PALASYO, NAGAPANGAYO BULIG SA MGA PILIPINO PARA SA TAGA ALBAY

Nag-apelar ang Malacanang sa mga Pilipino nga buligan man ang mga residente sang Albay nga naga gulutok sa mga evacuation centers samtang ang Bulkan nga Mayon padayon nga nagapakita sang senyales sang maabot nga paglupok.

Ginhimo ang pagpanawagan ni Presidential Economic Spokesperson Gary Olivar bilang sabat sa hinyo sang opisyales sang Albay para sa kadugangan nga bulig sa mga evacuees nga nagapangatubang sang masubo nga paskwa sa padayon nga pag-alburuto sang Mayon.

Padayon nga nagapaabot ang gobyerno sa mga evacuees sang mga pagkaon, bulong, habol, kag iban pa gid nga mga kinahanglanon apang ang kadugangan nga bulig daku gid ang mahimo agud mapahagan-hagan ang pag-antus sang mga tawo.

Nagpasalig si Olivar nga bisan linibo nga kilometro ang kalayuon sang HongKong, si Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang nagapadala sang iya mga direktiba sa tanan nga ahensya sang gobyerno agud masiguro ang 'zero casualty' kon maglupok gid man ang Mayon.

Suno sa iya, ang gobyerno nasyonal, paagi sa Department of National Defense, Department of Social Welfare and Development, ang gobyerno probinsyal sang Albay kag ang Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology maayo ang pagmanehar sang sitwasyon.

Padayon subong nga nagapaguwa sang aso ang Bulkan Mayon nga nagbilin sang abo sa mga malapit nga lugar.

Nagpaandam ang mga health officials nga ang mga gagmay nga partikulo sang yab-ok mahimo nga makatuga sang respiratory problems ukon masakit sa panit. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

2010 BUDGET SANG PALASYO, MAGATAPOS SANG MGA PROYEKTO SANG GOBYERNO

Ginsambit sang Malacanang sini lang ang mabaskog nga suporta nga ginhatag sang Kongreso sa P1.5406 trillion nga gina proponer nga budget para sa 2010 sa pagsiling nga maayo ini sa paghimo sang mga importante nga programa kag proyekto nga ginhimo sa idalum sang administrasyon ni Presidente Arroyo.

Suno kay Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, ang pag aprobar sang Bicameral Conference Committee sang 2010 General Appropriations Act (GAA) nagapasalig sa nasyon sang sigidas nga pagtubo sini sa maabot nga mga tuig.

Sa bahin naman ni Presidential Spokesperson Gary Olivar, wala nya ginsapak ang mga negatibo nga obserbasyon sa budget sa pag indikar nga magasunod ang gobyerno sa ginatalana sang GAA. Suno sa iya, mahapos lamang magpasibangud ilabi nag id sa tiyempo sang pamulitika.

Nadumduman ni Press Secretary Cerge Remonde nga sa iya mensahe para sa budget sa Kongresonga si PGMA nagsiling nga magamadinalag-on lamang ang iya mga proyekto kag programa kon paga adoptahon ini sang lehislatura bilang nagapanguna man nila nga prayoridad.

Suno sa Press Secretary, ang GAA sang madason nga tuig magapabakod sang pagbangon sang nasyon sa krisis sa ekonomiya kag problema pinansyal dala sang global fiscal crisis kag mga natural nga kalamidad.

Ang sector sa edukasyon ang ginhatagan sang pinakadaku nga budget nga may P185.5 billion; nga ginsundan sang imprastractura nga may P126.9 billion. Ang iban pa gid nga alokasyonamo ang P79.9 billion para sa pension kag gratuity, P20.8 billion para sa land reform; P30.4 billion para sa ikaayong lawas, P16.6 billion para sa transportasyon kag komunikasyon, kag P15.3 billion para sa social welfare kag development. (PIA/vgv)

PALASYO, KUMPYANSA SANG MABASKOG KAG MAPAGSIK NGA EKONOMIYA SA 2010

Nagpaabot sang kumpyansa ang Malacanang nga ang ekonomiya sang pungsod mangin mabaskog kag mapagsik sa 2010 bangud sa mga reporma sa ekonomiya nga ginsuguran ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo kag sa pagbangon sang pangkalibutan nga ekonomiya.

Sa isa ka pakipag-angot sa Radyo ng Bayan, si Presidential Spokesperson for Economic Affairs Professor Gary Olivar ang nagsiling nga ang mga reporma pang-ekonomiya nga ginsuguran ni Presidente Arroyo mahimo mapadayon sang magabulos sa iya.

Ginpanan-aw niya nga ang pakig negosyo sang Pilipinas sa mayor sini nga mga pareha ang padayon nga magadugan dala na ang pagtaas sang pagkunsumo sa sulod sang pungsod ka gang pagkinahanglan nga magapabutwa sang ekonomiya sa madason nga tuig.

