Rights awareness, communication access reasons for vigilance of workers to file complaints, says NLRC

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Knowing their rights and the easy access to communication lines are just two of the reasons cited by the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) for the increase in the number of workers' complaints brought to the attention of this office here.

    "If we compare the number of complaints of workers five years ago with the present figures now, we can say that there are more complaints now lodged by workers against their employers", said Virgilio Bautista, Labor Arbitration Associate of the NLRC here who single-handedly mans the office in Aklan, an extension of the regional office in Iloilo City.

    Bautista also attributed the increase in workers' complaints to the global financial crisis, and in the case of Boracay Island, the off-season period. He emphasized, however, that it is now easier to bring workers' complaints to the doorstep of the NLRC office here just by telephone, citing that a telephone company does not charge long distance calls from Boracay to Kalibo and vice versa, and in all parts of the province covered by the company.

    "Before, complaining workers will be disheartened just to bring their problems to the attention of the NLRC, especially if they come from Boracay, because they had to spend for transportation and be absent from their jobs. Now, they could just call my office to inquire, and if there is just cause to their complaints, then they could come here already to file," Bautista said.

    Bautista clarified that the NLRC is not partial to workers, but also listens to the side of the employers, although he said many cases filed at his office favored workers, due to merits found in the cases.

    According to him, employers also call his office often, to inquire about certain labor regulations, paving the way for a better employer-employee relationship as well as to be compliant to certain labor laws.

Illegal dismissal of workers especially in Boracay Island is mostly the reason why many workers file complaints against their employers, according to the NLRC.

    With the current financial crisis experienced not only in the country but globally, Bautista called on employers not to be too harsh on their workers and effect outright dismissal when lapses are just minor ones.

    "When lapses are just minor ones, employers could just suspend workers, and not fire them outright, as dismissal is like a prison sentence to a worker, including his family, who would also suffer and go hungry. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

MAS MADAMO NGA BARANGAY ANG NAHAYAGAN SA IDALUM SANG ADMINISTRASYON NI PGMA

    Ang administrasyon ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang may pinakamataas nga numero sang mga barangay nga nahatagan kuryente sa pungsod kumpara sa nagligad nga tatlo ka administrasyon, suno kay Presidential Assitant for Electrification Fr. Francisco Silva.

    Sa ginhiwat nga symbolic lighting ceremony, si Fr. Silva nagsugid nga ang sa subong nga administrasyon ang naka energize sand 3.3 milyon nga barangay, kumpara sa 585,000 sa idalum ni Cory Aquino, 1.29 million sa idalum ni Presidente Fidel Ramos kag 852,000 sa idalum ni Joseph Estrada.

    Suno sa iya, si Presidente Arroyo nag-improbar sang mga electric cooperatives paagi sa government financial assistance programs.

    Ang administrasyon ni Arroyo ang nakahatag sang pinakadaku nga financial assistance nga P5.2 billion sa mga electric cooperatives sa bug-os nga nasyon.

    Sa iya pagdiskurso, si Presidente Arroyo nagpasalamat kag nagpanginbulahan sa National Electrification Administration (NEA), mga electric cooperatives, kag kay Fr. Silva sa pagbulig sang realisar sang damgo sang iya amay, Presidente Diosdado Macapagal, nga maghatag sang kuryente sa bilog nga nasyon, ilabi nag id ang mga malayo nga barangay.

    Samtang, si NEA Administrator Editha Bueno ang nagpaabot sa Presidente nga halos 42,000 nga mga barangay sa nasyon ang nahatagan na sang kuryente.

    Suno sa iya, 98% sang 41,154 nga mga barangay sa nasyon and nakakonektar na sa power grid. (PIA/vgv)

GOBYERNO, NAGAPREPARAR SA PAG-EXPORT SANG ‘YELLOW CORN’

    Gin-anunsyo sining karon lang ni Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap nga ang gobyerno, sa labing una nga kahigayunan, ang naga preparar sa pag 'export' sang yellow corn.

    Ang National Food Authority ang nakipag angot na sa ila mga 'counterparts' sa Vietnam nga nagpasalig na sang pagbakal sang mais halin sa Pilipinas.

    Suno kay NFA Administrator Jessup Navarro, preparado ang gobyerno nga mag-export sang 50,000 tubtub 150,000 nga metriko tonelada sang mais. Ini magahalin sa Isabela, Pangasinan, Mindoro, Bukidnon, kag iban pa nga probinsya.

