NSO slates 2010 population count

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The country will soon have its population counted when the National Statistics Office (NSO) conducts the 2010 Census of Population and Housing starting May.

    According to Blas Solidum, Provincial Statistics Officer of NSO-Aklan, the 2010 Census of Population will be conducted from May 17 to June 11.

    In Aklan, Solidum said some 526 enumerators will be conducting the house to house census in the province's 17 towns.

    "We will be fielding teachers from the Department of Education as well as private enumerators in the conduct of the Census of Population," Solidum said. He said this is so, as some public school teachers might still be tired or have extended duties for the 2010 Automated National and Local Elections, and the new school year would have started by the start of June.

    Solidum also said it is preferable for enumerators to come from their own areas of assignments, as they know the place and the people better.

    Babies born on May 1^st of 2010, students who are home at the time of the census, and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) will be included in the population count, according to Solidum.

    People in institutions, like hospitals and jails will also be counted. According to Solidum, patients who have stayed in the hospital for 6 months will be counted as coming from institutions. Prisoners or detainees, on the other hand, must have stayed for a year in jails in order to be counted.

    "Resort workers in Boracay Island, who have worked there for six months, will also be counted," Solidum bared.

    People staying in boarding houses for a long time will also be counted. As to houses, Solidum said for as long as people stay in a dwelling no matter how small it is, eat there, and sleep there - they will be counted and recorded.

    "Even people living under bridges will be counted," Solidum said. According to him, they have done this in their past population count.

    The NSO has instructions too to conduct a population count on Aklan's Indigenous People.

    This 2010 Census of Population, Solidum, said, is a flagship project of the NSO, results of which will be used for economic planning and many other programs and projects of the national and local government units.

    In 2007, Aklan's population was short of more or less 5,000 for the province to be divided in two (2) congressional districts, which could have been beneficial to Aklanons, who could have 2 representatives to work for more progress for the province.

    "The result of this year's Census of Population in Aklan is widely anticipated. Please participate, cooperate and be counted," Solidum appealed to Aklanons. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan’s firetrucks to sound sirens for Earth Hour 2010

    Kalibo, Aklan - For 30 seconds on March 27, 2010 at 8:30 p.m., firetrucks of various fire stations in Aklan will be sounding their sirens to mark the start of the Earth Hour observation this year.

    The Earth Hour is an initiative driven by the collective effort of the Department of Energy and partners from the various sectors of the country.

    The observation will last up to one hour, which will have households in towns and cities worldwide switching off their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. as a call to action for pressing concerns such as global warming which affects the overall health of the planet.

    In Kalibo, Aklan's capital town, Municipal Fire Marshall Insp. Patricio Collado said their station will be sounding the sirens of their two firetrucks at 8:30 p.m.

    Insp. Collado said they received this directive from their regional office, and all other fire stations in the towns of Numancia, Balete, Altavas, Ibajay, Boracay Island (Malay) and New Washington will be doing the same for 30 seconds at the start of Earth Hour observation.

    "We will be informing the media that we will be sounding the sirens for Earth Hour, to keep residents from panicking," Collado said.

    Shipping companies, as instructed by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), will also be sounding their sirens during the appointed hour.

    During the observation, the Philippine National Police units will be on heightened alert for any untoward incident.

    Last year, the Philippines ranked number 1 worldwide on its Earth Hour observation in terms of the scale of public participation, according to Civil Service Commission Chairperson Francisco Duque III.

    Duque also enjoined heads of CSC Central, Regional and Field offices to ensure the keeping of the position, and that people in government must lead the people in participating in Earth Hour events.

    Some of the activities Duque suggested to CSC officials and employees to undertake include switching off of signages and majority of the lights in offices and facilities within the commission's control during Earth Hour, and mobilizing employees, networks, and communities to participate in the Earth Hour 2010 countdown at the SM Mall of Asia or to participate by switching off their lights in their respective areas.

    Duque also emphasized that joining the global community in launching Earth Hour 2010 will be an exercise of solidarity in the fight against climate change. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan information officers set “date” with COMELEC’s PCOS machine

    Kalibo, Aklan - Aklan's information officers from its 17 municipalities, together with those from national government agencies here will have a close encounter with the much-talked about Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine on March 27, 2010 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall in the conduct of a Briefing/Orientation on the Automated Elections and PCOS Machine Demonstration.

    The briefing will be spearheaded by COMELEC-Kalibo's Election Officer, Lorena Tumbagahan, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency and the Office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo.

    The PCOS machine will be used in the country's conduct of its first-ever automated elections.

    Members of the local media, as well as Sangguniang Bayan secretaries, are also expected to attend the briefing.

    Government Information Officers groups in other provinces of Western Visayas had already their Briefing/PCOS machine demonstration in their respective areas.

    The activity aims to equip information officers and the media with enough information and the right ideas about the automated elections as well as to let them see for themselves how the PCOS machine works.

    In turn, it is hoped that they will relay to their families, relatives, friends the information they have obtained from the activity, to give the latter enough knowledge and confidence in participating in the country's historic political exercise.

    For its part, COMELEC-Aklan has already winded-up its PCOS Machine Roadshow Demonstration in Aklan's 17 municipalities, as well as its trainings for its Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) in Aklan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Seventy-five Filipinos die of TB each day – PHO

    Kalibo, Aklan -- As the province of Aklan and the rest of the country join the international community in commemorating World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24, 75 Filipinos die daily of this disease, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) here.

    The PHO also said that TB is the 6^th leading cause of sickness and death in the Philippines. Worldwide, nearly two million people die from TB each year.

    Across the world, one out of three people who become sick with TB fail to access timely, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, the PHO further said.

    To evade this scenario, PHO-Aklan is encouraging every Aklanon suffering from coughs of more than two weeks to go to their nearest health facility or TB DOTS Center for proper diagnosis and treatment. TB is primarily transmitted through the air when coughing.

    "This year's international theme for World TB Day is "Innovate to Accelerate Action Against TB", while the local theme is "Isulong ang Laban sa TB sa Makabagong Paraan," said Nuella Zaldivar, Provincial Health Education and Promotion Officer II of PHO-Aklan.

    Zaldivar also said that the provincial government is fully supporting this year's campaign messages of reaching more people with tuberculosis care, forming stronger partnerships to reach targets of the Global Plan to Stop TB, and to find innovative ways to fund the fight against TB.

    The bacillus that causes tuberculosis was discovered on March 24, 1882 by Dr. Robert Koch of Germany.

    The World TB Day was launched in 1982 to mark the 100^th anniversary of Koch's discovery. (PHO/PIA)

2010 WVRAA meet closes; Negros rules

    Calangcang, Makato, Aklan – The province of Negros Occidental showed its full force in the 2010 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet when it bagged the overall championship in the recently-concluded biggest regional sports event held from March 14-19, 2010 hosted by the province of Aklan.

    As the champion, Negros got a total of 791.70 general championship points. Of this, its elementary division contributed 365 points while its secondary division gave 426.70 points.

    Its tightest and perennial contender, Iloilo, garnered 699.60 general championship points, with the Elementary team contributing 310 points.

    Host province Aklan placed third, garnering 344 points – 172.60 of this from the Elementary team while 171.4 came from the Secondary team.

    Capiz province placed 4^th, garnering a total of 255.17 points followed by Antique, 5^th, with 224.67 total points. The province of Guimaras placed 6^th.

    The winners were officially announced at the Awarding and Closing ceremonies held March 18 at the Aklan Sports Complex here, a multi-million sports facility built in time by the province of Aklan for the holding of this sports event, hosted by Aklan for the first time in fifiteen years.

    The province last hosted this event in 1995.

    DepEd Region 6 Regional Director Mildred L. Garay, who officially closed the regional meet, said the sports event is a venue where athletes learn a lot – discipline, sportsmanship, diligence, and cheerfulness in defeat.

    The event is also a means to scout for the best athletes in the region to be brought to compete in the Pambansang Palaro in Tarlac on April 11-19 of this year.