Una sini, ginpanan-aw sang National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) nga ang Gross domestic Product (GDP) magadaku sang 2.6% tubtub 3.6 % sa madason nga tuig.

Ginsiling ni Olivar nga ang pinakamabaskog nga punto sang Pilipinas amo ang mga remittances nga tuga sang mga OFWs, ang outsourcing kag foreshoring sector kag ang pagpangapital halin sa pribado nga sector.

Ginsiling man sang NEDA nga ang nagapatubo sang ekonomiya amo ang negosyo, turismo kag business process outsourcing, construction, pagmina kag pag-quarry, serbisyo sang gobyerno kag air transportation.

Para sa madason nga tuig, ginapana-aw sang NEDA nga ang magapadaku sang ekonomiya amo ang manufacturing, finance, transportation, communication kag storage, kag sector sa agrikultura.

Sa pihak sang mahinay nga pagtubo sang GDP kumpara sa iban nga tuig, nadala ang Pilipinas sa pila sa mga kaingud nga nasyon sa Asya nga nakaagum sang positibo nga pagtubo sa tunga sang pangkalibutan nga krisis sa ekonomiya. (PIA/vgv)

Aklan has enough Noche Buena goods for Christmas, DTI assures

Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan has enough goods for the Christmas season, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here.

DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado Cadena said this is so because Aklan is the anchor point of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SNRH) that regularly ferries in RORO vessels, buses and delivery vans bringing goods from Luzon, replenishing stocks in groceries, supermarkets and wet markets here.

Director Cadena said the DTI is currently monitoring prices of goods nationwide per instruction of Sec. Peter Favila.

Focus of DTI's monitoring this season is the prices and supplies of the so-called Noche Buena products. In Aklan, Director Cadena said establishments are adhering to the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) set by the department.

"During our monitoring, we even found out that some Noche Buena products had reduced their prices compared with the earlier period," Cadena said.

Even then, he called on Aklanon consumers to be vigilant, and to report to proper agencies if they find some establishments overpricing their products.

Besides monitoring manufactured products, the DTI is also assisting the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the monitoring of agriculture products which are also Noche Buena mainstays like pork, chicken, beef, eggs, etc. The DTI is also monitoring the price of sugar. These products, excluding sugar, are produced locally.

With just a week before Christmas, Director Cadena advised Aklanons to buy their Christmas needs early to avoid big crowds and unplanned purchases.

"Do not be last-minute shoppers. Plan your purchases. If you don't, you will tend to buy anything on sight without scrutinizing the products well," he added.

Besides montoring of prices and supplies of Noche Buena products, the DTI is also monitoring this season other products like Christmas lights and manufactured firecrackers.

According to Director Cadena, the DTI will be monitoring firecracker manufacturers and traders together with the Philippine National Police.

"We will be going around Kalibo with the PNP to monitor if the the firecrackers being sold here are standard and if these have correct labellings," Cadena said.

The monitoring is also to ensure that firecracker manufacturers are complying with regulations, according to the DTI. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PGMA, gin-update sa $250M Clean Technology Grant

Gin-update si Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sa $250-million Clean Technology Fund nga igahatag sang Asian Development Bank (ADB) kag World Bank (WB) agud buligan ang nasyon nga mapahagan-hagan ang epekto sang pagbaylo sang klima ukon Climate Change.

Ang grant, nga ginpaagi sa Department of Energy (DOE) ang may katumbas nga $2.75 billion nga investments nga kinahanglanon agud mabuhinan ang greenhouse gases kag padasigon ang pag implementar sang iban nga proyekto kag programa.

Sa isa ka meeting sa Malacanang, si Sohail Hasnie, ADB senior energy specialist ang nagsiling nga samtang inug release pa lang ang pundo, ang Pilipinas nagapanguna na subong sa clean technology work nga ginahimo na sa karon.

Gindugang pa gid sang DOE nga ang Pilipinas nagapanguna nga nasyon sa kalibutan may kaangtanan sa renewable energy kon diin ginagamit sini ang aplikasyon sa 43% sang kabilugan nga primary energy supply. Ugaling, ang nasyon ang isa sa may pinakamanubo nga per capita electricity consumption rate sa East Asia region.

Ang $250-million fund kabahin sang Philippine Clean Technology Fund Country Investment Plan, nga ara sa Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (2004-2010), Philippine Energy Plan (2008-2030), National Environmentally Sustainable Transport Strategy, kag iban pa gid nga sector plans.

Ang mga opisyales sang gobyerno nga nag-atender sa meeting amo kanday Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, Finance Undersecretary Jeremias Paul, kag Transportation and Communication Undersecretary Anneli Lontoc.

Ang mga opisyales sang ADB kag WB nga nagpakigkita kay Presidente Arroyo amo kanday ADB country director Neeraj Jain, ADB Principal Planning and Coordination Specialist Samuel Tumiwa; WB country director Bert Hoffman, WB sector leader for sustainable development Mark Woodland, kag WB Philippines transport sector coordinator Victor Dato. Si Jasper Virola sang International Finance Corp. and nag-atender man sa meeting. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Enjoy a hazard-free holiday : buy only ICC-marked Christmas lights, DTI tells Aklanons

Kalibo, Aklan -- With a little more than just a week to celebrate Christmas, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here is reminding Aklanons who might still catch up with decorations for the season to buy only Christmas lights with Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark.