    Ang produksyon sang mais para sa ikaduha nga semestre ang ginapanan-aw nga magtaas halin sa 656,723 MT tubtub 802,964 MT sa Rehiyon 2, samtang ang Northern Mindanao kag ang Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ang ginasaligan man nga magataas ang produksyon.

    Ang pagdugang sang produksyon sa yellow corn sa nasyon ginapanan-aw ni Sec. Yap bilang maayo nga oportunidad para sa Pilipinas nga mag-export sang mais.

    Ini nga bag-o nga butang sa corn sub-sector nagatuyo nga magbulig sa mga mangunguma ilabi na gid sa mga probinsya nga nagatanum sang mais pareho sang Isabela kag Pangasinan nga magdugang ang ginakita sa pihak sang pagnubo sang presyo sa local corn industry bangud sa pagsobra sa produksyon.

    Nakabakal na ang NFA sang 600,000 metriko tonelada bangud sang P10 nga buying price. Naghambal si Yap nga madamo pa gid nga mais ang mabakal sang NFA halin sa mga mga magunguma sa P10 kada kilo.

    Una sini, si Yap nagmando sa National Food Authority nga dugangan ang pagbakal sang mais sang 200% bilang kabahin sang stratehiya sang gobyerno para maabangan ang epekto sang pagnubo sang presyo sini kag masuportahan ang mga corn farmers. (PIA/vgv)

COMELEC SA KONGRESO: I-REVISE ANG LAYE SA ELEKSYON SA ‘SUBSTITUTION’

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Ang Commission on Elections (COMELEC) nagpangabay sining karon lang sa Kongreso nga bag-ohon ang laye sa eleksyon sa 'substitution' o pagbaylo sang kandidato sa anuman nga posisyon.

    Si COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo ang nagsiling nga nagasalig sila nga iga-konsiderar sang Kongreso ang ila gina-proponer may kaangtanan sa palaabuton nga automated May 2010 nga eleksyon.

    Suno kay Melo, gina-proponer nila nga wala sang substitution luwas lamang sa kaso sang kamatayon ukon diskwalifikasyon. Suno pa gid sa iya, sa presente nga sistema, ang boto para sa gin-buslan amo man ang boto para sa nagbulos.

    Ang laye sa Omnibus Election nagasiling nga ang ngalan sang nagbulos dapat nga isulat paagi sa kamot, apang nahadlok si Melo nga kon isulat ang ngalan sa balota, basi indi ini mabasa sang makina bangud automated ang 2010 nga eleksyon.

    Nagsiling si Melo nga igasumiter nila ang ila ginaproponer antes mag recess ang Kongreso sa Oktubre, kag gindugang pa nya nga naistoryahan naman nila ini nanday Senador Richard Gordon kag Makati Rep. Teddy Locsin.

    Sa idalum sang laye subong, ang "substitution" mahimo bisan sa adlaw mismo sang eleksyon, suno kay Melo. (PIA/vgv)

CASH TRANSFER PROGRAM COVERAGE, HIMUON ISA KA MILYON NGA PAMILYA KADA BULAN

    Nag-anunsyo sining karon lang si Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo nga ang Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ang magadugang sang numero sang mga benefisyaryo sini halin sa 700,000 sa isa ka milyon nga pamilya kada bulan.

    Gin anunsyo sang Presidente ini sa Lanao del Norte sang personal siya nga magpanagtag sang cash assistance sa mga pamilya nga benefisyaryo sa nasambit nga lugar. May 28,929 nga mga panimalay halin sa 317 nga mga barangay sa 15 ka mga kabanwahunan sang probinsya ang nagakuha sang regular nga suporta sa idalum sang programa.

    Kilala man bilang Conditional Cash Transfer Program, ang 4Ps naga serbe nga sabat sa mga kakulangan nga kinahanglanon sa sosyedad kag nagapatigayon sang pag-improbar sang kalidad sang kabuhi sang mga imol, agud mautod ang mga henerasyon nga siklo sang kapigaduhon.

    Ang gobyerno nagtarget lamang sang una sang 300,000 nga mga pigado nga pamilya sa pagsugod sang programa, nga nagdugang sa 700,000 kag karon magadaku pa gid kag mangin isa ka milyon.

    Suno kay Presidente Arroyo, madamo gid nga mga pigado nga pamilya, kag ginahimo niya ang nagakaangay agud mahatag ang benefisyo sang programa sa 20% sang 4.6 milyon nga mga pigado nga pamilya sang Pilipinas.

    Ang cash component sang programa P500.00 kada pamilya para sa ikaayong lawas kag nutrisyon, kag dugang nga P300.00 kada bata nga naga eskwela tubtub sa tatlo ka mga kabataan.

