espina, each of the 401 fire victims/house owners will receive P2,500.00 from the Provincial Government's financial assistance. The amount will be used to buy housing materials of the fire victims.

The fire victims identified are from Puroks 2, 3, 4 and 5 of C. Laserna, a street along the Aklan River.

Governor Marquez said the amount is the province's counterpart assistance to the municipality of Kalibo under Mayor Raymar Rebaldo.

The municipality of Kalibo, on the other hand, provided relief and other assistance to the fire victims. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PGMA to hold “Common Tao Day” in Aklan

    Kalibo, Aklan -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be holding a "Common Tao Day" in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan as she visits Aklan today, January 15, her first in 2010.

    PGMA will also lead the launching and capsule-laying ceremonies of the Caticlan Airport Development Project.

    For the "Common Tao Day", some 1,500 beneificiaries will be receiving gift packs from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCS0) to be personally handed by PGMA to the recipients.

    The recipients, who will be coming from barangay Caticlan and adjacent barangays of nearby municipalities will be identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

    The PCSO will also hold a medical/dental and optical mission in the area. The activity will be held at the Caticlan Elementary School.

    According to Ruben Manahan, PCSO consultant, senior citizens in the area will be prioritized in the optical mission, who will also be provided reading eye glasses after consultation.

    Identified barangays will also be given medical kits by the PCSO. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

BIR, NAGAHIMO SANG REPORMA SA PAGPATAAS SANG KOLEKSYON

    Maga implementar ang Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) sang pila ka mga tikang agud ma abot ang iya sini nga P830-billion nga collection target sa tuig nga ini.

    Ginasaligan ang BIR nga makakita sang 60% nga galastuhon sang gobyerno nga may P1.54 trillion sa tuig nga ini.

    Sa isa ka briefing upod sa mga palace reporters,, ginsiling ni Acting Economic Planning Secretary Augusto Santos nga ang mga administratibo nga tikang magapataas sang revenue kag magatabon sa budget deficit nga nagahangkat subong sa international credit ratings sang pungsod. Himuon sini ang nasyon nga mangin "attractive" sa mga manug negosyo diri kag magapataas sang pagsulod sang foreign direct investments (FDIs).

    Sang mas temprano sini, ginpanan-aw sang Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ang FDIs nga maabot sa $1.8 billion kag $2 billion sa tuig nga ini.

    Pila sa mga tikang nga ini amo ang 1) compulsory business registration; 2) reshuffling sang BIR personnel; 3) paglagas sang mga nagalikaw sa buhis nga lokal nga negosyante kag government owned and controlled corporation executives; 4)business inventory checking; kag 5) mas istrikto nga pag-implementar sang tax imcentives.

    Sa pihak nga bahin, ginsiling ni Santos nga ang negosyo sa palibot sang Mayon Volcano nagtaas 30% sa year-on-year basis, sa pagsulod sang P75,000 nga mga turista sang Disyembre. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan officials pledge full support to MSMEs products, producers

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Local officials here pledged their full support to Aklan's Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The officials, led by Aklan Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores, Governor Carlito S. Marquez (represented by Provincial Administrator Diego M. Luces) and Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo aired their assurance during the opening of the Kalibo Ati-atihan Product Showcase here January 12 at the Kalibo Pastrana Park.

Rep. Miraflores said the Kalibo Ati-atihan Product Showcase, with its new showroom displaying piña products, abaca bags and slippers and other novel items, has always his full support.

For her part, Vice Governor Calizo-Quimpo said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, which she presides, is very supportive of the MSMEs' efforts as well as their products which have also made a mark in the national and regional markets.

Atty. Luces, representing Governor Marquez, on the other hand, told the MSMEs that the Kalibo Ati-atihan Product Showcase is a wonderful time for them to show the beautiful products of Aklan.

Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, who was to deliver the welcome message, was represented by Sangguniang Bayan member Emmanuel Soviet Russia dela Cruz.

De La Cruz said the event is a chance for MSMEs to earn while celebrating the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival and at the same time providing guests and visitors the opportunity to bring home products and other souvenir items they could treasure.