The ICC, according to the DTI, ensures the product's quality and safe use.

"In preparation with the fast-approaching Christmas season, the DTI prompts consumers to be extra cautious in buying Christmas lights to enjoy a hazard-free holiday, " said DTI Secretary Peter Favila in his press information materials sent through DTI provincial offices for awareness of the general public.

"Those cheap and uncertified sets of Christmas lights pose great hazards to its users, such as electric shock and overheating that often leads to fire. Only those Christmas lights with the ICC marks are safe and reliable to use as these products passed the required safety tests and inspections based on a specific standard," Sec. Favila added.

DTI regulates the sale of Christmas lights in the local market to protect consumers from the hazards posed by this critical product. Under the Bureau of Product Standards' (BPS) Product Certification Scheme, all importers of Christmas lights are required to have their import shipments (on a per Bill of Lading basis) subjected to sampling and testing based on the requirement of Philippine National Standards on Christmas lights (PNS 189:2000) at the BPS Testing Center, prior to its sale. Only those importers whose products comply with PNS requirements are issued with the ICC Certificate, and are authorized to affix the ICC mark in their products. The ICC mark comes in sticker form and is not directly printed on the package.

DTI Consumer Welfare Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, for her part, stressed that the DTI has only allowed the distribution and sale of sets of Christmas lights with the ICC certificate issued from 2007 to 2009, and requested the buying public to examine this on the ICC stickers before their purchase.

This is important, according to USEC Maglaya, since the wires of Christmas lights become brittle after some time and pose danger to the users.

In earlier pronouncements, DTI-Aklan, through Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena, has constantly reminded Aklanons at the approach of the Christmas season to buy only Christmas lights from authorized establishments.

He also told Aklanons to refrain from buying Christmas lights sold at sidewalks or those sold by peddlers. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PGMA, NAGKOMEMORAR SANG IKA- 500,000th NGA ICT MILESTONE

Gin komemorar ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sang Disyembre 10 ang isa na naman ka markado nga kahigayunan sa pagtinguha sang gobyerno nga mahatagan sang trabaho ang mga Pilipino sa pagkapasulod sa obra sang ika 500,000^th nga empleyado sa industriya sang information and communications technology (ICT).

Personal nga ginpakitaan sang Presidente ang duha ka pinakaulihi nga nakasulod sang obra sa TOEI Animation Co., sa Eastwood City, Quezon City.

Ini kanday Dawna Joyce Borbon, isa ka 18 anyos nga residente sang Marikina, kag si Avelino Rufo, isa ka 20 anyos nga residente sang Caloocan City.

Si Borbon, isa sa mga linibo nga PGMA Scholars, ang ginbaton sang TOEI bilang assistant animator pagkatapos nga magkuha sang anum ka bulan nga animation course nga gintanyag sang Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)

Ginpaabot niya ang iya pagpasalamat sa Presidente sa pagsugid nga ang PGMA scholarship program naghatag sa iya sang bentaha sa iban nga mapilian nga makasulod sa TOEI.

Si Rufo, isa man ka PGMA scholar, ang nagkuha sang iya training sa animation sa Take One Animation sang PGMA Training for Work Scholarship Program. Sang matapos na niya ang iya training, ginpadala siya sa TOEI bilang in-between artist. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Wanted: Nurses for London

Kalibo, Aklan -- The Provincial Public Employment Office (PESO) here under the Provincial Government of Aklan is seeking nurse applicants for deployment to London.

Vivian Ruiz Solano, PESO-Aklan manager, said this is a big opportunity for Aklanon nurses, male or female and twenty-years (23) years old up to be able to work in London with very little expenses.

Qualified applicants, she said, can go without paying placement and other fees because these will be shouldered by the hospitals they are going to work for.

Interested applicants are urged to bring the following documents: English Test Results (IELTS) with an average score of not lower than 7.0 in all subjects; PRC pocket ID/Certificate/Board Rating; College Diploma; Transcript of Records; Birth Certificate on Security Paper (SECPA) of NSO; complete employment certifications and trainings; copy of a page of biometric passport; 2 passport-size photos; and certification/record showing that applicant has rendered at least 6 months experience as staff nurse or job order but not as a volunteer.

These documents including a resume' with photos should be saved on CD with photocopies. This must be placed inside a brown envelope for submission at the PESO office during working days.

The Provincial PESO office is located at the 2^nd floor of the Provincial Capitol Building. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PGMA, NAGPASIDUNGOG SA MGA AHENSYA SA GOBYERNO, PRIBADO NGA ORGANISASYON BANGUD SA QUALITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

Ginpasidunggan ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sang Dec. 10 ang mga nagdalaog sang tuig nga ini sa ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Certification kag Philippine Quality Award sa Malacanang.