    Sining karon lang sa probinsya sang Aklan, si Presidente Arroyo, sa iya pagbisita sa banwa sang Libacao ang nagpanagtag man sang cash assistance sa mga benefisyaryo sang banwa para sa amo man nga programa.

    Ang 4Ps Conditional Cash Transfer Program naka schedule sa sulod sang lima lamang ka tuig, apang para masiguro ang madugay nga pag exister sang programa halin sa isa ka administrasyon pakadto sa isa, si Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago ang may ginpasa nga bill sa paghimo sini nga programa nga permanente. (PIA/vgv)

PRESIDENTE ARROYO, GINPIRMAHAN ANG FDA ACT OF 2009

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Ginpirmahan ni Presdiente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sining karon lang ang Republic Act 9711 ukon ang Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Act of 2009.

    Ang FDA Act of 2009 ang ginasiling nga magakomplementar sa RA 9502, ukon ang Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008.

    Ginbag-o sini ang pangalan sang Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) nga nangin FDA kag ginpabaskog sini ang iya regulatory powers, resources kag kapabilidad nga magperformar sang iya sini obligasyon.

    Sa idalum sang Republic Act No. 9711, ang FDA magakapot sang poder nga ang BFAD wala sa subong. Maka-order ini sang pagbawal, pagbawi kag pagpakuha sang mga health products nga nagatuga o may potensyal nga magtuga sang kamatayon, grabe nga pagbalatian kag kasamaran sa mga tawo.

    Si Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, nga nag atender sa nasambit nga pagpirma, ang nag notar nga ang bag –o nga laye naga otorisar man sa FDA nga ipabilin sini ang tanan nga kita dugang sa iya sini annual budget, nga magahatag sa ahensya sang makuhaan sang operational cost kag mapunduhan ang mga kagamitan sa laboratory kag madugangan sini ang iya manpower.

    Gindugang pa gid ni Duque nga sa idalum sang laye, ang FDA makapangumpiska bisang wala sang hearing ukon court order sang mga health products nga makit-an nga naga bayolar sang mga laye or mga sulundanon.

    Isa pa nga ginatanyag sang laye amo ang pag-establisar sang moderno kag kumpleto nga testing laboratory facilities sa Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, luwas sa naga exister nga central office laboratory, nga pagabutangan sang mga kinahanglanon nga mga kagamitan. Ini ang magapasalig sang paghatag sang serbisyo sang FDA sa iya sini nga mga kliyente sa pinakamadali nga panahon bisan diin nga bahin sang Pilipinas.

    Si Rep. Arthur Pingoy Jr., chair sang House Committee on Health ang nagsiling nga ang pagpirma ni Presidente Arroyo nga mangin laye ang FDA Act sang 2009 isa sa mga pinakadaku nga legasiya sang Presidente sa mga Filipino.

    Kon wala sang mas mapag-on kag makusog nga FDA, suno kay Pingoy, ang pag implementar sang Cheap Medicines Law ang indi mangin epektibo kag kumpleto. (PIA/vgv)

PILIPINAS, NAG GANAR SANG US$6.2 BILYON SA PAGBISITA NI PGMA SA U.S.

    Kalibo, Aklan – Nakaganar ang Pilipinas sang US$6.2 bilyones sa negosyo, capital kag ayuda halin sa pagbisita sining karon lang ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Estados Unidos.

    Ang balor nga ini, suno sa Malacanang, ang mas mataas sang sa kabilugan nga benefisyo nga gin ganar sa iya gintingub nga mga pagbiyahe sa guwa sang pungsod sang 2007 kag 2008.

    Sang 2007, ang mga biyahe sang Presdiente sa guwa sang pungsod nag ganar sang US$873 milyones sa capital, negosyo kag ayuda, kon diin ang Middle East may US$579.8 million kag ang European Union may US$185.4 million. Sang nagligad nga tuig, ang pagbisita ni Presidente Arroyo naka ganar sang US$399.9 million, kon diin ang pinakadako naghalin sa United Arab Emirates sa balor nga US$375.4 million.

    Si Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde ang nagsambit man sa US$1 billion nga gin capital sang Coca-Cola Co. para magpadaku sang iya sini operasyon sa Pilipinas. Halin sa kabilugan sini, may ara na US$300 million nga nabutang na sa nasyon.