One exhibitor, Randy Culdora, said he had been joining the Ati-atihan Product Showcase since 2002. According to him, the product showcase is a good opportunity to market his piña loom woven cloth, barongs and gowns made of piña and other fiber-based items. Through the showcase, he could get booked items and instant buyers. To maximize marketing of his products, his establishment, the Culdora Piña Cloth, is now maintaining a website which was established through the One Town, One Product Product (OTOP) program under the Department of Trade and Industry.

The product showcase, which targets to generate P1.44 M sales, is now on its 21^st year of existence, having been started in 1989.

Some 34 exhibitors are joining this year's showcase, according to DTI-Aklan Provincial Diorector Diosado P. Cadena.

Aside from Aklan's local officials, the opening was also graced by DTI 6 Regional Director Dominic P. Abad. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Climatic conditions affecting fish prices in Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan -- Climatic conditions in Aklan has affected fish prices and supply here, according to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

In its latest monitoring (December 2009), the OPA reported that the low supply of fish in the market, caused by erratic fishing activities brought by unfavorable weather conditions, has rendered prices of the commodity to increase.

Of the 18 fish types monitored by OPA, the lowest priced fish, tamban, was priced at P30/kilo in its November report. In the December monitoring however, its price reached P50.00 per kilo, which registered a P20.00 increase.

Two fish types – the danggit and mamsa, registered the highest price at P180.00 per kilo, up by P20.00 from their previous price of P160.00. On the other hand, batwanon, another fish type, had a P40.00 increase, from P100.00 in November to P140 in December 2009.

On the other hand, prices of vegetables and root crops were reported stable by OPA.

"If there are changes, they are very minimal and can be considered as acceptable price levels," said William Castillo, Sr. Agriculturist and Officer-in-Charge of OPA-Aklan.

Castillo said some commodities have increased in prices while others have gone down depending on the supply in the market. He emphasized that the price changes are at manageable levels.

Other agricultural commodities monitored by OPA include cash crops, root and tuber crops, sugar, rice, corn, fruits, dried fish, fertilizer, insecticides and herbicides. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Ati-atihan Product showcase opens January 12 in Kalibo

Kalibo, Aklan -- The Kalibo Ati-atihan Product showcase will formally open January 12 at the Kalibo Pastrana Park here.

The activity has become one of the main attractions of the world-famous Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry-Aklan and the Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc. for the Kalibo Ati-atihan Management Board of the Municipality of Kalibo.

The showcase will highlight the newly-developed indigenous abaca, piña, and raffia cloths and souvenir items, gifts, housewares and furnishings; and processed foods.

DTI-Aklan Provincial Director diosdado Cadena, Jr. said some 37 Aklan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will be joining the showcase.

At the opening 2 p.m. January 12, the short program at the Pastra Park will have Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo to welcome the guests, buyers and MSMEs, while Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores, Governor Carlito s. Marquez and Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo will be giving inspirational messages.

The product showcase targets this year to generate some P1.44M sales, a 10% increase from last year's sales of P1.040M.

This 2010, the capital town of Kalibo is marking the 798^th year of the Kalibo Sto Niño Ati-atihan Festival. The celebration starts from January 11-17, which will be capped Sunday, January 17 with holy masses, paeapak, continuous streetdancing, procession, and finally, in the evening, the announcement of Ati-atihan winners at the Magsaysay Park amidst snakedancing accompanied by live bands. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PGMA, pagapirmahan ang laye sa pagpaiway penalidad sa kontribusyon sa SSS

Ginasaligan nga pirmahan ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sa Enero 7 ang laye nga magapaiway sang penalidad sa bulanan nga premiums nga ginabayad sang mga empleyado kag mga ulobrahan sa Social Security System (SSS) bilang resulta sang pagdugang sang SSS premiums sang Hulyo.

Ang SSS Premium Contribution Penalties Condonation Bill ginsulat ni Deputy Speaker kag Mindoro Rep. Amelita Villarosa kag gin-co-sponsor nanda Reps. Roman Romulo kag Felix Alfelor, Jr.

Pagasaksihan ang pagpirma sang presidente sang SSS.

Liwat man nga pagatan-awon ni Presidente Arroyo ang relocation sites sang sobra sa 3,000 nga mga biktima sang Bagyong Ondoy sa Southville Phase 7 housing projects sang National Housing Authority (NHA). Ginasakupan ang proyekto sang tatlo ka sites nga may kabilugan nga land area nga 107,233 sa Barangay Dayap kag Sto. Tomas.