Kwarenta ka mga national kag local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, kag government financial institutions ang nagbaton sang ila ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems (QMS) Certification halin sa Presidente.

Ang QMS certification kabahin sang panawagan sang gobyerno nga buhinan ang red tape kag magtuga sang makumpetensya nga sitwasyon sa ekonomiya.

Tatlo ka business organizations ang nagbaton sang 2009 Philippine Quality Award (PQA) nga amo ang katumbas sang nasyon sa prestihiyoso nga Baldrige National Quality Award sang U.S. Sa pagpili sang nagdalaog sang tuig nga ini, naggamit ang PQA sang 7 ka criteria: pagpamuno, stratehiya sa pagplano, pagsentro sa customer kag sa market; pag-analisar sa informasyon, pagsentro sa human resource o tinawuhan; process management, kag resulta sa negosyo.

Ginapamunuan ang PQA sang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) kag gina implementar sang DTI-Center for Industrial Competitiveness. Ang Development Academy of the Philippines ang Award Administrators para sa public sector kag Philippine Society for Quality para sa private sector.

Ginrekognisar man sang Presidente ang mga madason: 12 nga youth volunteers nga nagbaton sang 2009 Volunteers Award, ang highlight sang National Volunteer month nga ginasaulog sa Disyembre; 18 nga awardees sang Gawad sa Kampeon ng Kabataan 2009, nga nagarekognisar sang youth development sa ila Sanggunian; kag nagdalaog sa 2^nd National Service Training Program (NSTP) "Green Philippines" Awards 2009, ang nationwide search para sa pinakamaayo nga environmental program.

Ginpamunuan man sang Presidente ang paghatag sang certificates sa mga autonomous kag regulated colleges kag universities nga sigidas nga nagpakita sang tumalagsahon nga hinimuan sa paghatag sang edukasyon, research kag extension services. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Time capsule laying of the 190 lineal meter long, Our Lady of Guadalupe Bridge which will connect Barangay Daguitan to Poblacion Madalag, Aklan. The Project is under the President's Bridge Program which will benefit the Towns of Libacao and Madalag including some barangays of Banga, Aklan. In the picture are: (from left) DPWH-Aklan District Engineer, Roberto Cabigas, Libacao Mayor, Hon. Charito Navarosa, Aklan Governor, Hon. Carlito S. Marquez, Aklan Congressman, Hon. Florencio T. Miraflores, The Bridge Master, Tet Haresco, DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain, Office of the President Assistant Secretary, Victor A. Salvacion, Madalag Mayor, Hon. Rex Gubatina and Assistant Provincial Engineer, Edelson Magalit, assisting. (PIA-Aklan/JTT)

Time capsule laying of Our Lady of Guadalupe Bridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time capsule laying of the 190 lineal meter long, Our Lady of Guadalupe Bridge which will connect Barangay Daguitan to Poblacion Madalag, Aklan. The Project is under the President's Bridge Program which will benefit the Towns of Libacao and Madalag including some barangays of Banga, Aklan. In the picture are: (from left) DPWH-Aklan District Engineer, Roberto Cabigas, Libacao Mayor, Hon. Charito Navarosa, Aklan Governor, Hon. Carlito S. Marquez, Aklan Congressman, Hon. Florencio T. Miraflores, The Bridge Master, Tet Haresco, DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain, Office of the President Assistant Secretary, Victor A. Salvacion, Madalag Mayor, Hon. Rex Gubatina and Assistant Provincial Engineer, Edelson Magalit, assisting. (PIA-Aklan/JTT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time capsule laying of the 190 lineal meter long, Our Lady of Guadalupe Bridge which will connect Barangay Daguitan to Poblacion Madalag, Aklan. The Project is under the President's Bridge Program which will benefit the Towns of Libacao and Madalag including some barangays of Banga, Aklan. In the picture are: (from left) DPWH-Aklan District Engineer, Roberto Cabigas, Libacao Mayor, Hon. Charito Navarosa, Aklan Governor, Hon. Carlito S. Marquez, Aklan Congressman, Hon. Florencio T. Miraflores, The Bridge Master, Tet Haresco, DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain, Office of the President Assistant Secretary, Victor A. Salvacion, Madalag Mayor, Hon. Rex Gubatina and Assistant Provincial Engineer, Edelson Magalit, assisting. (PIA-Aklan/JTT)

 

 

 

 

Be sure to have 10 complete fingers in 2010, DOH tells Aklanons

Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklanons must make sure they still have 10 complete fingers in 2010 by avoiding using firecrackers or being very careful in handling one this Christmas season and during New Year, according to Dr. Elepoldo Magpusao, Medical Officer IV of the Department of Health (DOH) here.

With 16 days to go before Christmas, Dr. Magpusao called on Aklanons, especially the parents, not to allow their children to handle firecrackers.