    Pila pa nga benefisyo nga nabaton sang Pilipinas tuga sang pagbisita sang Presidente sa U.S. amo ang US$136 million sa security kag development aid, US$350 million nga Millennium Challenge Corp. grant; US$1.6 billion sa Generalized System of Preferences; US$198 million para sa Filipino veterans' equity fund; US$1 billion sa estimated garments exports, kag US$1.2 sa estimated investments.

    Humalin 1999, ang Pilipinas nakabaton sang US$429 million nga military assistance halin sa U.S. Halin sang 2001 tubtub 2008, ang pungsod nakabaton man sang US$312 million halin sa US Agency for International Development (USAID) para sa Mindanao.

    Si Sec. Remonde ang nagsiling nga bisan diin sa nasambit nga mga numero ang naglampas sa P2.5 billion ukon US$15 million nga nagasto sa lokal kag sa guwa nga biyahe sang Presidente humalin 2001. (PIA/vgv)

Aklanon nurses swarm DOLE’s ‘Project NARS’

    Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan's nurses, mostly those who recently passed the recent Nurses' Board Examinations, are now swarming the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) office here to apply as nurse trainees under the Project NARS program.

    Project NARS, or Nurse Assigned in Rural Areas, is a scheme of the DOLE to help solve the country's unemployment problem. Under the program, the nurses will be assigned in rural health units and provincial and district hospitals in their respective areas.

    According to DOLE-Aklan, application for slots in Aklan is "on-line" or through the website of DOLE, so interested nurses could apply directly and be informed if they are hired or not through their own e-mail addresses.

    Carmelita Regalado of DOLE-Aklan said applicants for the second batch of nurse trainees are bigger in number now, unlike the first batch.

    "Maybe more people are aware now about Project NARS", she said.

    The first batch of trainees under Project NARS would be ending their stint September of this year, while the second batch will start rendering duties in October.

    Regalado said the DOLE-Central Office will take charge of choosing applicants to form the second batch.

    Under the scheme, the nurses will receive a stipend of P8,000.00 a month from DOLE. The program is also open for local government units to contribute a monthly stipend counterpart for these nurses serving in their areas.

    According to DOLE-Aklan, a municipality is shouldering the transportation expenses of nurses assigned in its areas as counterpart.

    The second batch of nurses to be hired under Project NARS will start rendering their duties October of this year after being oriented about the program. DOLE is implementing Project NARS in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH).

    Fifteen towns in Aklan are benefitting from the program, with 5 nurses deployed in each town, or a total of 75. Kalibo, the capital town, and Numancia, the town nearest Kalibo, are exempted from the program.

    Second-wave applicants for Project NARS in Aklan, according to DOLE, are all Aklanons who are graduates from the province' nursing schools, Iloilo, Manila and other areas. DOLE also noted that the number of male and female nurses applying for the next batch is almost equal.

    Project NARS is one of DOLE's program as its complement to the government's Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP). (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

 

Majority areas in Aklan insurgency-free – Philippine Army

Kalibo, Aklan – The Philippine Army is exploring the possibility of turning over the reins of internal security to the local government of Aklan and the Philippine National Police (PNP), now that it sees that the insurgency situation in Aklan is weakening.

    What's more, the Philippine Army said that based on recent assessments of the 3^rd Infantry Division, most of the incidents reported now may be classified as petty criminalities that the local Peace and Order Councils could address at their levels.

    "This is not to say that the Philippine Army will abandon Aklan once the responsibility is handed over to the PPOC and the PNP", said 1Lt Mark Andrew t. Posadas, Public Information Officer of the 3^rd Infantry Division.

    "Your Army will continue to maintain our presence in Aklan and will always be readily available when called upon," Posadas assured.

    With the eventual handover of Aklan's peace and order concerns to the PPOC and the PNP, the Philippine Army could now focus on major areas of concern in Panay Island, specifically in Central Panay.

    "The 3^rd Infantry Division believes that the success in Aklan may be replicated in other areas of Region 6 and we enjoin the cooperation of all stakeholders to continue working with your Army so that we may see the end of this communist insuregency", Posadas said.

    The plan of the Philippine Army to declare Aklan as insurgency-free and to turn over the responsibility of maintaining peace and order to its local government was earlier announced at a press conference by Maj. Gen. Vicente Porto, commanding general of the 3ID based in Dingle, Iloilo.

    Gen. Porto cited there have been great changes in the insurgency situation in Aklan compared with the other provinces in Panay. He attributed the successful campaign to the support coming from the local government of Aklan and the PNP.

