Dr. Anthony Palomar, Acting Medical Quarantine Officer (with michrophone) based at the Kalibo International Airport, Kalibo, Aklan said that in the absence of a Thermal Scanner in the airport, thermal strips are instead used in monitoring the body temperature of passengers especially from direct international flights landing in Kalibo. Thermal strips are placed on the forehead of passengers who looked having colds or fever. If the strip changes color indicating that the passenger has a fever, he will be escorted down from the plane and be brought to KIA's medical holding lounge for a thorough medical check up. KIA, though not well equipped with medical facilities to check on cases like this, is very well prepared in case anything goes wrong. Also inthe picture are CAAP-KIA Manager, Engr. Percy Malonesio and Dr. Ronald Lorenzo of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian-Aklan. (JERRamos/PIA)

BPO grows amid crisis, says PGMA

The Philippines’ Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing Industry continues to grow despite the crisis, according to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

As of February 2009, the IT industry has generated 400,000 jobs, while during the whole year of 2008, a total of 372,000 were employed.

In 2004, 101,000 jobs were generated by the industry; in 2005, 163,000; in 2006, 236,000; and in 2007, 300,000.

“We have created the BPO’s industry from almost nothing in 2001. In 2001, there were 4,000 BPO workers when our administration started, today there are 400,000 BPO workers,” the President said.

President Arroyo supported wider access to communications and information services by encouraging provision of broadband services in cities and growth areas. Companies that are accredited as Ecozone Information Technology (IT) enterprises by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) are entitled to a holiday from income and local taxes for four to eight years.

The province of Aklan, through Aklanon workers hired by call centers in Manila, also continue to benefit from the IT BPO industry. In 2008, the Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) here recorded a total of 30 employees hired by Cyber City Teleservices (Phils.) Incorporated.

Just recently, when the province of Aklan conducted a mega job fair here, majority of business establishments that sought applicants from Aklan were call centers, all based in Metro Manila. According to PESO-Aklan, many Aklanons got hired during the job fair. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Ombudsman to grace Caravan of Government Services in Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan -- Hon. Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez, Ombudsman of the Republic of the Philippines, has confirmed her attendance in the Caravan of Government Services in the province of Aklan on May 29.

Evangeline G. Nuñal, Associate Graft Investigation Officer III of the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas in Region 6 said Hon. Gutierrez will be delivering a keynote speech in the opening program of the caravan at the ABL Sports Complex here after the ceremonial turnover of the Ombudsman Caravan of Government Social Services by Hon. Pablo L. Perez, Municipal Mayor of Pototan, Iloilo, the recipient of the 2nd Caravan of Government Services, to Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez.

The caravan will be held for two days in Aklan starting May 28. On May 28, a press conference with the Aklan media will be held at 9:30 at the Conference Room of the Provincial Guest House here with Hon. Pelagio S. Apostol, Deputy Ombudsman, together with Atty. Virginia Palanca-Santiago, Assistant Ombudsman for the Visayas, and Atty. Carla Juris Narvios Tanco, Acting Director, PACPO.

The Ombudsman and his party will also pay a courtesy call to Governor Carlito Marquez, Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo and the SP members. He will also meet Aklan’s 17 municipal mayors. In the afternoon, a Public Accountability Seminar for barangay officials and division chiefs will be held with Hon. Apostol tackling up topics on Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA3019) and Code of Conduct & Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employees (RA 6713).

Jose Cabarles, State Auditor of Commission on Audit Region VI will also brief the participants on OPLAN RED PLATE.

On May 29, a medical-dental mission will be conducted for Aklanons needing medical assistance.

The Philippine Army will be offering free haircuts and Shiatzu massage during the medical-dental mission, according to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Nuñal advised that those who would avail of medical and dental services should register early. According to her, the Department of Health (DOH) has already committed P78,000 worth of medicines while the PCSO committed medicines amounting to P50,000.