    Even as the regional meet was a closely-fought match between the provinces of Negros and Iloilo, other provinces had also their shining moments – as when Aklan's Elementary volleyball boys' team grabbed the championship trophy and Antique, the championship trophy for Taekwondo. Capiz and Guimaras had their shining moments too, getting gold medals for events their players excel at.

    Antique's Jeremi Jorge M. Laureta also won as MR. WVRAA Palaro while Pureta Leoncelle Duldoco, also of Antique was 1^st runner-up. Both are students of St. Anthony's High School.

    On the other hand, Negros' bet, Jessa O. Costelo, a student of Bata National High School, was MISS WVRAA PALARO. Other winners include Joseph Stephen Janeo of Iloilo, 1^st runner-up, MR. WVRAA PALARO, and Jeremiah B. Estrada, of Aklan, 2^nd runner-up;

    Zen Delos Reyes of Iloilo was 2^nd runner-up in the MS. WVRAA PALARO. The search was held at the ABL Sports Complex.

    Meanwhile, DepEd Aklan officials said that with the good performance of Aklan athletes, more or less 50 of them who were champions in their respective events are seen to join the region's team for the Pambansang Palaro in Tarlac. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

 

Iloilo dominates WVRAA 2010 cultural contests in Aklan

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The province of Iloilo dominated this year's Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet cultural contests in the elementary and secondary levels.

    The cultural contests were held simultaneously March 16 at the ABL Sports Complex in Kalibo, Aklan.

    In the overall result of the contests, Iloilo ruled as the champion, followed by Negros, 1^st runner up and Antique, 2^nd runner-up.

    In the Elementary level, Iloilo won first place in English declamation, Vocal Solo Classical, Vocal solo Popular and Folk Dance. It played second place only in Filipino Declamation when Aklan won first place.

    Antique won two second places in Vocal solo classical and folk dance, while Negros got 2 second places for English declamation and Vocal Solo Popular and 2 third places for Vocal Solo Popular and Filipino Declamation.

    Capiz placed 3^rd for English declamation and Guimaras, third for Folk Dance.

    In the secondary level, Iloilo won first places in Vocal Solo Classical, Vocal Solo Popular and Folk Dance, while the province of Negros won first places in English Declamation and Impromptu Speech. Antique, on the other hand, won first place in Filipino Declamation,two 2^nd places for English Declamation and Folk Dance; and third place in Vocal Solo Popular.

    Capiz won 2^nd place in Impromptu speech and 3^rd place in English Declamation and Vocal Solo Classical.

    Guimaras got the third place in Folk Dance.

    The 2010 WVRAA, hosted by the province of Aklan, started March 14 and will be up to March 19. Major sports activities are played at the Aklan Sports Complex in Calangcang, Makato, Aklan while other events were spread in other venues like the Aklan State University-CIT campus, the ABL Sports complex, Numancia Covered Gym, Bulwang, Numancia Covered Gym, Magsaysay Park, Kalibo Pilot Elementary School and in the municipality of Lezo.

    The Taekwondo competition finals in the Elementary and Secondary levels were also held at the ABL Sports Complex.

    This is the first hosting of Aklan of WVRAA after 15 years. After this regional meet in Aklan, the declared champions in all levels will be off to Tarlac in Aptil for the Pala (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan job fair offers local, overseas jobs

    Kalibo, Aklan -- A job fair through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) here will be held March 17 as one of Aklan's activities in celebration of Women's Month.

    According to Vivian R. Solano, PESO-Aklan Manager, the job fair will be held at the Daeangpan It Mga Kababayen-an Sa Aklan in Kalibo.

    Solano said 10 local and overseas companies and agencies will be arriving to receive applicants for various positions.

    Vacant positions are for call center agents, content writers, web and graphic designers/web developer for Callbox Sales & Marketing Solutions, Encoder, Sales Representatives and accounting, commerce, computer science and management graduates for Boracay Consolidated Business Partners, Inc.; hotel staff for Boracay Regency Lagoon, Discovery Shores and Shangrila Boracay Resort and Spa.

    There are opportunities too for overseas jobs like medical technologists, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, teachers and lawyers with visa screening for U.S.A, nurses for London with IELTS score of 7.0 in all subjects with minimum hospital experience of 1 year; waitresses for Qatar, household workers for HongKong, skilled workers for Saudi Arabia and many others through Anifel Management & General Services Corp., Greenfields, International, Hongkong Fil International Company, Inter-Globe Manpower Consultancy Services, Inc. and OLM International Job Placement Corporation.

    PESO advises those who are interested to apply to proceed to its office so they will be guided accordingly. Applicants must bring an application letter, resume with picture transcript of records, new community tax certificate, 2x2 ID pictures, barangay, police and NBI clearance, and birth certificate from NSO.

    "Those who have complete papers will be prioritized for interviews", Solano said. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan Sports Complex blessing. Fr. Isauro David (center), officiates the blessing of the brand-new Aklan Sports Complex March 13. The Aklan Sports Complex is located at Calangcang, Makato, Aklan - a multi-million sports facility built in time for the 2010 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet that Aklan is hosting for the first ime in 15 years. Also in the picture are from left to right - Ibajay Mayor and Congressional Spouse Ma. Lourdes Miraflores, Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores, Prof. Ersyl Biray of Aklan State University, Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez and Makato Mayor Jun Legaspi. (PIA/vgv)

Aklan holds blessing of multi-million sports complex

    Calangcang, Makato, Aklan -- The Aklan Sports Complex here, constructed in time for Aklan's first hosting of the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet in fifteen years, had a simple and short blessing ceremony March 13.

    The blessing, officiated by Makato Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Isauro David, was graced by Aklan Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores, Governor Carlito Marquez, Vice Governor Gabrielle C. Calizo-Quimpo, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, Provincial Capitol department heads, Makato LGU led by Mayor Jun Legaspi and representatives of other government agencies.

    The sports complex sits atop a 6.5 hectare lot in Calangcang, Makato. It has an Olympic-size swimming pool, two basketball courts, two volleyball courts, a rubberized track oval, football and soccer field, two tennis courts and an archery area.

The sports complex has a main grandstand with bleachers.

The Provincial Engineer's Office (PEO) also constructed temporary bleachers made of bamboo for use of spectators.

Provincial Engineer Victory Fernandez said the province has already sank more than P90 million for the construction of the sports complex, and to be able to make it a one-stop sports facility in the future, its total construction expense could reach P200 million.

The construction of the sports complex was made possible through a Memorandum of Agreement between the Aklan State University through President Benny Palma, owner of the lot, and the Provincial Government of Aklan for the construction, development, management, operation and control of the sports facility at Calangcang, Makato. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

 

Aklan leaders reiterate commitment for women’s welfare

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan's provincial leaders once more reiterated their commitment to uphold the welfare and well-being of Aklanon women as the province launched March 12 the month-long observation of Women's Month.

    The celebration took off through a Thanksgiving Mass at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral, followed by a motorcade and a program at the Daeangpan it mga Kababayen-an Sa Aklan.

    Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo Quimpo, in her inspirational message, told the audience, composed of Aklan Gender and Development Commission (AGADC) committee members represented by different national and provincial offices, the PNP, LGUs, and civic groups about the different laws that were passed for the benefit of women as well as the important role the women play in the community.

    "We must maximize the benefit of the Magna Carta for Women. We must engage in activities to push the rights and benefits of women," Calizo-Quimpo said.

    The Magna Carta of Women is a comprehensive women's human rights law signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on August 14, 2009.

    Calizo also called on concerned sectors to look after the welfare of women with disabilities.

    For her part, Hon. Daisy S. Briones, guest speaker and a Sangguniang Panlalawigan member, cited the various proclamations issued by then President Corazon Aquino for the welfare and advancement of women's rights like Presidential Proclamation 224 and Proclamation 227.

    SP Briones also related that as part of the Provincial Government's concern for women, 20 of them from various municipalities here received P5,000 each to start small business ventures.

    Some of these women were present during the program, who displayed their products mostly food-based for sale to the public which were a hit.

    SP Briones is the principal author of the newly enacted Children's Code of Aklan as well as an advocate of sustained Gender and Development programs of the province.