    Aklan and the Northern portion of Antique were once covered by the by the Northern Front Committee but Col. Gerardo T.Layug, Brigade Commander of the 301^st Brigage, 3ID, Dingle, disclosed that based on the information that that they gathered from rebels availing of the social Integration Program (SIP), the group was already neutralized two years ago.

    The Philippine Army plans to turn over the peace and order maintenance to the provincial government of Aklan, led by Governor Carlito s. Marquez as the the PPOC Chair and the PNP before 2009 ends. (PA/PIA/vgv)

Libacao’s 4Ps beneficiaries get cash grants minus ATM due to tornado

    Libacao, Aklan -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was supposed to witness beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of Libacao town get their first cash grants through Automated Teller Machine (ATM) specially installed by the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) here for the purpose.

    A strong tornado that struck in Libacao last night however, spoiled the first-of-a-kind experience for them. All the same, they got their cash grants from the President during her first-ever visit to this hinterland town in Aklan August 7.

    The 4Ps is a poverty reduction strategy that provides grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of children aged 0-14.

    The President's visit to this town was timed with the release of these cash grants to the beneficiaries.

The President led in the distribution of cash grants to the 2,602 household beneficiaries coming from 24 barangays with cash grants amounting to P3,842,000.00 covering subsidies for the months of May and June. Releasing has started on July 22 of this year to a total of 806 household beneficiaries coming from 12 barangays amounting to P1,195,100.00. The remaining 1,796 beneficiaries in 12 barangays received their cash subsidies amounting to P2,645,900.00 today.

    Under the program, a household beneficiary can receive as much as P1,400.00 for a maximum of 3 children that includes P500.00/month for Nutrition and health expenses and P300.00/month per child with a maximum of 3 children per household for educational expenses.

    Rowena Ladate, one of the beneficiaries of 4Ps of Barangay Alfonso VII said the program is a big blessing to her family. Tearful but happy, she said this will augment her family's needs, having 4 small children. As a beneficiary, she will get P500 per month and P300.00 each for her 3 children of school age.

    Juvy Agustin of Sebalew, Libacao, another beneficiary, has a three-week old baby left at home as she waited for her turn to get her cash grant under the hot sun. Married at 18, she has 5 kids already at 29, the eldest being 11 years old.

She was tearful as she expressed her thanks to this program of President Arroyo, as this will help her family a lot. Her husband, she said, has no permanent job.

    Most of the beneficiaries were mothers, who said that their children are regular schoolgoers, one condition that will enable them to continuously receive the cash grants within five years.

    Besides cash distribution for 4Ps, the President also inaugurated the 1,280 lineal meter River Revetment Wall Resting on cut-off wall project at Poblacion, LIbacao. The project costs P40 million from LOGOFIND. Project started on June 1, 2007 but Typhoon Frank damaged the initial constructed structure. It was continued without additional costs and and was completed on June l5, 2009.

Seven POs from various Aklan municipalities also received checks from the President for DENR'S Upland Development Program amounting to a total of P2,596,626.20.

    DENR Sec. Lito Atienza, who came with the President, gave a briefing on solid Waste Management, while Climate Change Presdiential Adviser Se. Heherson Alvarez gave a briefing on Climate Change.

    Libacao Mayor Charito Navarrosa, welcomed PGMA and party and thanked her for gracing Libacao with the first-ever Presidential visit. He also thanked the President for including Libacao as one of the beneficiaries of her flagship program, the 4Ps. (PIA/vVenus G. Villanueva)

Libacaonons to receive 4Ps cash grants

    Kalibo, Aklan –A total of 1,796 beneficiaries from Libacao, Aklan's 12 barangays will receive cash subsidies amounting to P2,645,900.00 under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

    This second round of cash grants distribution will be held August 7 in Libacao, Aklan.

    The first round of release was held July 22 to a total of 806 household beneficiaries there coming from 12 barangays amounting to P1,195,100.00.

    The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a poverty reduction strategy of the government that provides grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of children aged 0-14.

    Libacao town in the eastern side of Aklan bordering provincial boundaries of Capiz, Iloilo and Antique, has a total of 2,602 household beneficiaries coming from 24 barangays with cash grants amounting to P3,841,000.00 covering the subsidies for months of May and June.

    Libacao barangays to receive cash grants August 7 are the following: Alfonso XII with 140 household beneficiaries – P207,500.00; Dalagsaan, 291 beneficiaries – P417,300.00; Guadalupe, 117 beneficiaries – P171,300; Luctoga, 157 beneficiaries – P225,100.00; Magugba, 67 beneficiaries – P98,500.00; Manika, 321 beneficiaries – P466,800.00; Ortega, 157 beneficiaries – P237,100.00; Oyang, 129 beneficiaries – P193,200; Pampango, 161 beneficiaries, P248,300.00; Rivera, 59 beneficiaries- P86,900.00; Rosal, 135 beneficiaries – P206,100; and Sibalew, 62 beneficiaries with P87,800.00.