As of the final briefing, Nuñal revealed that more than 20 government agencies from Iloilo have committed to join the Caravan

Aklan is the third recipient of the Caravan, which is spearheaded by the Office of the Ombudsman in cooperation with the Provincial Government, the Municipality of Kalibo, and partner government agencies in Region VI. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Ms. Maria Luvilla H. Gaurana, Associate Graft Investigation Officer I, Ombudsman (Visayas) Regional Office VI, explains the Flowchart on the Medical and Dental Mission for the 3rd Caravan of Government Services during the final briefing held at the Provincial Guest House Conference Hall. The Caravan which will be held at the Augusto B. Legaspi Sports Complex, Kalibo, Aklan on May 28-29,, 2009 is being headed by the Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas) RO VI, Iloilo City in cooperation with the Provincial Govenment of Aklan, through Governor Carlito S. Marquez, the Municipality of Kalibo, through Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo and the Partner Agencies in Region VI. Also in the picture are Engr. Roger M. Esto, Provincial Planning and Dev't. Coordinator, Dr. Paul Macahilas of the Provincial Health Office, and Ms. Grace Macahilas of the Provincial Budget Office. (JERRamos/PIA)

Ms. Evangeline G. Nuñal, Associate Graft Investigation Officer III, Office of the Ombudsman (Visayas) Iloilo Regional Office VI, Iloilo City (extreme Center) discussing possible scenarios during the final briefing at the Provincial Guest House Conference Hall, for the up and coming 3rd Ombudsman Caravan of Government Social Services which will be held at the Augusto B. Legaspi Sports Complex, Kalibo, Aklan on May 28-29, 2009. This project is headed by the Ombudsman and with the cooperation of the Provincial Government of Aklan through Governor Carlito S. Marquez, the Municipality of Kalibo, through Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo and the Partner Agencies in Region VI. (JERRamos/PIA)

Aklan, Ombudsman-Visayas all set for caravan of services; medical dental mission

Kalibo, Aklan -- The province of Aklan is all set for the holding of a Caravan of Social Services with Medical and Dental Mission on May 28-29 initiated by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas Regional Office 6.

During the final briefing to all Action Officers May 22 at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office here, Evangeline Nuñal, Associate Graft Investigation Officer III of the Office of Ombudsman Visayas said that as of briefing time, twenty-one national government agencies from Iloilo City has signified their intention to join the caravan of social services in Aklan and 9 more are awaited to give their commitment.

Action officers for the caravan of services are composed of heads and representatives of government offices in the province.

Nuñal also said that the Department of Health (DOH) has committed to provide some P78,000 worth of medicines while the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes (PCSO) will also be providing P50,000 worth of medicines for the Medical and Dental Mission.

PAGCOR’s commitment for its share of medicines for the medical/dental mission, for the meantime, is being awaited.

Fifteen doctors, according to Nuñal, have given their commitment to join the medical/dental mission here, while the Provincial Health Office of Aklan and the Philippine Army also committed to augment this number.

First day of the Caravan of Social Services will consist of courtesy calls to Aklan’s provincial officials by Hon. Pelagio S. Apostol, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas and OMB staff at the Governor’s Office, followed by a press conference with the local media. The OMB will also meet with Aklan’s 17 municipal mayors.

The Rationale of the Project will be presented by Atty. Carla Juris Narvios-Tanco, Acting Director-PACPO followed by an open forum and dialogue with Deputy Ombudsman-Visayas Apostol.

In the afternoon of May 28, a Public Accountability Seminar will be held which will be attended by more than 300 barangay officials and division chiefs of the province. Hon. Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez, Ombudsman, will give the overview of the Ombudsman through a video presentation.

Topics which will be discussed by Hon. Apostol include Anti-Graft & corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) and Code of Conduct & Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employees. On the other hand, Mr. Jose C. Cabarles, State Auditor, COA 6, will conduct a briefing on OPLAN RED PLATE. An open forum will follow, and the activity will be capped with the signing of the Pledge of Commitment and Panunumpa ng Kawani ng Gobyerno.