"Adults should only be the ones who should handle firecrackers. However, they should avoid handling or using it when they are drunk, as they may mistake throwing other things from their hands, instead of the firecracker, which could explode in their hands. They might also throw the firecrackers indiscriminately," Dr. Magpusao told Aklanon listeners of PIA's radio program aired over IBC-DYRG in Kalibo.

Magpusao said the DOH advocacy is centered more in the prevention of firecracker injuries rather than treatment, because treatment of firecracker injuries is very painful, costly and may cost victims some of their body parts like fingers and hands.

Treating firecracker injuries is also very tedious, according to Dr. Magpusao.

"The wound should be cleaned carefully and thoroughly so as not to leave firecracker components which are dangerous and can cause tetanus. The victims must be injected with anti-tetanus injections, and in many cases, the doctors have to amputate the affected body parts to avoid infections. If a victim's body part is amputated, he is sure to be reminded every Christmas or New Year that comes in the future that parts of his body are not complete anymore. So this coming year 2010, let us make sure that we still have 10 complete fingers," Dr. Magpusao said.

Magpusao said some of the most dangerous firecrackers listed by the DOH include piccolo, kwitis, 5-star, and home-made ones.

He also called on people owning guns to avoid firing their guns during Christmas and New Year.

"Let us celebrate Christmas and New Year just right, peacefully and carefully. We can still welcome the New Year with noise, but not necessary with firecrackers which are dangerous to life and to the environment," Magpusao said.

Just recently, DOH Secretary Francisco T. Duque emphasized to the public that there are no safe firecrackers or fireworks.

"These devices are not toys and are very dangerous, especially in the hands of innocent children," Health Secretary Duque said. "We recommend a ban on the use of these devices in residential areas and encourage local authorities to designate an area where fireworks could be lighted, displayed and handled by professionals, or those who are trained in using explosive devices," he added.

Duque also disclosed that the top 5 firecrackers causing "Blast Burn with Amputation" are home-made or altered firecrackers, 5-star, camara, rebentador and whistle bomb. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

 

SERBISYO KAG AGRIKULTURA, NAGPATAAS SANG 3RD QUARTER GNP

Sa pihak sang global recession, ang Gross National Product (GNP) sang Pilipinas nagdaku sang 3.5% sa ikatlo nga quarter sang tuig nga ini, nga gin-bayaw sang sektor sa agrikultura kag serbisyo. Ang GNP amo ang sumada sang mga produkto kag serbisyo sang nasyon.

Ang Gross Domestic Product (GDP), nga amo ang GNP buhinan sang overseas remittances, ang nagdaku lamang sang 0.8% sa pareho man nga panahon. Ini mas manubo sang sa 1.5% sa ikaduha nga quarter pero sa sulod man gihapon sang target range sa tunga sang 0.8% kag 1.8% para sa tuig.

Sa isa ka press briefing pagkatapos sang NEDA Cabinet meeting nga gintambungan ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, si NEDA Director-General Augustos Santos ang nagsugid nga ang nagdaku nga produkto sa agrikultura nga wala pa maapektuhan sang Bagyong Ondoy sang Sept. 26 ang nagtabon sa negatibo nga pagtubo sa manufacturing.

Ginsiling ni Santos nga magabawi ang manufacturing sa masulod nga tuig sa pagbaskog sa pagkinahanglan sang semi-conductors. Ang semi-conductors kag electronics ang sa subong nagakumpuner sang 60% tubtub 70% sang gina-export sang Pilipinas.

Sa pihak nga bahin, ginpaabot man ni Santos nga nagapabilin nga mabaskog ang piso kontra sa US dollar, nga may Gross International Reserves (GIR) nga halos $44 billion ukon katumbas sang walo ka bulan nga balor sang imports. Ang kumportable nga GIR katumbas sang tatlo ka bulan nga imports.

Madamo nga foreign currency sa nasyon bangud sang tatlo ka rason: mabaskog nga overseas remittances, padayon nga foreign direct investments, kag ang liwat nga pagsulod sang portfolio investments ukon foreign money nga naka invest sa local nga stock market.

Sa isa ka bahin naman, ginsugid ni Santos nga nakarehistro ang Pilipinas sang 7.5% unemployment rate sa tuig nga ini kumpara sa 11% sang U.S., nga nakaguwa sa recession pagkatapos sang 3^rd quarter.

Ginrekomendar ni Santos nga magpadayon ang Pilipinas sa iya sini nga stimulus spending bisan pa nga nagapaayo pa ang global economy. Ugaling, ginsiling niya nga dapat ipabilin sang gobyerno nasyonal ang fiscal deficit sa tunga sang P230 billion kag P250 billion ukon 3.2% sang GDP. Sa karon, ang deficit ara na sa P300 billion. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan governor thanks PGMA for government projects given to province

Banga, Aklan -- He was only given three minutes to welcome President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo upon her arrival in Brgy. Venturanza here to groundbreak the country's first Biomass Power Plant December 7 on her fourth visit this year to Aklan but in essence, Governor Carlito S. Marquez was able to impart what most Aklanons wanted to say to the President – and that is to thank her for the various infrastructure and social development projects she brought to the province that made living for Aklanons better.