    Aside from Libacao, Madalag, a neighboring town, has also been identified as a 4Ps area. It will be getting a total of P2,363,400.00 for its 1,548 household beneficiaries from 25 barangays.

    The DSWD emphasized that the 4Ps is not a dole out. However, it has conditionalities that the beneficiaries should comply in order to continue benefiting from the program.

    The conditions require parents to ensure that their children attend school at least 85% of the time; and receive vaccination and health care. For their part, pregnant women must receive pre- and post natal care and be attended during child birth by a skilled health professional; while parents must attend responsible parenthood seminars, mothers' classes and parent effectiveness seminars.

    A household beneficiary can receivie as much as P1,400 for a maximum of 3 children that includes P500 per month for nutrition and health expenses and P300.00 per month per child with a maximum of 3 children per household for educational expenses, according to the DSWD. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

COMELEC’s Calendar of Activities for 2010 elections out

Kalibo, Aklan -- Local voters have until October 31 only to file applications for registration, transfer of registration records, etc.,November 20, 2009 to November 30, 2009 is the period for the filing of certificates of candidacy for all elective positions, and the filing of manifestation of intent to participate in the party-list system of representation.

These activities with corresponding dates are just some of the items contained in the Calendar of Activities and Periods of Prohibited Acts in connection with the May 10, 2010 national elections, recently released by the Provincial Office of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here.

The Calendar of Activities was released through Resolution No. 8946 promulgated July 14, 2009.

Most of the dates specified last day of activities, such as Aug. 17, 2009, which is the last day for filing petitions for registration of political parties; Aug. 31 – last day for overseas absentee voters to file application for registration/certifications as overseas absentee voter and application to vote in absentia; or January 8, 2009 – last day to appoint members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), subject to changes on account of shortage of teachers and disqualifications due to relationships to candidates.

Election period starts on June 10, 2010, Sunday, to June 9, Wednesday, as specified by the resolution.

Within this period, acts of bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, buildings, streets, parks, private vehicles, even if licensed to possess the same, are prohibited, unless authorized in writing by the Commission.

Suspension of elective local officials as well as transfer of officers and employees in the civil service is also prohibited during the election period.

Also prohibited are the organization of maintenance of reaction forces or other similar forces, and the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, whether or not such bodyguards are regular members of the AFP or other law enforcement agency.

Campaign period for candidates for President, Vice President, and Senators will start Feb. 9, 2010 to May 8, 2010. This is also the designated period for party-list groups participating in the party-list system of representation to campaign.

Campaign period for candidates for Memmer, House of Representatives and elective provincial, city and municipal officials, on the other hand, will start from March 26, 2010 to May 8, 2010.

During the period March 26 to May 10, 2010, prohibited acts include appointment or hiring of new employees, creation or filling up of new positions, promotion or giving of salary increases, remuneration or privilege.

Other prohibited acts during this period include the construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works, and issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds.

On May 9, 2010, campaigning is prohibited, including selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor and giving, accepting free transportation, food, drinks and things of value. The same activities are prohibited on May 10, election day.

Soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against any candidate of any political party within the polling place or within thirty meters thereof is prohibited; so is voting more than once or in substitution of another; holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing or any other similar sports.

On May 10 too, the Municipal/City/District and Provincial Boards of Canvassers will convene. June 9, 2010 is the last day to file sworn statements of election contributions and espenditures.

The resolution was promulgated by Jose A. Ar. Melo, COMELEC Chairman; and Rene V. Sarmiento, Nicodemo T. Ferrer, Lucenito M. Tagle, and Armando C. Velasco, Commissioners. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

 

POEA reiterates its no-deployment policy in 4 countries

    New Washington, Aklan -- The Philippine Oversease Employment Administration (POEA) reiterated here the government's no-deployment policy in four countries – Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Jordan.

    This is in the wake of wars and unstable peace and order condition in these countries which could put in danger the lives of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), according to Atty. John Rio Bautista, Chief, Workers Education Division of POEA.

    Just recently, 10 OFWs were reported killed in a chopper crash in Afghanistan.

    According to Atty. Bautista, if these workers were documented by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) their relatives could avail of government assistance. If they were undocumented, the agency which could assist is the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Bautista said the POEA takes care of workers' concerns and welfare while in the country.