    Governor Carlito Marquez, who was also to deliver an inspirational message, was represented by Provincial Administrator Diego M. Luces.

    A turn-over of financial assistance for Income Generating Project for VAWC victims, totaling P105,000.00, was also held during the program.

    The Philippine National Red Cross and the Provincial Health Office also held a medical check-up and Blood Typing the as part of the launching program.

    Blood letting, skills training, diabetic screening, job fair, radio guestings/candidates forum are some of the activities set to be held for the montlong-long observance of Women's Month in Aklan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan Sports complex blessing slated March 13

    Kalibo, Aklan - The Aklan Sports Complex, a multi-million modern project at Calangcang, Makato, Aklan constructed non-stop in time for the March 14-19, 2010 hosting by the province of Aklan of the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet will have its blessing March 13.

    Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez said this sports complex is a long-time dream now realized with the support of various sectors in the province.

    The sports complex sits on a 6.5 hectare lot owned by the Aklan State University, made possible through a Memorandum of Agreement between Governor Marquez and ASU President Benny Palma for the construction, development, management, operation, maintenance and control of the sports facility at Calangcang, Makato, Aklan.

    Now ready to receive top-caliber athletes from all over Western Visayas for the regional competition, the sports complex has an Olympic-size swimming pool, a rubberize track oval, a football and soccer field, two basketball courts, two volleyball courts, two tennis courts and an area for the archery competition.

    According to Assistant Provincial Engineer Edelson Magalit, the main grandstand is already in place and already usable. Bleachers made of bamboo had been built around the grandstand for the audience to use.

    Engr. Magalit also assured the availability of water, both for the swimming pool and for the comfort rooms constructed in the area, despite the El Niño Phenomenon or dry spell which might affect water supply in the site.

    "We have a deep well where we source our water and we also have an elevated water tank in the sports complex site", Magalit said.

    A press room/media center, complete with telephone and internet connections, is already in place in the area too.

    According to the Department of Education (DepEd), some 4,000 participants from all over Western Visayas composed of delegation officials, sports officials, coaches and athletes are coming for the region's biggest athletic event. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Take seriously what you have signed, COMELEC tells Aklan candidates

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Saying that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) can only do so much, Regional Election Director Atty. Dennis Ausan appealed to Kalibo and provincial candidates here for their full cooperation to ensure that Aklan will have an honest, orderly and peaceful elections.

    Ausan aired this appeal during the Peace Covenant signing at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral here held recently, participated by sixty-four candidates – 38 from Kalibo and 26 for provincial positions.

    "We have just signed the covenant for a peaceful election. We are hopeful that we are serious with what we have signed. If we are serious, we at the COMELEC will no longer have an 'Operation Kakas' because there will be nothing to get from the posts, the walls and the trees", said Ausan, apparently referring to campaign posters of local candidates placed anywhere.

    Ausan also assured the people of the role of the COMELEC in the coming elections.

    "We in the COMELEC swear that we will abide with the principle that sovereignty resides in the people. We need your full cooperation so that in May 10, the real voice of God will be heard," Ausan stressed.

    The Peace Covenant signing was sponsored by the COMELEC, the Diocese of Kalibo, KBP Aklan Chapter, the PNP, AFP, local media organizations and various radio and cable television stations in Aklan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

COMELEC RED says voters’ fears had been erased

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The voters' fears had been erased as they start showing enthusiasm for the country's first-ever automated elections, according to Atty. Dennis Ausan, Regional Election Director (RED) when he spoke before provincial and municipal candidates of Kalibo at the Peace Covenant signing held at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral here recently.

    Ausan said that COMELEC-Aklan has started going around various towns for the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine roadshow presentation, and this allowed the voters in the different towns of Aklan to see for themselves the machine which will be used in the conduct of the automated elections.

    "We are all first-time voters in the automated elections", Ausan told the people inside the church, composed of candidates and their families, friends and supporters, and the local media.

    Ausan said the May 10, 2010 elections is a very historic and important one and the COMELEC is doing its best to prepare for this political exercise.

    On March 15, Ausan said the COMELEC will start training the Aklan Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs).

    Ausan also said that the COMELEC is trying very hard to reach out to voters as much as possible. Voting correctly, according to him, is just a matter of following instructions on how to fill up the ballots and casting it.

    Sixty-four candidates participated in the covenant signing – 38 from Kalibo LGU and 26 running for various positions in the province. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan candidates sign, peace covenant

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Sixty-four (64) candidates – 38 from the municipality of Kalibo and 26 running for provincial positions signed today the peace covenant for an honest, orderly and peaceful elections at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Kalibo.

    The covenant-signing was sponsored by the COMELEC, Diocese of Kalibo, KBP-Aklan Chapter, PPCRV, PNP, AFP, Aklan Press Club, other media organizations and outlets.

    The covenant signing was held after a Holy Mass.

    Kalibo has 4 mayoralty candidates, 4 vice mayoralty, and 30 for Sangguniang Bayan. For the provincial positions – the Western side of Aklan has 10 candidates for Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and Eastern, 10. Three are vying for the gubernatorial post; two for vice gubernatorial, while the incumbent representative for the lone district of Aklan – Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores, is uncontested.

    In their messages, the candidates were one in saying that the peace covenant should be fully adhered to.

    "We are here because we believe in God. Let us maintain a friendly rivalry, and let's be friends after elections", said Mark Quimpo, a mayoralty candidate of Kalibo.

    For his part, Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores said he is humbled by the trust given to him by Aklanons, and said he would double his efforts to bring progress and service to Aklan.

    "Let us abide by the peace covenanct for the most peaceful and grandest elections in the province", Miraflores said.

    Governor Marquez and Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo, along with their fellow candidates for the gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial positions, also delivered messages.

    Other municipalities in Aklan, in coordination with the COMELEC and other civic and religious organizations have their respective covenant-signing schedules. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan town is RP’s best LGU OTOP implementer

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The town of Numancia in the province of Aklan has been adjudged as the country's Best LGU One Town, One Product (OTOP) implementer, and as such, will be receiving the award on March 12, 2010 during the National OTOP Congress at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City, Manila.

    Before bagging the prestigious national award, Numancia bested other provincial entries in Region 6, emerging the regional winner. The three Visayan regions- Central, Eastern and Western were then clustered, after which Numancia also emerged as the Island Winner in the Visayas.

    Numancia Mayor Elverita Templonuevo, elated but emotional during a radio interview over RMN-DYKR radio station here while sharing the news, said she will be going to Manila to receive the award, together with her husband, former Mayor Ernesto I. Templonuevo who initiated the OTOP project (Vermicast Organic Fertilizer), Razel Gomez, the cooperative president, Brenda Marte, Municipal Agriculturist and Philomena Valencia of DTI-Aklan.

    Mayor Templonuevo said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will personally hand them the award.

    OTOP is a program of President Arroyo which is patterned from the One Village, One Product (OVOP) of Japan.

    Under this program, towns will identify a product which they could develop as their common product or enterprise. In Aklan, all towns have their identified OTOPs. Kalibo has the loom-woven Piña cloth, Banga has its fruits, Nabas, bariw products, Lezo its potteries, etc.

    Mayor Templonuevo said the town's OTOP, Vermicast Organic Fertilizer, is a project that has a great impact on poverty alleviation, the people's livelihood and the env ironment.

    "We can already see the effects of El Niño. Every Numanciahanon could benefit from this program, the town being an agricultural area. I challenge every Numanciahanon – we need this organic fertilizer to help Mother Earth, to improve our quality of life by eating organically-produced vegetables, fruits and rice", Mayor Templonuevo said.

    The vermicast method, which utilizes earthworms, also helps much in the municipality's waste management program. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan to showcase top attractions at WVRAA meet

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The province of Aklan will be showcasing its top attractions during the opening day of the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) at the Provincial Sports Complex in Calangcang, Makato, Aklan on March 15.

    Provincial Tourism Operations Officer Roselle Q. Ruiz said the showcase will be presented through a production number featuring three major attractions of Aklan – the famed Boracay Island, through its many fun activities simulated by Boracaynons like the dragon boat-racing, snorkeling and other water activities; the Ati-atihan Festival, showing Ati-atihan groups from Kalibo and Makato in their colorful costumes dancing to drumbeats unique to Aklan, and the Piña Industry through a fashion show..