Sa 3,000 nga inug relocate, 54 ka pamilya ang naghalin sa Marikina, 1,775 sa Pasig; 125 halin sa Estero de San Miguel malapit sa Malacanang, 72 halin sa Calauan, 17 halin sa Kasaka, Binan, 643 halin sa bibi sang Pasig River, isa halin sa Sta. Mesa, Manila; 136 halin sa Tripa de Gallina; 21 halin sa Dasmarinas, Bagong Bayan; 34 sa Dagupan Extension sa Manila; 83 halin sa Makati; 55 sa Estero de Balete, San Marcelino; 72 sa Paco, Manila kag 35 halin sa Pandacan, Manila.

Maga-award man ang Presidente sang Pag-Ibig Fund calamity loan checks sa mga benefisyaryo.Sang Disyembre 23, nakaabot sa P10 billion ang kabilugan nga calamity loans para sa 731,974 nga manughulam.

Pormal man nga iga turn-over sang NHA ang deeds of donation kag acceptance sang 37 ka units sang Southville, Northville kag Kasiglahan Ville School Building projects kay Education Secretary Jesli Lapus. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Mga beterano sang WWII, dapat mag-apply para sa One-Time Benefit

Anum na lang ka semana ang nabilin para sa mga beterano sang World War II nga luyag mag-apply para sa bag-o kag One-Time Benefit. Tanan nga mga claims ang dapat mabaton sang U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office (USDVA) pag-abot sang Pebrero 16, 2010.

Ang benefisyo nga ginahatag sa mga World War II nga mga beterano gintuga sang 2009 Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation provision sang American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) sang 2009. Ini nga one-time payment ang bag-o nga benefisyo bangud sa ARRA nga ginpasar sang U.S. Congress kag ginpirmahan ni Presidente Obama sang Pebrero 2009 sa pagrekognisar sang serbisyo sang kwalipikado nga beterano.

Ang bag-o kag one-time benefits mabaton sang mga beterano ukon ila mga balo nga nag-apply antes sila napatay. Anuman nga pagbag-o sa laye sa paghatag sang kadugangan nga benefisyo sa iban nga survivor ang magakinahanglan sang bag-o nga lehislasyon sa Kongreso sang U.S. Pagatratahun dayon ang kada aplikasyon agud mabaton sang mga kwalipikado nga mga beterano ang ila bayad sa mas madali nga tiyempo.

Sang Disyembre 29, 2009, naka-aprobar ang USDVA sang aplikasyon sang kapin sa 11,300 nga mga beterano sang Pilipinas ukon ang ila mga balo. Ini nga mga beterano ukon ang ila nga mga balo nabayaran sang kabilugan nga P6.4 billion. Halos katunga naman sang P6.4 billion sa one-time benefitis nga nabayad ang nagkadto sa mga Filipino World War veterans nga may American citizen ang katunga nagkadto sa non-U.S. citizen Filipino WWII veterans.

Wala sang "master list" sang eligible veterans para sa bag-o kag one-time benefit. Lain ang kada claim kag pagadisisyunan sa iya dugalingon nga merito. Tanan nga mga beterano nga sa ila kwalipikado, ang dapat mag-apply sa mas madali nga tiyempo. Libre ang proseso sa aplikasyon kag simple, indi na kinahanglan nga magbayad sa iban agud mag-asistir sa pagkumpleto sang pormas, nga mahimo ikapadala sa U.S. Embassy. Kon magapadala sang aplikasyon paagi sa koreo, dapat ipadala sang mga beterano ini sang mas temprano agud mabaton ini sang USDVA sa Pebrero 16, 2010 nga deadline.

Mahimo man magsumite ang mga aplikante sang personal sa USDVA nga mga upisina sa U.S. Embassy. Makatawag man ang mga beterano sa USDVA sa (632)528-2500 ukon toll free sa guwa sang Metro Manila sa 1-800-1888-5252 para sa kadugangan nga informasyon. Indi kinahanglan ang appointment sa pag file sang una nga aplikasyon para sa bag-o nga benefisyo.