    The POEA was here in Aklan July 21 to conduct a 2-day seminar on Anti-Illegal Recruitment (AIR), held at the Sampaguita Gardens in New Washington. Participants included local chief executives, the Philippine National Police, Public Employment Service Office (PESO) managers of Aklan's 17 towns, representatives from the academe, non-government organizations and the local media.

    The seminar was also graced by POEA Administrator Atty. Jennifer Jardin-Manalili, who spearheaded the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing between the Provincial Government here headed by Governor Carlito Marquez, and some mayors of Aklan's 17 towns.

    At the Sampaguita Gardens Convention Center, 3 mayors – Mayor Gene Fuentes of Tangalan, Mayor Rex Gubatina of Madalag and Mayor Antonio Maming of Banga signed an MOU with the POEA for an Illegal Recruitment-Free LGU respectively.

    The MOU signing is part of the "IR-Free LGU Program" of the POEA.

    This program, according to the POEA, aims to strengthen and expand the local network of agencies and stakeholders to aid in stopping illegal recruitment at the local level. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

This outstanding entrepreneur has strong faith in govt and its assistance to MSMEs

    Being a visual artist seems miles away from being an entrepreneur indulging in Piña Weaving business, but Anna India De la Cruz-Legaspi of Kalibo, Aklan proved this is possible – and that one can excel both in these extreme fields.

    Too, when she came home for good in Kalibo after years of living in Manila, she had no plans of landing in the Piña loom-weaving business, she was aiming to open a pastry shop, having also learned the skills of baking cakes.

    Her being a visual artist, however, was instrumental in catapulting her in her current thriving business, because she used piña cloth as canvass for her artwork, and the "right" people took notice of this.

    She recalls that on one occasion, her artworks (paintings done on Piña cloth canvass) were borrowed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here to be displayed during Aklan's holding of a trade fair. During the trade fair, a representative from Rustan's came and was impressed with her work. She was told to develop other personal products – placemats, doilies and table runners made of piña cloth. She made samples – and Rustan's ordered P150,000 worth of piña cloth products.

    "As I cannot deliver to Rustan's without permits and business name, I came to DTI and at that moment, I became an entrepreneur," Mrs. Legaspi (Nang India to her circle of friends, workers and colleagues) related to participants of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) roadshow held recently in Aklan where she shared her story.

    With the business she found herself in, Nang India started with one loom and a 64 year-old weaver. Later however, she came up with 250 weavers.

    "The DTI was always there, encouraging us, providing trainings," she recalls.

    When there was a revival of Piña weaving in Aklan, Nang India became the Point Person of First Lady Ming Ramos' Filipino Katutubo Foundation.

    When her business grew into a bigger company, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) also came in with its many assistance. This was the time when Nang India and her husband Javier felt they have to borrow funds because they needed to buy more looms, and additional capital to buy materials.

    "I used to borrow from my parents, and when I got married, from my in-laws. I also used my earnings from sales of my artworks. Later, we felt we had to go on a "higher level" of borrowing, especially when we started exporting after five years. We needed to upgrade our looms as our business progressed. My husband scrutinized banks which could best assist our needs, and it was the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).

    All the while, the DTI and the DOST were there to help their business. The Provincial Government of Aklan also helped in marketing and promoting her products through trade fairs and exhibits.

    The life of an entrepreneur, however, is not a bed roses, according to Nang India. She experienced this herself when Typhoon Frank struck Aklan on June 21, 2008, and her factory went under 7 feet of water and later 2 feet of mud, submerging all their stocks, equipment, looms, materials – everything.

    "But as an entrepreneur, we could only persevere, and I told myself, this typhoon will not stop my business," she said.

    Days after Typhoon Frank, she and her workers were cleaning the factory when visitors came. She thought the visitors were there to assess or survey the typhoon's damage to her business, instead, they were from Rustan's who came to order from her P350,000 worth of Piña cloth products.

    "So it happened that our first beginning was with Rustan's, and our second beginning was Rustan's again, after exactly 20 years," she related.

With her looms totally destroyed, everything needed to be done was done with the help of the DTI and the DOST which assisted her with 10 upgraded and wider looms – so she was able to deliver the orders of Rustan's on time.

"I believe that even in calamities and good times in business, our needs are provided – because we cannot do everything," Nang India said of the assisitance she received from said government agencies. "If you think that God is the defender of life and business, meron talagang force to lift you up and make it easy. There is no need for self-pity," she continued.