The second day will be devoted to the medical-dental mission, but will have a ceremonial turn-over of the Ombudsman Caravan of Government Social Services by Hon. Pablo Perez, Municipal Mayor of Pototan, Iloilo, to Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez with Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez, who is said to be 80% sure of coming, and Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio S. Apostol.

Hon. Gutierrez will be giving a keynote speech after which the caravan will be formally opened by Hon. Apostol.

The medical mission expects to serve more or less 1,000 Aklanons. Besides the medical mission and other services offered on the spot by government agencies such as the Ombudsman, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Food Authority and many others, the Philippine Army will also be giving free haircuts and Shiatzu massage.

The holding of the caravan of government services here by the Office of the Ombudsman is in line with its thrust and fight against graft and corruption, and is an alliance between partner agencies to make public services readily available to the people. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

DDB, PHILJIA to hold seminar on Dangerous Drugs Law in Boracay

Kalibo, Aklan -- An inter-agency conference/seminar-workshop on Dangerous Drugs Law will be held in Aklan by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) in collaboration with the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) on May 26-27.

The activity, which will be specifically held at Casa Pilar Hotel, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, will be graced as guest speakers by Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez and Undersecrecretary Clarence V. Oaminal, Vice Chairman and Permanent Board Member of the DDB.

At the helm to serve as lecturer is P/SSupt. Clarence Guinto, Provincial Police Director of Aklan, who will tackle important provisions of Republic Act 9165 – the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The seminar-workshop in Aklan is intended for judges, prosecutors and law enforcers particularly those specifically designated to handle drug cases.

The seminar-workshop aims to update participants on the important provisions of RA 9165 and drug-related laws, enhance their knowledge in handling drug evidence and to also provide them the venue to discuss emerging issues on the different areas of the new drug law and problems that they encounter in drug cases, as well as finding solutions to these issues and problems.

USEC Oaminal will also lecture on several aspects of RA 9165. He is an author of several books, one of which is entitled “Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” that was cited in a recent case, People of the Philippines vs. Salvador Sanchez y Espiritu on the necessity of complying with prescribed procedures on the seizure and custody of dangerous drugs.

After the seminar-workshop in Aklan, the same activity will be held in the province of Iloilo on May 29 with Usec. Oaminal as keynote speaker and P/CSupt. Isagani Cuevas, Police Regional Director of Region 6 as host.

The seminar-workshop in Boracay, according to the DDB, is seen to be attended by some 100 government officials. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan’s public, private sectors converge to be competitive

New Washington, Aklan -- More than a hundred Aklanon participants from the public and private sector gathered together as partners towards competitiveness in a roadshow conducted by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) at the Sampaguita Gardens here recently in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan and the Departmentment of Trade and Industry.

The NCC roadshow was attended by representatives from national, provincial and municipal agencies in Aklan, non-government organizations, the business sector and local entrepreneurs.

The NCC roadshow consisted of lectures and presentations from the council staff, the provincial government of Aklan and various government financial institutions and banks where Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and other groups could access loans in order to make their products or firms competitive.

Ruy Y. Moreno, Director for Operations (Private Sector), NCC, emphasized that the country’s source of resilience at this time of crisis is its investments and that there are many doables in 2009 to make the Philippines and its people competitive.

Some of these, according to Moreno, include having competitive human resources through improved education especially on English, Science and Math through the support program for teacher and students, enhancing basic education track to 12 years and matching skills and market demands and encourage dual training approach; through efficient public and private sector management; effective access to financing; improved transaction flows and costs;seamless infrastructure network and energy cost competitiveness and self sufficiency.

Also present in the roadshow to talk the queries and concerns of Aklanons on effective access to financing as well as their respective loan programs were Dulce Q. Ranosa, SAVP, DBP-SME Department, who talked on MSME Lending and Hedging; Arthur Genavia, Project Development Officer, Land Bank of the Philippines, who talked on Development Advocacy Program; Emmanuel Torres, Vice President, PhilExim-Business Development Group II, Wholesale Lending for Direct and Indirect Exporters; and Julie Jean S. Tidon, Account Officer, SB Corporation, who talked on Retail Lending and Microfinancing Program.

DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado Cadena Jr. said the province of Aklan is lucky to be chosen as one of the venues of the NCC Roadshow.

Cadena told the NCC group, the GFIs as well as the Aklanon participants that the province has great promise, potentials and accomplishments in its best practices, and it has some products – one of them the Pina cloth which gave Aklan international prominence.

The NCC was created by virtue of E.O. 571 and is engaged in the implementation of the Action Agenda on competitiveness which was endorsed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the National Competitiveness Summit in October 2006.

“Magaling ang Pinoy…Magaling ang Pilipinas!” is the NCC roadshow’s battlecry to emphasize to Aklanons that competitiveness begins with each individual. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Free U.S. immigration seminar slated

Kalibo, Aklan -- A seminar on U.S. Immigration Laws will be held here on May 120 for Aklanons planning to be U.S. immigrants or those with pending applications.

According to Provincial Employment and Service Office (PESO) Manager Vivian R. Solano, the seminar will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot (GCLC) Tourism and Training Center at Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.

The free seminar will be conducted by the Provincial Government of Aklan under Governor Carlito Marquez with the Carpio-Dela Cruz Law Offices in Kalibo through Atty. Beato Alessandro C. De La Cruz III.

An immigration lawyer from Bunagan-Marapao and Associates of Los Angeles, California, U.S. A. will be coming to conduct a lecture and explain on the rules and new laws on U.S. Immigration.

An open forum will follow after the lecture so those with questions could seek clarifications on their concerns.

Those interested to attend the seminar, according to Solano, should register at the PESO Office first because the seminar will only accommodate 200 participants on a “first come, first served basis. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PNRC to provide 350 more shelter assistance to “Frank” victims

Kalibo, Aklan – The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) here is providing some 350 additional shelter assistance to Aklanons who lost their houses to Typhoon Frank almost a year ago.

PNRC-Aklan Provincial Assistance said the additional shelter assistance will bring to a total of 603 shelters provided for Aklanon families who can not afford to build their houses after the typhoon totally destroyed their dwellings.

PNRC earlier released housing materials for 253 families in the municipalities of Kalibo and Numancia.

With the additional assistance, typhoon victims from the adjacent town of New Washington will get to avail of the shelter assistance from the PNRC.

“The PNRC’s shelter assistance comes in the form of materials, some of which are imported. Almost everything is provided – even the nails, saw, hammers and pails. The beneficiaries’ counterpart is labor, and there is a specific timetable for the beneficiaries to complete construction of their houses,” Pelayo said.

Pelayo called on those who received their shelter assistance/housing materials already to complete construction of their houses, because it was stipulated on the contract they had with the PNRC that once they cannot start or complete construction of their houses during the given time, their materials will be pulled out and will be given to other families needing the same.

Pelayo revealed that most of the houses are already completed and would be formally turned over to the recipients soon with no less than Senator Richard Gordon gracing the ceremonies.

For the meantime, Pelayo said the houses, once finished, could already be occupied by the beneficiaries/ families.

The houses, according to Pelayo, have uniform designs and materials and could easily be identified.

“The PNRC will also post stickers on the houses for easy recognition during monitoring periods”, Pelayo said. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

PNRC – Aklan holds awarding rites for Aklanon “Frank” volunteers

Kalibo, Aklan -- More than 60 Aklanons were honored here by the Philippine National Red Cross – Aklan (PNRC) May 14 for extending help and support to the PNRC when Typhoon Frank struck the province of Aklan almost a year ago.

The awarding ceremony was held at the 2nd Flr. of the Capt. Gil Mijares Memorial Building here. The event was one of the highlights of the PNRC’s observation of the 2009 World Red Cross Day.

Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez led the list of awardees. Former Congressman Allen S. Quimpo, former Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino, Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, Provincial Engineer Victory Fernandez, Philippine Army Col. Nicolas Pasion, SP Member Selwin Ibarreta and IBC-DYRG Station Manager Augusto C. Tolentino were also awardees.

Most awardees, however, according to PNRC-Aklan Administrator Arcely Pelayo, were young persons who almost stayed all the time at the PNRC Office, helping transport sacks of rice, food items and other essential goods and materials to typhoon victims.

“What is so commendable about these young volunteers is that some of them were typhoon victims too, but they opted to assist the PNRC in reaching out to the typhoon victims, even if they and their families needed help too”, said Mrs. Pelayo.

Pelayo admitted that PNRC’s recognition of the volunteers’ assistance to the PNRC is a bit late, but what is important is that their efforts and services get acknowledged, “and will never be forgotten by the PNRC.”

The officials cited, led by Gov. Marquez, on the other hand, provided the logistics for the PNRC.

The PNRC also awarded the Aklan Provincial Government, Philippine Airlines Foundation, Aklan Police Provincial Office, NVC RSQ Building, Metro Kalibo Water District, PANTELCO and 12th Infantry (Lick ‘Em) Bn. (CAFGU) ID, PA. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan’s 2 Best Public Sector Projects awarded, cited by PGMA

Two of Aklan’s entries for Best Public Sector projects were recently awarded and given citations by President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo when she graced the Best Public Sector Awards in Bacolod City May 14.

Aklan’s winning projects – the Aklan State University – Isla Kapispisan Mangrove Reforestation and Eco-tourism Project in Brgy. Pinamuk-an, New Washington Aklan and Nabas town’s Health Nutrition Development Program, along with 10 other commendable and beneficial projects of other provinces in Region 6 took center stage as President Arroyo, guest speaker of the event handed the awards to the winners.

The Best Public Sector Awards had 4 categories: Provincial and City Government Units, regional line agencies, state universities and colleges, and municipal government units, regardless of the kind of scope of the projects.

ASU’s Isla Kapispisan Mangrove Reforestation and Eco-tourism Project emerged number one among the entries under the state universities and colleges category, besting Capiz State University’s Coconut Breeding Program and the University of the Philippines in the Visayas’ Program Towards Community Managed Peace and Order Initiatives.

The town of Nabas, which won under the Provincial and City Government Units Category with its Health Nutrition Development Project, placed fourth, with the Province of Negros Occidental’s Computerized Real Property Tax Accounts (RPTA) System Project topping the list followed by San Carlos City’s Eco-Center Project, 2nd, and Talisay City’s Eco Center Project. Placing 5th was the Integrated Health Care Program of Sebaste, Antique and Ecological Solid Waste Program of Santa Barbara, Iloilo, 6th.

Winners under the Regional Line Agencies include BJMP Multi-Purpose Cooperative, 1st, DOH 6 Program of Empowering Persons With HIV-AIDS, ISO Certification of the LTO Region 6 Licensing Center.

The ASU-Isla Kapispisan Mangrove Reforestation and Eco-tourism Project, according to ASU-New Washington, Aklan campus, main implementor of the program, was started more than 10 years ago by the school not only with the students as prime movers but other government agencies which saw the potential of the area as a livelihood source for marginal fisherfolks and a future eco-tourism destination.

Today, the project not only helps the livelihood of the people in the area. It has also become a tourist destination and at the same time the focus of research works and extension programs by the local government and foreign workers.

According to Priscilla Tabay, ASU-New Washington professor, the local government unit of New Washington as well as the provincial government of Aklan have extended financial assistance to the project, which in turn was utilized forbuying more mangrove propagules to cover more areas.

With the award the project has just obtained, the school expects more assistance and attention to be extended on the program. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Tourism act establishes Boracay Island as “tourism enterprise zone”

Kalibo, Aklan -- The signing of Tourism Act by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo established the island of Boracay in Malay, Aklan as one of the country’s “tourism enterprise zones”.