Ang mga beterano nga naka apply na para sa benefisyo nga ini makabaton sang acknowledgment receipt halin sa USDVA. Indi na kinahanglan nga magpadala sang madamo nga aplikasyon kon wala ginapangayo sang USDVA.

Ang application instructions para sa one-time benefits ara sa U.S. Embassy website:http//manila usembassy.gov. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva

Veteran Aklanon broadcaster warns against tetanus caused by firecrackers

    Kalibo, Aklan -- A veteran and multi-awarded broadcaster here warned Aklanons against tetanus caused by firecracker injuries.

    Although he caught tetanus without lighting any firecracker, Augusto C. Tolentino, currently IBC-DYRG –Kalibo's Station Manager, warned Aklanons to wash their firecracker injuries well with soap and water and seek treatment in hospitals immediately to avoid tetanus infection.

    Tolentino said he suffered tetanus infection years ago by stepping on a rusted nail, and said the infection almost cost his life. He said he suffered stomach hardness, spasms and lockjaw.

    "Firecrackers are dangerous because its components include animal dung," Tolentino said. "If people have foot injuries, they should also avoid stepping on animal dung because they might catch tetanus," he added.

    Tetanus, according to DOH-National Epidemiology Center (NEC) director Eric Tayag, can lead to death.

    According to the DOH, tetanus is an acute bacterial disease caused by Clostridium tetani. Although a deep wound is needed to support the growth of the bacteria, a minor would is usually the point of entry in children and adults. The incubation period of tetanus could be as short as one day to usually 3 to 21 days.

    Tayag said injuries sustained from fireworks should be washed immediately with soap and water and referred to medical personnel for proper wound care and tetanus immunization.

    Symptoms of tetanus include severe headache, irritable behavior, weakness and lockjaw. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan hospitals report 18 firecracker victims

    Kalibo, Aklan- Four hospitals in Aklan reported a total of 18 firecracker victims from the period Dec. 25, 2009 to January 1, 2010.

    Records obtained from the Department of Health (DOH) here show that Altavas District Hospital in Altavas, Aklan treated 2 firecracker victims, Ibajay District Hospital in Ibajay, Aklan, 3; St. Gabriel Hospital (private), 2, and Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH), 11.

    Fourteen (14) of the firecracker victims are males while 4 are females.

    The youngest victim is 4 years old while the oldest is 46. Three of the victims, all males with ages ranging from 17 to 30 were liquor lintoxidated when injured.

    The firecracker victims suffered blast injuries in their fingers, palms, face, scalp, forearms and eyes. There was no report of amputations.

    Blast injuries were caused by piccolo, kwitis, whistle bomb, birso, camara, 5 star and triangle, with one victim hit by an unknown firecracker.

    Most victims were discharged after they were administered with Anti-Tetanus Serum Toxoid.

    Other hospitals in Aklan, mostly private, reported no cases of firecracker injuries. The national scenario hjowever tells a different story.

    According to the Department of Health (DOH), the 2009 New Year revelry was bloodier than 2008, causing it to retract its earlier declaration that firecracker-related injuries were lower this year as scores of injuries continued in hospitals ever after the New Year celebration.

    DOH-National Epidemiology Center (NEC) director Eric Tayag clarified that 2009's New Year revelry is more bloody compared to the previous year as the number of injuries as of January 3 rose to 920, which is 26 percent higher than those injured in 2008 with only 683 cases.

    Tayag said out of the total number of cases this year, 877 were fireworkds related; 42 stray bullet cases; and one watusi ingestion.

    Statistics from the NEC surveillance report also showed that 704 of the victims were males; 268 were children less than 10 years of age; 671 with injuries with no amputation; 81 with amputation; 71 with influence of alcohol; and 125 with eye injuries.

    The leading cause of firecracker injuries was piccolo with 267 cases followed by kwitis, 123; Luces, 57; Five Star, 53; stray bullet, 42; and Pla-Pla, 41.

    Tayag cited three reasons for the increase of injuries this year. First, there were a lot of merry-making because the decade has ended; second, a lot of Filipinos seemed to be happier this year according to surveys; and third, the low price of piccolo which, despite being banned, still managed to reach the hands of children.