    "The towns of Tangalan, Malinao and Nabas will also be bringing their Higantes to lend more color to the opening ceremonies", Ruiz said.

    The province of Aklan will be hosting the WVRAA for the first time in 15 years. The last time Aklan hosted this event was in January 1995.

    Through radio plugs, Aklan governor Carlito Marquez has called on all Aklanons to solicit their help to make this big regional sports event successful.

    "Everybody should join and show our visitors the Aklanon courtesy and hospitality", Governor Marquez said.

    Marquez said the province has been working double-time to prepare the facilities for the biggest athletic event in the region.

    It will formally open on March 15 but there will already be sports competitions starting March 14.

    The 2010 WRAA meet will run from March 14-19.

    Advance parties from various provinces of Region 6 – Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Antique, Guimaras and Capiz have started arriving in Aklan March 9.

    They will be billeted in various public and private schools in Kalibo, Makato, Numancia and Lezo. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Women’s month celebration in Aklan studded with activities

    Kalibo, Aklan -- This year's celebration of Women's Month in the province is studded with activities to promote the welfare and empowerment of Aklanon women.

    According to Jesebel Vidal, Gender and Development (GAD)-Aklan Focal Point, the celebration of Women's Month of Aklan will kick-off March 12 through the Women's Day celebration at the Aklan Comprehensive Center for Women (ACCW) with a motorcade, thanksgiving mass, opening program and the release of financial assistance.

    The financial assistance, amounting to P105,000.00 to fund income generating projects (IGP), is for victims of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC).

    The financial assistance will be turned over by Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez to Mrs. Elma M. Malbas, PSWD Officer and Center for Women Coordinator.

    Other slated activities for the Women's Month celebration include free diabetic screening on March 10 and March 16; Display of EWA products, free blood typing and Vegetable Seed Distribution on March 12; Job Fair for call center agents, nurses for London, and skilled workers for Saudi Arabia through the Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Aklan Gender and Development Commission (AGADC); Skills Training, Radio guestings, Candidates' Forum, DAR Ladies Association forum and Orientation of Magna Carta for Women/VAWC.

    EWA (Empowered Women of Aklan) products which will be displayed on March 12 are produced by 20 women who started small businesses after they were provided P5,000.00 each by the Provincial Government as seed capital.

    At the launching program on March 12 at the ACCW, inspirational messages will be given by Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo and Governor Carlito S. Marquez. The guest speaker will be Hon. Daisy S. Briones, SP Chair-Committee on Children, Women and Family.

    A medical check-up and Blood Typing will also be conducted by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) on March 12 at the ACCW.

    "Babae! Tagumpay ka ng Bayan" is the theme of this year's Women's Month celebration. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan governor reorganizes, expands membership of PPCC

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan's Provincial Price Coordinating Council (PPCC) was reorganized recently by Governor Carlito S. Marquez through Executive Order 009.

    The executive order also expanded the membership of the PPCC.

    According to Governor Marquez, the expansion of the membership is necessary due to the current economic situation that has resulted in sudden increases of commodities.

    The Provincial Price Coordinating Council (PPCC) of Aklan was created pursuant to Republic Act 7581, also known as the Price Act, to provide protection to consumers by stabilizing the prices of basic and prime commodities and by prescribing measures against undue price increases during emergency situations and like situations.

    The PPCC is chaired by Governor Marquez with DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr.

    Other members of the council are PSSupt. Epifanio A. Bragais, Jr., Aklan Police Provincial Office Provincial Director; Atty. Ma. Maya Bien M. Tolentino, Provincial Prosecutor; and heads/representatives of OPA, PHO, DENR, LTO, NFA, DOH, BFAR, BAS, PCA, PIA, Aklan Consumers Association; Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, PARCOM/Farmers' group, and Kalibo Vendors Group. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Kalibonhons try PCOS machine

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Kalibonhons had their first view of the Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS), when the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) held its first roadshow demonstration here March 4 for Kalibo's municipal employees, barangay officials, residents and the local media.

    The PCOS is the machine which will be used when Filipinos cast their votes for the first time in the country's first-ever automated elections on May 10, 2010.

    COMELEC-Kalibo Election Officer Lorena Tumbagahan, who led the PCOS roadshow demonstration at the 3^rd Floor of Kalibo Municipal Building, showed the participants the features of the machine and how it works.

    Tumbagahan allayed fears of the constituents who queried if brownouts, which might occur during elections, could affect the performance of the PCOS machines.

    "The machine has built-in batteries. Even in places with no electricity, the machines could still function within 12 to 16 hours," Tumbagahan told participants.

    Tumbagahan also briefed the participants on the proper filling up of the ballots. According to her, voters should be careful in shading ovals opposite names of candidates. When voters over vote or shade more than the numbers required for the position, the votes will not be counted.

    Tumbagahan said however, that votes could be counted in cases when voters undervote or shade lesser than the specific number required for the positions.

    "After shading the ballot, the voter will personally feed the ballot to the machine, which will be read by the machine back to back. If the ballot successfully passes through the machine, the note 'Congratulations, your vote has been registered' will appear on the screen", Tumbagahan said.

    To test this ability of the machine, Tumbagahan requested a participant to feed the demonstration ballot to the machine, which came out successfully along with the note that appeared on the screen. But when the same ballot was fed again to the machine, it did not completely came through, and the note that read "this ballot has been previously scanned" appeared on the screen.

    After the roadshow demonstration in Kalibo, the PCOS machine will be brought to the rest of the municipalities in Aklan by the COMELEC for the same activity.

    The COMELEC assured that all polling centers in Aklan will have PCOS machines. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

    

High price of mongo noted in Aklan markets

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) here has noted the very high price of mongo sold at Aklan public markets.

    Moises T. Inamac, Provincial Price Coordinator based at OPA-Aklan revealed that a ganta of mongo costs P200-210 as of January 2010 in public markets. Its price last month (December 2009), based on OPA's Price Monitoring Report, was P190.00 to 200.00 per ganta.

    Out of 19 market commodities listed under Cash Crops category of OPA in the report, mongo and sweet pepper commanded the highest price. Last December 2009, a kilo of sweet pepper was sold from P120.00-P220.00 per kilo. Its price, however, for the month of January, ranged from P160.00 to P250.00.

    Inamac shared the information during the latest Provincial Price Coordinating Council (PPCC) meeting called by Governor Carlito Marquez in the wake of the current economic and climatic condition that has resulted to increases in prices of prime commodities.

    To call the attention of concerned agencies like the Department of Agriculture (DA) on the preventive price of mongo, PPCC members suggested to OPA to send a copy of their monitoring report to the regional office.

    Some members suggested the intensified planting of mongo in Aklan ricefields now to increase the supply of mongo in the province.

    Rene Enriquez, farmer-member of the council and Provincial Agrarian Reform Committee (PARCOM) officer said, however, that farmers are discouraged to plant mongo in their fields.

    "When we plant mongo in our fields, there are many owners. Everybody in the community thinks he can just pick mongo pods when the crop is ready, not thinking of the farm owner who invested money to plant the crop," Enriquez said.

    The DTI, on the other hand, represented by Deana Ruiz, emphasized that the true worth of a commodity should be assessed, so the council or the concerned agency could determine if the price of the commodity is "grossly" in excess of its true worth.

    Other things taken up in the meeting were updates on the current prices of fish, rice, lumber, copra, and other basic commodities given by respective agencies in charge of monitoring prices and supplies.

    Chaired by Governor Carlito Marquez with DTI Provincial Director Diosdado Cadena Jr., as Vice Chairman, members are composed of representatives from the PNP, Provincial Prosecutor's Office, OPA, OPVET, PHO, DENR, LTO, NFA, DOH, BFAR, BAS, PCA, PIA, Aklan Consumers Association, Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, PARCOM and Kalibo Vendors Association. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

DA, LGU-agri offices propose measures for El Niño-threatened areas

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 6 (DA-RFU), Provincial Agricultural offices and local government units in the region recently came out with proposed mitigating measures for identified El Niño-vulnerable areas.