The Tourism Act of 2009 was signed by PGMA during the recent “One Visayas Summit on Climate Change” at the Imperial Palace Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City.

Other tourism enterprise zones in strategic areas established through the Tourism Act or RA 9593 include Cebu, Davao, Bohol, Laguna, Cavite, Palawan and Iloilo – aimed to lure foreign investors and tourists to visit places rich in history and culture.

The signing of the National Tourism Act is seen to propel the country’s tourism industry to be more globally competitive.

The new law declares it a national policy for tourism to be one of the country’s engines of investment and employment and of growth and national development.

The President noted during the one-on-one regional interview that the signing of the tourism statute in Cebu is appropriate at this time as the province is the number one international destination in Asia while the Visayas region is the country’s tourism center.

Meanwhile, tourist arrivals in the island of Boracay registered a total of 250,843 for the first 4 months of 2009.

Based on the records from the Provincial Tourism Office here, the tourist arrivals for the period translated into a total of P4,611,347,206.20.

Visitors were biggest in number during the month of April at 92,813, broken down into 15,108 foreign arrivals, 75,161 domestic and 2,544 overseas Filipinos. For January 2009, 48,458 visited the island; February, 47,527 and March, 60,159.

Last year, a total of 239,875 visitors visited the island during the same period. Visitors also registered highest in April last year with 83,731.

Total tourist arrivals last year reached 577,868, generating some P10,623,178,591.20 tourism receipts. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

National Competitiveness Council to hold roadshow in Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan -- A roadshow billed as “Public Private Partnership Towards Compettiveness” will be held here in Aklan on May 19 by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) and Philexport in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Governor and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The roadshow will be held whole day of May 19 at the Sampaguita Gardens in New Washington, Aklan.

The NCC, according to DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena, Jr. was created by virtue of E.O. 571 and is engaged in the implementation of the Action Agenda on Competitiveness which was endorsed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the National Competitiveness Summit in October 2006. The Action Agenda identified programs towards improving competitiveness in six areas, namely Human Resources, Management, Financing, Transaction Cost and Flows, Infrastructure and Energy.

“The NCC aims to follow-through continuous improvement efforts so that our country can reach the top third ranking in the World Competitiveness report by 2010,” said PD Cadena in his letter inviting Aklan’s non-government organizations, local government units, government financial institutionss and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to attend the roadshow.

Cadena also said the activity aims to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the private and public sectors stakeholders.

“It is also hoped for that the roadshow will provide an opportunity for the NCC to generate cooperation tie-up with the local chambers, NGOs and LGUs on how to push forward the NCC priority action agenda for competitiveness as well as provide pertinent information to the MSMEs and exporters regarding access to financing with ease.

Some of the highlights of the roadshow program on May 19 include a talk on Public – Private Sector Partnership Towards Competitiveness by Ruy Y. Moreno, director of NCC Private Sector for Operations; Aklan Province’s Pursuit for Competitiveness (Presentation of Best Practices/Milestones) by Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez; Effectiveness Access to Financing: Loan Programs of GFIs/Banks and Testimonials of Clients by Small Business Corporation; talk on Export Promotion Fund by Elsa Valenzuela, Policy Officer, NCC and EDC and Cliniquing (Detailed One-On-One with GFIs/Banks.

The roadshow is part of the NCC’s advocacycampaign in the countryside. (PIA/Venus g. Villanueva)

Ombudsman-Visayas office to hold caravan of social services, medical and dental mission in Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan – The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas Regional Office 6 will be holding a Caravan of Social Services with Medical and Dental Mission in the province of Aklan on May 28-and 29.

According to Virginia Palanca-Santiago, the holding of the activity is in line with the Office of the Ombudsman’s thrust and fight against graft and corruption.

Palanca-Santiago said the Caravan of Government Services is in alliance between partner agencies to make public services readily available to the people by putting efforts together in one big event.

The caravan of services will be held the whole day of May 29 at the ABL Sports Complex, according to Palanca-Santiago.