    On January 1, 2010, the DOH reported that there were only 597 cases of firecracker-related cases of injuries, which was supposedly lower than the 702 cases recorded in the 2008 revelries. However, more cases were recorded in hospitals during the weekend which increased the number of victims. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

SC, NAGDUGANG SANG 3 KA BUS PARA SA ENHANCED JUSTICE ON WHEELS PROGRAM

    Nagbakal ang Supreme Court sang kadugangan nga tatlo ka bus nga pagahimuon nga korte kag mediation centers para sa iya sini nga Enhanced Justice on Wheels (EJOW) Program.

    Ginpamunuan ni Chief Justice Reynato Puno ang inagurasyon sang bag-o nga mga bus sang Lunes sa SC New Building Courtyard sa Padre Faura Street sa Ermita, Manila. Nag-atender man ang iban nga SC justices pati na ang incoming EJOW Committee chair, Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo.

    Ang mga mobile courts nagdala sang mga korte sa mga banwa nga wala sang regular nga korte, prisohan kag youth reception centers, kag mga probinsya nga ang mga may kaso malayo ang puluy-an sa korte.

    Ang pinakaulihi nga ginbakal sa bulig sang World Bank, nagdala sa walo nga kabilugan nga numero sang mobile courts sa idalum sang EJOW Program.

    Nagasalig si Puno nga ang pagbakal sang tatlo ka bag-o nga bus magapaaktibo pa gid sa EJOW Program sa paghatag sa mas madamo nga mga tawo sang mas madasig kag libre nga pagresolbar sang mga konflikto sa lugar mismo paagi sa 'conciliation, mediation, ukon adjudication'. Sa iya naman bahin, si WB country manager Bert Hofman nag siling nga nadunggan sila nga mangin kabahin sang pagtinguha sang Supreme Court nga dal-on ang hustisya sa kada Pilipino, ilabi na gid ang mga nabudlayan magkadto sa korte bangud sa kapigaduhon kag kalayuon.

    "The Justice on Wheels project rates high in the World Bank's list of initiatives that we are proud to be part of," suno kay Hofman.

    Ginpasalig ni Hofman ang SC nga ang WB padayon nga magabulig halin sa project savings ukon re alokasyon sang mga loan proceeds nga nagakaangay, para sa pagpadaku sang programa.

    Ginalakipan ang EJOW Program sang medical kag dental missions kag libre nga legal aid clinics sa mga detenado; dayalogo sa mga justice stakeholders kag legal information dissemination sa mga opisyales sang barangay luwas sa pagbista sang mga kaso kag paghatag sang mediation services nga ginahatag na sang orihinal nga Justice on Wheels Program.

    Ang mga mobile nga korte sini nagbiyahe sa bug-os nga pungsod kag nagtinir sa mga probinsya sang Rizal kag Bulacan, Kalibo, Aklan, siyudad sang Caloocan kag Quezon; Cebu Province; Digos, Davao del Sur, Tagum, Davao del Norte; Davao City; Bacoor, Cavite; Tacloban, Leyte; Olongapo, Zambales; Pasay City; Baler, Aurora; Sarangani Province; kag mga siyudad sang Las Piñas kag Tagaytay.

    Sang Disyembre 17, 2009, nakapasilitar ang EJOW sang pagbuhi o pag dismiss sang mga kaso kontra sa 2,513 nga mga detenado, naka husay sang 5,361 nga mga kaso paagi sa court-annexed mediation, kag nakahatag sang libre nga bulig legal sa 1,103 nga mga detenado.

    Sa nahauna nga quarter sang 2010, nakatalana nga igabutang ang mga mobile courts sa Kalibo kag Roxas City sa Visayas; Sta. Cruz ukon Biñan, Laguna, Malolos City, Bulacan; La Union kag Baguio City; Cagayan de Oro kag Iligan ukon South Cotabato kag Maguindanao; Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur kag Abra; Tarlac kag Pangasinan; Iloilo kag Bacolod; Bohol kag ang mga siyudad sang Marikina, Mandaluyong, Taguig kag Muntinlupa. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

DOH, MAGAREKOMENDA SANG TOTAL BAN SANG PALUPOK

Ginrekomenda sang Department of Health ang kumpleto nga pagbawal sang palupok kag fireworks sa mga residential areas pagkatapos nga madulaan sang kabuhi ang duha ka nagsilinadya sang bag-ong tuig.