    Based on the data provided by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) here headed by its OIC, William Castillo, measures include irrigation and water availability, production support, financing component, information, education and communication and program management.

    Under irrigation and water availability measure, a fuel subsidy of P1,000.00 per hectare will be provided to farmers whose standing rice crop is at vegetative stage, while P500.00 per hectare will be given to farmers whose standing crop is at its reproductive stage.

    Small Water Impounding Projects (SWIP) and SWIP rehabilitation will also be implemented to make water available to the vulnerable rice farms.

    For production support, buffer seeds (10% of the Provincial Seed Requirement) of 1,700 bags certified seeds will be provided as well as pesticides (should there be reports on armyworms, rats and birds); and vegetable seeds/root crops/livestocks from the DA/OPA/LGU.

    Animal health services will also be provided.

    For financing component, insurance from January to March planting at P1,000.00 per hectare will be provided through P15,000.00 insurance coverage with a premium of P1,000.00 from DA-OPA.

    Information, education and communication, on the other hand, will be provided by DA-OPA-LGU consisting of information dissemination through advocacy campaign and IEC materials.

    Program management will be composed of monitoring and feed backing by the DA-OPA-LGU.

    In Aklan, 132 hectares planted to yellow and white corn and 2,675 hectares of irrigated and rainfed rice farms were identified as vulnerable to the El Niño phenomenon. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

 

Aklanons urged to sell their palay to NFA

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The National Food Authority (NFA) here is urging Aklanons to sell their palay produce to the food agency, which is now actively going around Aklan for its palay procurement activities.

    According to Ramon Villariza of NFA-Aklan, NFA's current procurement result is way below target as they go around the province.

    "Right now, we can only procure at least 300 bags per day. Please tell your friends and relatives to sell their palay to us. We have sufficient procurement funds," Villariza said to fellow members of the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) during its first quarterly meeting at the Conference Hall of the GRQG Memorial Building here.

    The NFA is now buying palay at P17.20 per kilo if procured in the field, and P17.40 if delivered in the grains center by the farmers themselves.

    If their palay stored in the warehouse gets milled and converted to rice, Villariza said there would be a total of 71,857 bags of rice at NFA-Aklan, which could last for 175 days. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

COMELEC to hold PCOS roadshow demonstration in Kalibo

    Kalibo, Aklan - The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will be holding a Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) machine roadshow demonstration in the municipality of Kalibo.

    Lorena Tumbagahan, COMELEC-Kalibo Municipal Election Officer said the activity, the first to be held in the province, will be spearheaded by the COMELEC in coordination with the local government unit of Kalibo headed by Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo.

    The PCOS is the machine which will be used for voting on the May 10, 2010 national and local elections in the country's first-ever automated elections.

    The demonstration is slated on March 4, which is expected to be attended by various sectors in the community – government employees, residents, local officials and the media.

    "Everybody will be allowed to attend the demonstrations, so they could see for themselves how the machine works," Tumbagahan said.

    After the PCOS demonstration in Kalibo, the COMELEC will be going to other municipalities to conduct the same activity to the constituents.

    After the demos in the municipalities, Tumbagahan said the COMELEC will be holding trainings for the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs).

    Meanwhile, COMELEC-Kalibo will be conducting "Operation Kakas" of election posters and other materials of candidates for national positions on March 5.

    The team, to be led by the COMELEC with the support of the Philippine National Police and assisted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), will go around Kalibo to peel off campaign posters and other materials which were not placed at designated common poster areas.

    The DPWH, Tumbagahan said, is deputized to help the COMELEC in its "Operation Kakas" activities.

    In Kalibo, each barangay has one designated common poster area, while in Poblacion Kalibo, there are three common poster areas.

    Tumbagahan said said these are situated in front of the Kalibo Cathedral, the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital and at Roxas Avenue near the Kalibo Pilot Elementary School. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Mga bayan sa Aklan na nanganganib sa El Niño, tinukoy

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Tinukoy ng Office of the Provincial Agriculturist dito ang mga bayan sa Aklan na nanganganib sa El Niño.

    Ayun sa OPA, may anim na bayan ditto na nagtatanim ng dilaw at puti na mais na nanganganib sa El Niño. Ito ay ang mga bayan ng Altavas, Ibajay, Kalibo, Madalag, Malinao, at Numancia. May pangkalahatang 132 ektarya ng maisan ang apektado sa mga bayang ito – 107 ektarya para sa dilaw na mais at 25 ektarya para sa putting mais.

    Sa anim na bayan, ang Malinao ang may pinakamalaking numero ng apektadong ektarya na 47 na tinamnan ng dilaw na mais. Sinusundan ito ng Kalibo na may 26 ektarya at Altavas na may 15 ektarya. Dalawang bayan lamang ang may tanim na putting mais – Kalibo, na may 20 ektaryang apektado, at Altavas, na may 5 ektarya.

    Samantala, 16 sa 17 na bayan ng Aklan na nagtatanim ng palay ang nailistang delikado sa El Niño, na may kabuuan na 2,675 ektarya.

    Ang tinatawag na rainfed areas ang pinaka apektado, na may 2,434 ektarya, samantalang 241 ektarya naman ang nasa irrigated area na apektado.

    Ilan sa mga hakbang na iminumungkahi ng Department of Agriculture, OPA at LGU para matulungan ang mga nanganganib na tanimang ito ay ang pagpadaloy ng tubig sa pamamagitan ng Small Water Impounding Project , pagkaloob ng mga binhi, pestisidyo, financing component, animal health services at wastong kaalaman tungkol sa El Niño. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan, may 316,886 na botante para sa Mayo 2010 na eleksyon

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Umabot na sa 316,886 ang mga rehistrado na botante sa Aklan para sa Mayo 10, 2010 na eleksyon.

    Ito ay ayon sa nakuhang listahan na ipinalabas ng Commission on Elections sa Aklan na pinamumunuan ni Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, Provincial Election Supervisor.

    Nangunguna sa listahan ang bayan ng Kalibo, kabisera ng Aklan, bilang may pinakamalaking numero ng botante, na umabot sa 46,530. Sinundan ito ng bayan ng Ibajay, na may 25,530 na mga botante, at New Washington, na may 23,858.

    Ang bayan ng Banga ay may 23,063 na botante, samantalang ang Malay, kung saan naroroon ang isla ng Boracay ay may 22,833.

    Ang iba pang mga bayan at ang kanilang mga bilang ng botante ay ang Numancia, na may 18,678; Batan, 18,874; Balete, 17,085; Nabas, 16,300; Libacao, 15,722; Altavas, 14,854; Malinao, 14,442; Tangalan, 11,868; Madalag, 11,615; Buruanga, 11,147 at lezo, 8,389.

    Ang lalawigan ng Aklan ay may 2,115 na established precincts at may 492 na clustered precincts sa 327 na mga barangay. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan has 5 IWAG awardees for 2010

Kalibo, Aklan -- Five graduating student writers from Aklan are included in this year's roster of IWAG Awardees in Western Visayas.

    The IWAG Award is an incentive scheme conceptualized by the Philippine Information Agency in Region 6 to give due recognition to campus paper writers who excelled in the field of development communication.

    This year's IWAG Awardees in Aklan include 3 high school and 2 college graduating students.

The high school IWAG Awardees all came from government schools, while the 2 college awardees came from private schools.

    The high school awardees are Mary Love S. Juanico of the Viewfinder school paper of Linabuan Norte National High School, Therese Angela D. Sulangi, Scholar's Gazette, Regional Science High School; and Jessa Marie N. Remetio, Pahayagang Iskolar of the Regional Science High School.

    Awardees from college include Meraflor I. Trance of the Garcian, Garcia College of Technology and Darren N. Naelgas, Aklan Collegian, Aklan Catholic College.

    As awardees, these graduating students will receive a gold medal and a citation each, to be awarded to them on their graduation or recognition day.