Areas will be designated to various government agencies at the ABL Sports Complex to exhibit or showcase the services of respective government agencies.

This forthcoming activity is just one of the projects the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas.

In March of this year, the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas Regional Office 6 launched the Task Force OPLAN RED PLATE in the Western Visayas.

The Task Force, created with partner agencies like the Commission on Audit (COA), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), is tasked to monitor government vehicles to ensure that they (vehicles) are being used prudently, judiciously and efficiently, so as not to produce wastage in government resources.

In Aklan, the Task Force had its initial monitoring on April 4 along Kalibo’s busiest streets and in Caticlan, Malay, the jump-off point to Boracay Island. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklanons swarm mega job fair, get instant jobs

Kalibo, Aklan -- Thousands of Aklanons swarmed the Mega Job Fair held at the ABL Sports Complex here May 10, with some getting hired on the spot, assured of good jobs in Manila and outside the country.

Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores, who along with Governor Marquez and the DOLE conceptualized the Mega Job Fair, said in an interview over the radio that the event was so successful that they are contemplating to hold the same event in the same quarter next year.

According to him, some 57 job seekers were able to get hired yesterday for jobs in Manila and abroad, especially as they have complete papers already, while other applicants were told to wait for texts and phone calls from the employers or organizations they have applied with.

According to Vivian Ruiz-Solano, Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager, the Mega Job Fair had 10,000 job vacancies.

Solano said twenty-one local employers from Manila and 28 recruitment agencies for overseas jobs came to offer jobs to Aklanons.

The job fair was initiated by Aklan’s provincial officials to help Aklanons find much-needed jobs especially during this period of global financial crisis.

Just recently, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo created the Task force on emergency Employment under Executive Order 794 to create emergency employment during the current global recession.

The 7-member task force is chaired by the President herself.

The President said the generation of employment and livelihood opportunities for targeted income groups is part of the country’s best preparation in thwarting the problems brought about by the global economic crisis. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Task Force on emergency employment created

Kalibo, Aklan – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recently created a Presidential Task Force on Emergency Employment under Executive Order No. 794 to create emergency employment during this current global recession.

The 7-member task force is chaired by the President herself with the following members: Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz of the POEA, Administrator Carmelita Dimzon of the OWWA and the presidents of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, the Philippine Cahmber of Commerce and Industry, one organization of recruitment agencies and a representative of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.

The President said the generation of employment and livelihood opportunities for targeted income groups is part of the country’s best preparation in thwarting the problems brought about by the global economic crisis.

In Aklan, the province is preparing for the conduct of a mega job fair here on May 10.

The job fair is being initiated by the Office of Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores, Governor Carlito Marquez and the Magkaisa Foundation with the aim of providing jobs to unemployed Aklanons by literally bringing to their doorsteps employers from Manila who could offer local and overseas jobs.

The mega job fair will be held the whole day of May 10 at the ABL Sports Complex here. The job fair will also be held in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

For its part, DOLE has already started to provide emergency employment to Aklanons through Project TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay Sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers) and Project NARS (Nurses Assigned in Rural Areas).

The DTI, on the other hand, has also opened job opportunities here through its own version of the Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) through strengthening of its price monitoring function by hiring for six months Aklanons assigned to monitor prices of goods in various areas in Aklan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan honors Palarong Pambansa winners

Kalibo, Aklan -- Six Aklanon athletes were honored here by the Provincial Government for winning gold and silver medals in the Palarong Pambansa held from April 27 to May 3, 2009 in Tacloban Leyte.

Of the athletes, two are elementary pupils while four are high school students.

The athletes were feted through a motorcade around Kalibo, then came for a courtesy call to the Governor’s Office. A press conference was also held at the Conference Hall of the Guest House, followed by an awarding program.

A cash incentive of P10,000 each was awarded to athletes who won gold medals while P5,000 each was awarded to those who won silver medals, according to Mary Ann Lopez, Division PESS Supervisor, DepEd-Aklan.