Suno kay Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, ginarekomenda ang pagbawal sang firecracker bangud subong ang pinaka una nga tiyempo nga may napatay bangud sa palupok. Suno pa gid sa iya, ang mga napatay sang nagligad nga tuig bangud sa pagkatulon sang watusi kag nagtalang nga bala.

Sa 18 anyos nga pag exister sang DOH Philippine Fireworks Injury surveillance (DOH-PFIS), subong lamang nakareport nga may napatay bangud sa pyrotechnic devices, suno pa gid sa hepe sang DOH.

Ang duha ka kaswalidad ginlakipan sang isa ka pito ka tuig nga lalaki halin sa Cabanatuan City kag isa ka 29 anyos nga lalaki sa Baguio City. Ang duha napatay bangud sa cerebral concussion secondary sa blasting sang Enero 1, suno kay Duque.

Suno sa DOH-PFIS, ang pito ka tuig nga bata nga lalaki naigo sang kwitis, isa ka legal nga palupok sa naibabaw nga bahin sang mata sand Disyembre 31. Gindala siya sa ospital kag napatay sang Enero 1. Nagtan-aw lamang siya sa mga nagapalupok.

Ang isa pa nga napatay ginreport nga nakainom sang nagsindi siya sang jumbo kwiton bomb sang Enero 1. Sang maglupok ini, naigo siya sa natuo nga bahin sang ulo. Dead on arrival siya sang gindala sa ospital. Napatay siya bangud sa brain hemorrhage secondary sa blasting. Ang palupok nga nakapatay sa iya wala sa listahan sang legal nga fireworks.

Ginreport sang DOH-PFIS nga kumpara sa five-year average (2004-2009) halin sang Dec. 21-January 4), may nagdugan nga 13 ka kaso ukon 1%.

May 50 ka sentinel hospital sa bug-os nga nasyon nga nagreport sa DOH-PFIS sa tuig nga ini. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

RP, may pikamalawig nga economic growth sa termino ni PGMA

Ang siyam ka tuig nga pagpungko ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang gina konsiderar nga isa sa pinakamalawig nga economic expansion periods sa post-war history sang nasyon.

Nagpungko bilang Presidente si Pangulong Arroyo sang 2001 sang ang nasyon nagpakita sang senyales sang pagbangon pagkatapos sang 1997 Asian financial crisis. Magapanaog siya sa tunga-tunga sang 2010, sa tiyempo kon diin ang mga mauswag nga nasyon pareho sang United States nagaguwa sa recession nga ginatawag nga tatlo ka quarter sang negative growth.

Base sa Bangko Sentral, naka-atenar ang Pilipinas sang pagtubo sang ekonomiya sa 36 ka pasunod nga quarters nga nagkontra sa panan-awan sa tunga-tunga sang 2009 sang International Monetary Fund sang zero growth kag sang World Bank sang mas malala nga 0.5 % nga pagtubo para sa nasyon sa pagtubo sang bulan.

Ang pagtubo sang nasyon sa 2009 ginbutang sa konserbatibo nga 1%, nga ara sa sulod sang target range sa tunga sang 0.8% kag 1.8%. Ang pagtubo nga ini, bisan manubo, ang nagpa-upod sa Pilipinas sa pila ka nasyon sa Asia, dala ang China, nga naka-eskapar sa recession sang 2009. Indi nangin masyado nga mapalaron ang Singapore kag Hong Kong, sa ila mabaskog nga integrasyon pinansyal sa United States kag European Union,, kag Thailand kag Malaysia sa ila ekonomiya nga nagasalig sa export.

Sa iya mensahe sang Bag-ong Tuig, gin notar ni Presidente Arroyo nga wala magmadinalag-on ang global recession sa paggubasang Pilipinas sang iya sini indi matupungan nga pagtubo kada quarter sa tion sang iya pagpungko, nga dapat halungan sang magabulos sa iya.

Sa ginapana-aw nga pagbangon sang global economy sa tuig nga ini, ginasaligan man nga mangin mabaskog kag mapagsik ang ekonomiya sang Pilipinas. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)