    There are 51 IWAG awardees for this year – 5 from Aklan, 3 from Antique, 9 from Capiz, 20 from Iloilo and 14 from Negros Occidental. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

BAS to validate reported El Niño-affected farms in Aklan

    Kalibo, Aklan –The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) here has been tasked by the Department of Agriculture (DA) 6 to validate reports on El Niño-affected farms in Aklan.

    Manuelito Delegencia, Provincial Agricultural Statistics Officer in Aklan said they could finish validating next week and submit the result to the regional office.

    Delegencia said their office is set to validate some 1,300 hectares of ricelands located in various towns in Aklan which were reported to be affected by the El Niño.

    The DA, according to Delegencia, is earmarking some P192,000,000.00 budget in Region 6 for its mitigation programs for El Niño-vulnerable areas. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan has 316,886 registered voters for May 2010 elections

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan now has a total of 316,886 registered voters for the May 10, 2010 first-ever automated elections in the country.

    The figure, based on the Consolidated Quarterly Progress Report, was released by COMELEC-Aklan through Atty. Ian Lee M. Ananoria, Provincial Election Supevisor. It is based on the result of the January 9, 2010 ERB Hearing.

    Kalibo, Aklan's capital town, has the biggest number of voters with 46,530. It is followed by Ibajay, a town in the western side of the province, with 25,530 and New Washington in the eastern side with 23,858.

    Close in the heels of New Washington is the town of Banga with 23,063, followed by the town of Malay where Boracay Island is, with 22,833.

    Other towns and their respective number of registered voters are Numancia, with 18,678; Batan, 18,874; Balete, 17,085; Nabas, 16,300; Makato, 16,150; Libacao, 15,722; Altavas, 14,854; Malinao, 14,442; Tangalan, 11,868; Madalag, 11,615; Buruanga, 11,147; and Lezo, 8,389.

    Aklan has a total of 2,115 total number of established precincts with 492 clustered in the province' 327 barangays. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan towns to get mango flower inducer for El Niño

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Eight Aklan mango-producing towns will soon be provided with bags of flower inducers as part of the government's El Niño mitigating measures through the Department of Agriculture-Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and Local Government Units (DARFU-VI OPA-LGU.

    Mango trees are said to be more fruitful during the hot weather, thus the flower inducer.

    These towns, according to OPA-Aklan, are Buruanga, to be provided with 3 bags, Malay, 2; Nabas, 2, Ibajay, 3; Tangalan, 3; Makato, 3; Numancia, 3 and Kalibo, 2, for a total of 20 bags.

    OPA will also provide vegetable seeds to Aklan's 17 municipalities.

    For fisheries, a total of 125,000 milkfish (bangus) fingerlings will be provided by the Bureau of Aquatic and Fisheries Resources (BFAR) to 25 beneficiaries. BFAR has identified a total of 25 hectares of fishponds threatened by the El Niño.

    BFAR and the OPA will also be giving support to oyster and mussels (tahong) raisers.

    The province has identified 1.25 hectares of oyster farms and 1.25 tahong farms in Aklan threatened by El Niño. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan identifies rice and corn areas vulnerable to El Niño

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) here has identified rice and corn areas in the province which are vulnerable to the El Niño Phenomenon.

    According to OPA-Aklan, 6 municipalities in the province which produce yellow and white corn are vulnerable to El Nino. These are Altavas, Ibajay, Kalibo, Madalag, Malinao and Numancia. A total of 132 hectares from these towns planted to yellow and white corn – 107 hectares for yellow corn and 25 hectares for white corn were found vulnerable.

    Of the 6 municipalities, Malinao town has the biggest threatened area with 47 hectares planted to yellow corn, followed by Kalibo with 26 hectares amd Altavas with 15 hectares. Only two towns – Kalibo and Altavas, plant white corn with 5 hectares and 20 hectares respectively.

    Meanwhile, 16 municipalities in the province were identified by OPA as vulnerable rice areas to El Niño. These are the towns of Altavas, Balete, Batan, Malinao, Ibajay, Libacao, Madalag, Malay, Buruanga, Numancia, Banga, Tangalan, Makato, Lezo, Kalibo and New Washington, with a total of 2,675 hectares.

    These vulnerable rice farms are either irrigated or rainfed, with the rainfed having the biggest area with 2,434 hectares. Affected irrigated areas reached 241 hectares located in the towns of Numancia, Tangalan, Makato, Lezo, Kalibo, and New Washington.

    For these identified El Niño-vulnerable areas, the Department of Agriculture (RFU VI)OPA-LGU has proposed some mitigating measures which includes irrigation and water availability through fuel subsidy, construction of Small water Impounding Project (SWIP) and SWIP rehabilitation; production support through buffer seeds, pesticides, vegetable seeds/rootcrops/livestocks and animal health services; financing component, information, education and communication and program management through monitoring and feedbacking.

    Aklan, according to PAGASA, will be moderately affected by El Niño. El Niño is expected to be over by July of this year yet. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

DOH warns against “dry spell” diseases

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The Department of Health (DOH) here is warning Aklanons against outbreak of diseases during this dry spell or El Niño now being felt in the province.

    According to Dr. Myrtle Pelayo, DOH Provincial Health Team leader, some of the diseases that arise during the hot weather includes heatstrokes, diarrhea, dehydration, measles, and many others.

    Dr. Pelayo said people can avoid these diseases by taking plenty of liquids and staying in cooler places as much as possible.

    "Under normal conditions, a person should drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water everyday. With El Niño now manifesting in Aklan, one must drink from 10 to 12 glasses daily. People should also wear lighter or thinner clothes. People should take baths daily too, to feel refreshed and cool", Dr. Pelayo said.

    Pelayo also advised that with the trend now of saving water due to shortage, people must not forget to cover their water containers, as the water might be used as breeding places of mosquitoes.

    "We might face another health problem like dengue if this happens," she said.

    Mosquitoes, she said, continue to breed during the hot weather.

    She also called on the people living in barangays who still get their water supply from open wells to boil the water first before consuming. "Due to the low water level in wells, bacteria could thrive, which when consumed could cause diseases," Pelayo stressed.

    She also advised people who store rain water to boil it first before drinking.

    "It is alright to use rain water for bathing or washing clothes, but for drinking, it should be boiled first.

    According to PAGASA, Aklan will be moderately affected by El Niño, which is predicted to last until July of this year. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan farmers’ groups, other grains industry councils brace for El Niño too

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Farmers' groups in Aklan as well as other grains business councils are also aware of the danger posed by El Niño on their sector and have started including the topic in their meeting's agenda, according to the National Food Authority (NFA) here.

    According to Judith Tindog, Sr. Grains Operations Officer of NFA-Aklan, one item in the agenda of the meeting of the Philippine Grains Industry Council (PGIC) here this week programmed for discussion is the El Niño Phenomenon and mitigating measures to counter or temper its effect on grains retailers, wholesalers, farmers, millers, and other related industries.

    The PGIC is one organization formed under the advisory of NFA. It is now headed by its president, Retired Gen. Frederick Romero.

    Romero, according to the NFA, is a certified seeds grower and a grains businessman in Aklan.

    PGIC serves as umbrella organizations of grains retainers, grains confederation, farmers, millers, and grains wholesalers and retailers.

    Meanwhile, NFA-Aklan is on its sustained palay procurement in the different rice-producing areas in the province.

    Tindog said the NFA procurement team will be buying palay in Liloan, Malinao this week. NFA buys palay at P17.40 per kilo when delivered at the grains center and P17.20 per kilo in the field.

    The NFA here is also preparing for local milling. It is also preparing its warehouse for farmers who would be selling their produce to the food agency, as well as its forthcoming share of imported rice in preparation for El Niño.

    Despite the El Niño threat, Tindog revealed there are still farmers who are buying certified seeds from them for planting this cropping season.

    Tindog attributed this to some areas in the province which continues to have enough supply of water for their ricefields despite the dry spell now felt in some areas of the province.

    Aklan, according to PAGASA, will be moderately affected by the El Niño. El Niño is predicted to last until July of this year. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

BFAR, may action plan laban sa El Niño

    Gagawa ng hakbang ang Bureau of Aquatic and Fisheries Resources (BFAR) dito sa lalawigan ng Aklan para matulungan ang mga mangingisda at mga may ari ng palaisdaan na hindi gaanong malugi sa panahon ng El Niño.