Gold medal winners include Macky Delfin of Ibajay Academy for boxing and Jeselle Panado of Christ the King School for Badminton Elementary.

Two athletes from the Northwestern Visayan Colleges (NVC) – Ramon Leonardo Lomibao and Melquisedec Navejas, were also part of the Volleyball Team of Western Visayas which emerged as overall team champion.

The silver medalists who were also honored include Noriel Pelio of Solido National High School, a boxing athlete; and Mira Mirano, of Banga Elementary School, for chess.

Coaches and trainers of the athletes were also honored and given cash incentives. They include Jacinto Gonzalo, coach, boxing; Jun Montessa, trainer, boxing; and John Panaligan, trainer, badminton Elementary.

No less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo officially opened the Palarong Pambansa in Leyte. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

COMELEC urges ’07 SK voters to register for 2010 elections

Kalibo, Aklan -- Young voters who registered for and voted during the 2007 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections should register again with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to become regular voters.

Lorena Tumbagahan, COMELEC-Kalibo Election Officer, said the previous registration of those who voted during SK elections in 2007 will not be applicable for the 2010 elections, so there is a need for them to avail of the continuing registration now being offered by the COMELEC up to October 31 of this year.

“Students should take advantage of the summer vacation and apply for registration in their respective municipalities so they would be able to vote in the 2010 elections,” Tubagahan said.

Tumbagahan also said those who would be turning 18 on the day of the May 2010 elections are also qualified to register.

COMELEC is urging those who have not yet registered to do so now in order to avoid crowding and long lines during the last day of registration.

After the continuing registration, the COMELEC will be doing other activities in preparation for the 2010 elections, like conducting symposia and trainings for the first-ever automated elections in the country.

COMELEC offices throughout the province are also in the process of “cleansing” their respective voters’ list of those who already died, failed to vote twice and who transferred to other places.

“Cleansing” of the voters’ list of dead persons, however, could only be possible if local civil registrars submit regular lists to COMELEC offices, according to Tumbagahan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan slates mega job fair

Kalibo, Aklan --Job opportunities and job vacancies will be literally brought to the Aklanons’ doorsteps with the holding here May 10 of a Mega Job Fair at the ABL Sports Complex.

The Mega Job Fair, according to Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Vivian Ruiz-Solano, is the result of Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores and Governor Carlito S. Marquez’ tandem to help Aklanons find or avail of jobs locally or abroad.

The job fair is also in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), PESO Office and JobFinder.

Many employers, recruiters and interviewers will be coming here May 10 bringring with them various job orders and vacancies, according to Solano.

Presently, the PESO office has listed 9 establishments/offices which will be accepting applicants for various positions that includes Teledevelopmental Call Center that needs 500 call center agents and 100 technical support representatives; Theorem Global Business Outsourcing Corp. which needs accounting graduates, I.T. graduates, administrative clerks, and office clerks; RSI Philippines, Inc – general accountants, accounting specialists, junior application specialists, account executives, account supervisor, call center agents, systems administrators, IT Manager; Drugcheck Philippines – 10 medical technologists and account executives.

Corporate Workforce Provider Inc. also needs auto mechanic, drivers, delivery salesman, account executives, editors, accounting clerks, baristas, waitress, accounting supervisors and auditors, while Strategy Plus Inc. needs assistant store manager, management trainees, web developers, programmers, auditors and accounting staff. Weekend Review Inc. needs web developers, programmers, auditors, accounting staffs, account executives and editors, while Corporate Medical Check up Specialists, Inc. needs nurses, medical technologists, X-ray technicians and nursing aides.

Telan Law Office needs account executives, collectors, tele-collectors, legal secretary and skip tracers.

More employers and agencies from Metro Manila with job openings are expected to come for the Mega Job Fair.

DOLE, PESO-Aklan and the offices of Rep. Miraflores and Governor Marquez are jointly advising applicants to bring with them plenty of copies of their resumes, pictures, transcript of records and other employment credentials so they could apply with various establishments in the job fair. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)