Among the things Governor Marquez thanked the President for were for the development of Kalibo International Airport (KIA), Boracay Circumferential Road in Boracay Island, Caticlan Airport Expansion Development, the President's Bridge Program, the Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the universal coverage program of Philhealth.

Governor Marquez proudly informed PGMA that just December 4, direct regular flights from Incheon, South Korea have started landing at the KIA and will have four flights weekly starting December 20.

"Soon, there will also be other direct flights from China and other countries," Governor Marquez told the President. On the other hand, he told the President that the circumferential road in Boracay will be named the Diosdado Macapagal Circumferential Road through an SP resolution.

Governor Marquez also thanked the President for the implementation of the 4Ps program here, with at least P7 million in cash assistance already availed by qualified beneficiaries in Libacao and Madalag. Presently, Altavas and Balete are being surveyed for inclusion to the program, but the governor is also lobbying for the town of Malinao for inclusion.

Governor Marquez also thanked the President for signing the Renewable Energy Act, which paved the way for investors to come in to Aklan, like the ASEA One Power Corporation (AOPC) which owns the Biomass Power Plant project.

The power plant, a clean energy initiative, aims to help address the critical shortfall of power supply in Western Visayas.

The project is seen to provide economic benefits to the community through employment generation and extra income to some 70,000 farmers in the province who could sell their agricultural waste to the power plant. The agricultural waste will be utilized by the power plant as fuel.

The governor also acknowledged the significance of the new RORO route also launched by PGMA during her visit to the economic development efforts of the province. The route, through the Super shuttle Ferry 2, offers cheap transportation fares to passengers from Dumaguit, New Washington, Aklan going to Batangas, and to shippers and businessmen here who would find it easier to bring their products or vehicles to Luzon, and vice versa. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PGMA groundbreaks RP’s 1st biomass power plant; launches new RORO route in Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visited Aklan today to groundbreak the country's first Biomass Power Plant and to launch the new RORO route from Aklan to Batangas via Odiongan, Romblon.

Arriving at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) at 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon, the President and her party, along with Aklan officials, motored straight to Venturanza, Banga, Aklan for the broundbreaking ceremony of the project.

The ceremony was witnessd by Aklan officials led by Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores, Governor Carlito S. Marquez, Vice Governor Gabrielle C. Quimpo, SP officials and Banga LGU officials led by Acting mayor Melanio Rentillo, officials of ASEA One Power Corporation (AOPC), barangay constituents and the media.

Immediately after lowering the time capsule, Aklan governor Carlito Marquez welcomed President Arroyo to the activity and thanked her for the various developmental and social projects in Aklan from her administration like the President's Bridge Program and the Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which has already provided some P7 million cash assistance to qualified beneficiaries.

Paul Rodriguez, President of AOPC on the other hand, briefed PGMA on the various socio-economic benefits to be derived by the province and the community with the putting up of the biomass power plant. He also showed PGMA various samples of agricultural waste like hay and rice hull which will be used as fuel of the plant.

The BioMass Power Plant is owned by AOPC, a $30,000,000 (P1.44 billion) investment which aims to produce clean energy from indigenous agricultural and forest residues as primary feedstock such as rice straw, rice and coconut husks and woodchips. The power plant will be on a distributed and embedded system to prevent total blackout and reduce the cost of power generation. It will be equipped with highly-efficient boiler, turbine and generator set and electrostatic precipitator (ESP) to control ash emission.

From Venturanza, Banga, PGMA motored to Dumaguit, New Washington, Aklan. Along the way, the Presidential convoy was cheered by schoolchildren waving flaglets.

At the Dumaguit Port, the President was welcomed by New Wahington Mayor Edgar Peralta while Super Shuttle RORO Corp. Pres. Paul Rodriguez briefed her on the new RORO route.

The President also talked with two beneficiaries of the new RORO route – Edgar Sabino, a junk shop owner, and John Rey Biadnes, a crew of the Super Shuttle Ferry 2.

Sabino said the new RORO route will be a big help to his junk shop business, as he could deliver his products with less expenses and less people to pay which means big savings on his part.

The RORO route by the Super shuttle Ferry will have very cheap passenger fares ranging from P600 for the economy class and P800 for the tourist class. Passengers debarking in Odiongan, Romblon will only pay P450.00.

Besides from some more or less 354 passengers it could carry, it can also load 20 wheelers, 6 wheelers and 4 wheelers.

The new route will leave Dumaguit every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

New Aklan RORO route to Batangas to make travel for Aklanons cheaper, faster

Kalibo, Aklan -- The new RORO route from Dumaguit, New Washington, Aklan to Batangas via Odiongan, Romblon, which will be launched by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on December 7 will open cheap, affordable and fast sea transportation from Eastern Aklan to Luzon.