    Ang plano ng BFAR ay sumasaklaw din sa mga may-ari ng talaba at tahong farms na bibigyan din ng tulong.

    Ayon kay Alice Robelo ng BFAR-Aklan, may 25 hektarya ng palaisdaan sa Aklan na nanganganib na maapektuhan ng El Niño, at dahil ditto, 25 na nagnamay-ari ng palaisdaan ang bibigyan nga 125,000 na milkfish (bangus) fingerlings. Bibigyan din ang ibang apektado sa mga lalawigan ng Capiz at Iloilo.

    Ayon sa PAGASA, ang Aklan ay "moderately" affected ng El Niño samantalang ang mga lalawigan ng Capiz, Iloilo at Negros Occidental sa Western Visayas ay "highly vulnerable areas". (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Turn-over ng communal irrigation system sa Ibajay, Aklan, gaganapin

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Isang community irrigation system na papakinabangan ng 285 na mga magsasaka sa 220 hektaryang taniman ang itu-turn-over ng National Irrigation Administration sa lokal na gobyerno ng Ibajay.

    Ayon kay Engr. Rizalo Concepcion, NIA-Aklan Division Manager, ang turn-over ceremony ng San Jose Irrigation System sa Ibajay, Aklan, ay gaganapin sa Pebrero 22 ng taong kasalukuyan sa pamamagitan ng isang ribbon-cutting at blessing, na susundan ng isang maiksing programa sa Sitio Mangga, Naile, ibajay, Aklan.

    Ayon sa NIA, ang proyekto ay nagkakahalaga ng P11 milyon, na nanggaling sa P6 bilyon na alokasyon para sa pagkumpuni at pag rehabilitate ng mga communal irrigation system sa Luzon Urban Beltway at Central Philippines sa pamamagitan ni Aklan Representative Florencio T. Miraflores.

    Matutulungan ng irrigation system ang mga magsasaka ng Naile, San Jose, Naligusan at Rizal, lahat mga barangay ng Ibajay.

    Inaasahan din na ang pag turn-over ng irrigation system ang makakatulong ng malaki sa mga magsasaka na hindi masyadong maapektuhan ang kanilang mga palayan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Search on for 10 Outstanding Aklanons of 2010

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The search is on for Aklan's Outstanding Aklanons of 2010, as this "golden" province celebrates its 54^th founding anniversary.

    The awarding of Outstanding Aklanons is one of the permanent highlights of Aklan's celebration of its provincehood, to give recognition and honor to Aklan's sons and daughters who had done the Aklanons proud; who have served well, benefiting a great number of people through the years.

    According to Dr. Reinalda Magdaluyo, Chairperson of the Committee on Outstanding Aklanons, anybody can nominate for Outstanding Aklanons.

    To qualify, nominees must have been born with either Aklanon parents or have lived and served Aklan for not less than 25 years, and the impact of his or her achievements must have benefited a great number of people for a long period of time.

    The nominee must also have a consistent demonstration of exemplary conduct, morality and ethical behavior, and must recognize and acknowledge himself or herself as an Aklanon.

    The nominee must submit his/her biodata, picture and other supporting documents. The deadline for submission of nomination forms is on or before March 15, 2010.

    Once selected, the awardee must continuously uphold the criteria for consistent demonstration of exemplary conduct, to avoid recall of the award.

    The province of Aklan became a separate province from Capiz on April 25, 1956, when then President Ramon Magsaysay signed RA1414. The separation from Capiz of Aklan as a province was realized through a bill filed by then Congressman Godofredo P. Ramos, which earned for him the title "Father of Aklan."

    When the province turned 50 in 2006, President Arroyo, who was the guest speaker in the commemorative program, called Aklan "the golden province" for helping propel the country's economic growth through its thriving tourism industry brought by the world-famous Boracay Island as well as by other attractions and local industries. (PIA/

NIA conducts river channeling to irrigate Aklan’s El Niño-vulnerable farms

Kalibo, Aklan -- The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is conducting river channeling to enable irrigation water to reach ricefields especially those at tail-end portions badly needing water.

According to NIA-Aklan, riceplants are now at its most sensitive and important stage – flowering.

John B. Reynado, Sr. Water Resources Facilities Technician of NIA-Aklan said river channeling is now conducted in 2 areas of Aklan River to enable irrigation water to flow to farms in Barangay Sigcay in Banga and in Malinao.

The NIA has deployed standby equipment in the areas – a bulldozer and a backhoe – to be used in channeling the river water to irrigation canals.

Channeling is essential as the water level in the riverbed has gone very low, unable to reach the intake portions of irrigation systems.

Reynado said NIA Aklan is implementing the rotation method of water distribution to farms, and appealed for the help and cooperation of irrigators associations in the eastern and western part of Aklan for the orderly distribution of irrigation water.

"I also appeal to farmer-beneficiaries not to fight over water distribution. If there are problems, contact our NIA field personnel," Reynado said.

Reynado also called on farmers not to throw garbage in irrigation canals to enable water to reach the farms smoothly and to prevent water wastage. Too, he reminded duck-raisers not to interfere with water distribution, diverting water to their ponds/farms for their ducks, because at this point, flowering riceplants need it the most.

Besides river-channeling, NIA is also planning to install shallow tube wells at tail-ends of irrigations systems to help mitigate the effect of El Niño in ricefarms.

NIA-Aklan is now conducting round-the –clock monitoring of the irrigation water situation in Aklan, led by its Division Manager Rizalo Concepcion.

Aklan, along with neighboring province Antique, was assessed by PAGASA to be moderately affected by El Niño, while Capiz, Iloilo and Negros Occidental are considered as "highly-vulnerable areas". (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan to mark Women’s Month March 10

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The province of Aklan will be marking this year's celebration of Women's Month on March 10 with various activities with emphasis on Aklanon women's welfare and empowerment.

    The observation is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 224 and 227 and Republic Act No. 6949 which provide for the yerly observance of March as National Women's Month.

    This year's theme, according to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in its Memorandum Circular No. 1 sent to all heads of constitutional bodies, departments, bureaus and agencies of the national government, LGUs, GOCCs with original charters and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), this year's theme of the celebration is "Babae, tagumpay ka ng Bayan!"

    This is to highlight women's achievement in paving the way for women's advancement and empowerment amidst major challenges. It also celebrates the success of women's commitment to pursue equality which resulted in the enactment of the Magna Carta of Women.

    The Magna Carta of Women is a comprehensive women's human rights law signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on august 14, 2009.

    The theme also celebrates the achievements in the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) including those related to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

    This year's celebration, according to the memorandum circular, aims to inspire and increase understanding of microentrepreneurs, partners from government agencies, non-government organizations, , academe and the private sector on microenterprise development, government programs and services that responds to the issues and concerns of the Filipino women, including but not limited to women's rights, environment, family and work life balance as well as to inculcate knowledge among partner-government agencies and the private sector on the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Magna Carta of Women.

    The celebration also aims to increase awareness of the general public on the platforms of the presidentiables and other elective officials to advance the status of women.

    In response to this, the Aklan Gender Commission (AGADC), chaired by Aklan Governor Carlito s. Marquez, will be setting a Candidates' Forum in Aklan to serve as a venue for provincial and municipal candidates in the province to present their platforms of government for the welfare, benefit and advancement of Aklanon women.

    Other activities to be held by the province led by the AGADC include aThanksgiving Mass on March 10, 2010 at the Kalibo Cathedral, motorcade around Kalibo and then a program at the Aklan Comprehensive Center for Women; while livelihood trainings, jobs fair for call center agents through PESO and DOLE, Training on VAWC Laws by MOVE/AGADC; Pap Smear, Blood typing, FBS and BP check-up by the PNRC and the DOH; Medical Mission by OWWA, PESO and Globe; Vegetable Seeds Distribution, Orientation on Magna Carta for Women and DAR Ladies' Association Forum for DAR-Aklan Employees will be conducted as determined by sponsoring agencies and AGADC committees.