The province has another RORO route from Caticlan to Luzon via Mindoro on the western side.

According to Lowell M. Elim, Business Development Manager of Super Shuttle Ferry Corporation, the vessel, Super Shuttle Ferry 2, can accommodate 354 passengers and big rolling vehicles.

A passenger from Aklan going to Batangas will pay only P600.00 for the one-way trip, while those debarking only in Odiongan, Romblon will pay P450.00.

The RORO vessel will make three trips weekly from Aklan on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 12 noon. From Batangas, it will have trips to Dumaguit on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 3:00 p.m.

The new route is expected to bring many socio-economic benefits to Aklanons. Constituents coming from the Eastern side of Aklan from the towns of Altavas, Batan, Balete, Banga, Kalibo and New Washington need not go anymore to Caticlan, Malay, spending time and transportation fare to take the RORO vessels in Caticlan but instead will take the Super Shuttle Ferry 2 that can accommodate passengers and their cargoes, including big vehicles. Shippers will also find it easier to send and receive their cargoes with the opening of the new RORO route.

The opening of the new route is also seen to generate jobs for the people in the immediate community. It will generate business opportunities that could provide additional revenues for the municipality of New Washington.

The new RORO route has long been requested by the local government of New Washington, headed by its mayor, Hon. Edgar Peralta. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Biomass power plant to help reduce green house effects, assure energy needs, says Aklan solon

Kalibo, Aklan -- The putting up of a Biomass Power Plant in Agbanawan, Banga, Aklan is one way of reducing the environment's green house effect and at the same time be an answer to Aklan's energy needs, according to Aklan's representative to the Lone District of Aklan, Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores.

"The Biomass Power Plant in Banga is the first of its kind in the country – using agricultural waste as fuel for the plant like coconut husks, rice straws and wood chips", Rep. Miraflores told Aklanon listeners over station GMA-DYRU during his regular weekly report of his activities in Congress.

Miraflores also told the listeners that no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be coming to Aklan on December 7 to inaugurate the Biomass Power Plant.

The 12 MW power plant is owned by One Asia Power Corporation (OAPC), a Clean Energy Base Load project. Its business plan has been awarded First Place winner during the business competition, 1^st Private Finance Advising Network (PFAN) during the Philippines Clean Energy Investor Forum held June 15, 2009 in Manila.

Miraflores said that besides the Biomass Power Plant, another model of generating renewable energy is the hydro-electric power plant, which has potentials in the towns of Libacao and Madalag in Aklan.

"The two models are part of the major thrust of the national government to use renewable energy and not bunker fuel, which has green house effects and has brought typhoons and floods in the country," Miraflores said. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PGMA to visit Aklan tomorrow

Kalibo, Aklan -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be gracing Aklan tomorrow, December 7, with her 4^th visit for the year to inaugurate the country's first Biomass power plant and to launch the RORO route from Dumaguit, New Washington, Aklan to Batangas via Odiongan, Romblon.

The Biomass Power Plant is owned by ASEA One Power Corporation (AOPC), which will have its plant at Agbanawan, Banga, Aklan.

Visioning to be a leader in the Philippines' biomass energy, demonstrate profitable business model and generate social and environmental benefits, the 12 MW Biomass Power Plant is expected to be operational in January 2011.

The power plant, according to Jedi Jim Carcallas, ASEA One Power development communications officer, will utilize local agricultural residues such as rice stalks/hulls, rice straws, sugarcane waste, bagasse, coconut shells and coconut husks.

The putting up of the power plant in Agbanawan, Banga is seen to provide green collar employment to the people in the community which is lay-off proof and will benefit the province' 70,000 farmers and mill workers. It would also provide extra income to Aklanons as the plant will be buying agricultural waste and forest residues from them amounting to almost P100,000 annually.

Feedstocks suppliers will also be beneficiaries of a profit-sharing program, while farmers will be given the bottom ash as soil conditioners in their farmlands.

Once operational, the power plant will help solve the critical shortfall of power supply in Western Visayas, according to AOPC.

Paul Rodriguez, AOPC President, will brief PGMA on the Biomass Project.

After the groundbreaking ceremonies highlighted by President Arroyo's lowering of the time capsule, the group will proceed to Dumaguit, New Washington to launch the RORO route from Dumaguit to Batangas via Odiongan, Romblon.

The route will be plied by the Super Shuttle Ferry, a vessel that could accommodate 354 passengers and big vehicles, according to Lowell M. Elim, Business Development Officer of Super Shuttle Ferry Corporation. It will have three trips from Dumaguit weekly – Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday every 12 noon, while its trip schedule from Batangas is on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The route will provide a cheap passage from Dumaguit to Batangas for Aklanons, costing them P600 if they are going to Batangas, and P450.00 if they are only up to Odiongan, Romblon.