    This year's activities for Women's Month celebration in Aklan were discussed and determined during AGADC's first regular meeting held February 16 at the Aklan Comprehensive Center for Women. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan women get empowered through entrepreneurship

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The province of Aklan through the Aklan Gender and Development Commission (AGADC) chaired by Governor Carlito S. Marquez has started the ball rolling in empowering some skilled but determined Aklanon women bent to overcome the "binding ropes" of poverty by providing them seed capital for their various entrepreneurial ventures.

    The seed capital, amounting to P100,000.00, came as an offshoot last year when the province celebrated Women's Month with the theme centered on "Go Negosyo".

    "Go Negosyo" is one of the programs of the national government to encourage Filipinos, especially women, to venture into the world of business to improve not only their quality of life but those of their children's.

    One of Aklan's activities last year included a skills training on food processing initiated by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authroity (TESDA) attended by women from various towns here.

To support the women after their skills training, the AGADC provided the group with P100,000.00 seed capital, which was divided among twenty association members, providing each with P5,000.00.

In providing them the fund to start their respective businesses, Governor Marquez assured them that the fund will be interest-free. However, they will pay back through a roll-over scheme, so others will also benefit from the program. They were also assured that once they have paid in full, they could again borrow, but the amount will be higher, thus increasing their capital for their business.

Calling themselves "Empowered Women of Aklan" or     EWA, the group is also assisted by the Department of Trade and Industry, the TESDA and other related agencies in their business as to packaging, preservation and other important business details.

Bernadette Honiggman, one of the group members, said each of them has her own business venture according to her skills. The women are engaged in food processing like tocino-making, longganiza and many others.

Honiggman, for her part, said she engages in baking cakes, cookies, carrot muffins, strawberry muffins and oatmeal muffins. She sells her products at the Provincial Capitol canteen and other outlets.

"My products are always a sell-out and I'm lucky because I also get inputs from the Provincial Cooperative Office (PCO) on how to manage my business. We are really grateful to the Provincial Government for giving us this opportunity to empower us women and improve our quality of life", Honiggman told AGADC members.

The EWA has its own set of officers and the group meets regularly for updates on their individual ventures.

The AGADC is hopeful that members of EWA will grow, so that more Aklanon women will be empowered, thus being true to this year's Women's Month celebration, "Babae, tagumpay ka ng Bayan". (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

NIA conducts rotational water distribution to Aklan’s El Niño vulnerable ricelands

    Kalibo, Aklan -- The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) here is currently conducting the rotational method of water distribution to Aklan's 750 hectares of rice farms found vulnerable to El Niño.

    Rice plants on these farms, according to NIA, are on their reproductive growth stage and the farmers are now worried their farms will be greatly affected by the dry spell.

    Of the 750 hectares of ricefarms vulnerable to El Niño, 400 hectares are under the National Irrigation System (NIS) while 350 hectares are under Communal Irrigation System (CIS).

    As measures to save these farmlands, the NIA has deployed standby equipment (bulldozer and backhoe) for river channeling, on top of the conduct of rotational method of water distribution.

    NIA also projects to install shallow tube wells at the tail-end portions of irrigation canals for farms under the NIS.

    For farms under the CIS, NIA will also be installing shallow tube wells at the tail-end portions of canals while sustaining its rotational method of water distribution in the farms.

    There are two river irrigation systems under the NIS namely Aklan RIS in the east and west side, and the Panakuyan River System, while the CIS has 32 irrigation systems located in most towns of the province.

    Presently, a total of 3,804 hectares of ricefarms under NIS on reproductive growth and 1,794 hectares under CIS are closely monitored by the NIA.

Aklan has been assessed by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as one of the 24 provinces in the country which is "moderately vulnerable" to El Niño. Another Panay province included in this classification is Antique, while the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental had been identified as "highly vulnerable areas. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan to award re-greening, beautification contest winners

    Kalibo, Aklan –The province of Aklan is set to award its second batch of winners of the Re-greening and Beautification Contest from the eastern and western part of the province on February 16 at the ABL Sports Complex.

    Supervising Tourism Operations Officer of Aklan Roselle Q. Ruiz said the awarding will be held to coincide with the first anniversary of "Concert at the Park", launched last year on Valentine's Day.

    The re-greening and beautification contest was launched in November 2008 as part of Aklan's rehabilitation project to beautify Aklan's roadsides after the province was struck by Typhoon Frank, destroying roadside trees and ornamental plants along the roadsides.

    It was also launched to serve as attraction for tourists passing along the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) from Caticlan, Malay to Cabangila, Altavas, the provincial boundary.

    Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez, main proponent of the project, will lead in the awarding ceremonies.

    As in the first contest, there are two sets of winners – 1 for the eastern town of the province and another for the western part municipalities.

    For the eastern part, 1^st prize winner is Barangay Calizo in Balete; 2^nd prize, Barangay Feliciano, Balete; and 3^rd prize, Barangay Camanci of Batan. These barangays will receive P50,000, P35,000 and P20,000 respectively.

    For the western side, first prize is Barangay Tagas of Tangalan while Sta. Cruz Bigaa in Lezo placed second and 3^rd prize, Poblacion Malinao.

    For the residential category, winners include Mary Claire de la Cruz of Libas, Banga; second, Luzviminda Estimada of Jumarap, Banga, and 3^rd, Mateo Soncuya of Libas, Banga. For the western side, respective winners are Ernesto B. Salondico of Barangay Nagustan, Nabas, 1^st prize; Ramonito S. Rebustes, 2^nd; and Rally F. Saba of Brgy. Gibon, 3^rd. These winners will receive a plaque of recognition and cash prizes of P15,000, P10,000 and P5,000 respectively.

    Consolation prize winners for barangay category and residential category will also be awarded.

    The re-greening and beautification project is also seen as beneficial to the environment. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources here, trees and ornamental plants held absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants. In time for dry spells and El Niño, the roots of the trees, ornamental plants and flowering shrubs help hold water and moisture in the soil. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

DENR, MAY BAG-O NGA SEKRETARYO

    Ginbutang bilang bag-o nga sekretaryo sang Department of Environment and Natural Resources sini lang ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo si Director Horacio Ramos sang Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

    Ginpahibalo ini nga top-level personnel movement sa isa ka media briefing ni Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita sa Malolos, Bulacan.

    Ang ginbuslan nga Sekretaryo, si Eleazar Quinto, ang gin appoint nga director-general sang Presidential Coalition Affairs Office. Ginbuslan niya si Maricor Imperial, nga gin appoint nga Cabinet Secretary sa pagbulos kay Silvestre Bello. III.

    Nag resign si Bello sa iya posisyon agud magdalagan nga senador sa idalum sang partido Lakas Kampi-CMD sand administrasyon. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PGMA, PADAYON NGA MAGATRABAHO PARA SA MGA LAMHARON

    Padayon nga magatinguha si Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo nga mahatagan sang maayo nga kabuhi ang mga lamharon nga henerasyon bisan nakapaog na siya sa pagka pangulo sa Hunyo.

    Ginhimo sang Pangulo ang pagpasalig sa inagurasyon sang Bulacan Polytechnic University sa Brgy. Graceville sa San Jose del Monte City. Ginsugid niya sa mga estudyante, ginikanan kag mga manunudlo nga nagatrabaho siya sang maayo agud ma improbar ang sistema sa edukasyon para sa magasunod nga henerasyon sang mga Pilipino.

    Ginsugid ni PGMA nga gusto sang gobyerno nga mangin masanag ang paalabuton sang mga mapisan nga mga kalalakihan kag kababayihan sa pungsod, ilabi na gid ang mga manunudlo nga nagahurma sang mga estudyante.

    Suno sa iya, gusto niya makita nga ang progreso nga natigayon sa iya administrasyon pagapadayunon sang madason nga liderato. Ginsiling niya sa mga manunudlo kag ginikanan nga suportahan ang madason nga administrasyon sa pagtinguha sini nga maghatag sang maayo nga palaabuton sa ila mga kabataan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)