President Arroyo's visit to Aklan December 7 is the third leg of her visit to Panay Island, visiting first the Province of Iloilo, then Capiz, and finally, Aklan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Country’s first biomass power plant to bring socio-economic benefits to Aklanons

Kalibo, Aklan -- The country's first biomass power plant which will be put up at Agbanawan, Banga, Aklan will be bringing many socio-economic benefits to the Aklanon community.

To be inaugurated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo December 7, the power plant, owned by by ASEA One Power Corporation (AOPC), is expected to be operationalized in January 2011, and is a waste to energy initiative offering power that is clean, green, dependable affordable and renewable.

With an investment of P1,440,000,000.00, the project will bring about P810,000 benefit to the host community annually, according to the AOPC. It will generate jobs, through green collar employment, which will be lay-off-proof, benefiting 70,000 farmers and mill workers.

It will increase farmers' income, as their agricultural waste and other forest residues which will be utilized as feedstock of the power plant will be bought from them.

Feedstocks suppliers, according to the AOPC, will also benefit from a profit-sharing program.

The project will also help eradicate poverty – one of the main goals of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration – by generating jobs, increasing incomes and , offering employment which exercises gender equality.

It has adaptation and mitigation on Climate Change and Global Warming – alleviating onslaught of supertyphoons, floods and droughts; reduce green house gas emissions factor equivalent to 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year or 1,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide for the next 25 years.

It will create an energy-secured environment too, while utilizing Aklan's indigenous indigenous residues which are either burned or left idle in the fields emitting the more potent gases.

With the economic activity in the area, there will also be an increase in the quality of livelihood, enhancement of disposable income, higher purchasing power , opportunities to attain higher level of education resulting to comfort and convenience in life of the constituents in the franchise areas of the Aklan Electric Cooperative, the possible power distributor of the AOPC to the consuming public in the immediate area.

As fiscal incentive, it will have 12% VAT exempt status on power generation being renewable energy, resulting to lower cost of power.

The AOPC business plan has been recognized and awarded as one of the most promising clean energy investment opportunities in the ASEAN region during the Business Plan Competition at the Asia Forum for Clean Energy Financing on March 4, 2009 in Singapore, organized by the Climate Technology Initiative (CTI) and the USAID. (PIA/Venus G./ Villanueva)

MGA LGUs KAG OFWs, PAGAPASIDUNGGAN NI PGMA

Pagapangunahan ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang pagrekognisar sa 14 nga mga Local Government Units (LGUs) kag dalayawon nga mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) sa simple nga seremonya sa Rizal Hall sang Malacañang.

Igahatag ni Presidente Arroyo ang 2009 Galing Pook nga mga plaque sa 14 ka mga LGUs nga may pinasahi nga programa sa local nga panimanwa.

Lima ka mga pagapasidunggan ang naghalin sa Mindanao, duha sa Visayas samtang pito naman ang gikan sa Luzon.

Ang mga nanari-sari nga mga programa nga napilian nga tagdaog ang natuhoy sa kalinong kag pagresolbar sang mga nanarisari nga mga conflicto tubtub sa pag-amlig sa palibot , ikaayong lawas kag serbisyo sosyal.

Kada programa sang local government unit halin sa barangay kag munisipyo, siyudad kag probinsya ang gin-ebalwar para sa mga inobasyon, positibo nga resulta, transferability kag padayon nga pag-implementar sini, partisipasyon sang mga pumuluyo kag kaabtik sini.

Ang 2009 Galing Pook Awardees amo ang Saranggani Province; Midsayap, Cotabato; Tabuk, Kalinga; Barangay Luz, Cebu City; Marikina City; Taguig City; Quezon City; Bayawan City; Surallah, South Cotabato; Makati City; Malaybalay City; Barangay Barobo, Valencia City; Bulacan Province; kag Parañaque City.

Pagapasidunggan man sang Presidente ang 16 ka mga dalayawon kag pinasahi nga mga OFWs sang Bagong Bayani Awards (BBA).

Tuyo sang BBA nga rekognisahon kag magpasidungog sa mga OFWs sa ila pagtinguha nga maka-establisar sang maayo nga imahe sa mga nakasari-sari nga mga pumuluyo sang kalibutan, kag pagpakita nga ang mga Pilipino makasarang, responsible kag but-anan nga empleyado; kag sa pagbulig man sa socio-economic development sang ila komunidad kag sang nasyon sa kabilugan.

May apat ka kategorya ang award, isa ka inobasyon nga ginpakita sa 2005 Bagong Bayani Awards agud makit-an ang nagalain-lain nga kontribusyon sang mga OFWs suno sa ila mga aktibidades.

Ang pinakamataas nga dungog amo ang Blas F. Ople Award para sa Natatanging Bagong Bayani, nga ginahatag sa pinasahi kag tumalagsahon nga OFW.

Ang tatlo pa gid ka kategorya amo ang Bagong Bayani Award for Outstanding Employee, Bagong Bayani Award for Community and Social Service kag Bagong Bayani Award for Culture and Arts. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)