Rustan's was not the only surprise visitor that came to her place while she and her workers were continuously cleaning. One day, they were amazed to see five cars arriving in her factory. The visitors were from the Land Bank of the Philippines, led by President Gilda Pico, another was the Executive Vice President of Visayas Group, and the three were branch managers of Kalibo, Roxas and Antique LBP branches –who came to assess the typhoon damage to her factory.

Nang India said she was so touched with the gesture of the LBP. "It's like – they were not only concerned of earning, they also have much concern for borrowers. I felt there was a common force to help one another," she said.

In concluding her colorful tale as an entrepreneur, Nang India said people should not be closed to assistance and trainings from the government.

"Hindi masama ang gobyerno. We hear and see so many things in television about corruption – but the bottom line is – what it is (the government) doing for the rural people to uplift our livelihood and our income. It should not be muddied by other people because of politics. We are really striving hard to make our economy grow, to provide a peaceful and conducive environment for the progress of our nation," Nang India said.

Nang India and her husband manage the Heritage Arts and Crafts in Kalibo and in Boracay. In 2004, she was awarded by the Land Bank of the Philippines as Outstanding Regional Entrepreneur Winner. She was also featured in books Profiles of Courage and Couples in Business. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

 

DTI-ASEC: No hunger, no recession in Aklan with OTOPs

Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklanons have what it takes to do business or be entrepreneurs.

In Aklan, there is no recession and there is no hunger despite typhoons.

This strong belief in the ability of Aklanons was expressed sincerely by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ASEC Ma. Theresa "Angel" Pelayo Ty, guest speaker during the province' first-ever One Town, One Product (OTOP) Congress here held recently at the Gov. Corazon Cabagnot Tourism and Training Center.

ASEC Pelayo-Ty was all praises of the Aklanons' craftmanships, ingenuity and patience in coming up with world-class products like the loom-woven Piña cloth, nitocrafts and other items uniquely produded in the province.

"I visited one piña cloth and nito factory here and I was surprised to see a very old woman still adept at weaving piña cloth. I saw how intricate and difficult it is to weave the piña. Nakakahiyang tumawad, kaya bumili ako na hindi tumawad," Pelayo Ty said.

Loom-woven products, like the world-class Piña cloth, abaca and raffia is Kalibo's identified OTOP, and is also the Regional Model OTOP for Region 6.

Pelayo-Ty said that the OTOP, pushed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2005 and patterned after Japan's One Village, One Product (OVOP) program, is a very effective tool in job generation.

"The reason why we are here is we are united to give OTOP a chance," Pelayo-Ty told the participants, composed of mayors and other representatives of various local government units in Aklan, business community/entrepreneurs, officers and members of the Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (PMSMEDC) and the local media.

Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez also graced the activity.

Pelayo-Ty cited the commitment of local leaders who are running their respective municipalities like corporations, and the local businessmen who opened themselves to risks.

"The risks are as big as rewards, when it is very sweet," Pelayo-Ty said, apparently speaking of her own experiences as an entrepreneur before joining the government through DTI.

"When OTOP was launched by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2005, many criticized it as just a copy, and very backward. Today, however, 99% of businesses registered are either micro or small enterprises, and it is time to recognize them and thank them for their effort," Pelayo-Ty said.

According to her, 312,000 new jobs were created through OTOP which gave the country an additional revenue of P12 billion and another revenue from trade fairs worth P3.7 billion, excluding export sales.

In Aklan, at least 140 new OTOP MSMEs were established while domestic and export sales from 2005 to present reached P319.7 million and $469,600 respectively.

With the activity's theme "Negosyo… Kaya Mo!, Pelayo-Ty said "kayang-kaya ng mga Aklanon magnegosyo".

She said that with what she has seen in the province, there is big hope in Aklan – there will be no recession or hunger, with typhoons even.

Aklan, gushed Pelayo-Ty, is very lucky because it has Boracay Island, the world-class Piña cloth, abaca, nito products, and lately, organically-produced fruits and vegetables.

Incidentally, the town of Numancia, which produces organically-produced fruits and vegetables here through Vermicast, the municipality's OTOP, garnered all the top awards in the OTOP Congress as Best OTOP LGU Implementer, Outstanding OTOP MSME, and Most Supportive OTOP Partner through its cooperative.

Pelayo-Ty said the OTOP program is very close to PGMA's heart, and she urged Aklan leaders to look into the state of entrepreneurs.

The DTI ASEC, daughter of Candaba, Pampanga Mayor Jerry Pelayo who traces her roots in Aklan, expressed her willingness to be an Ambassador of Aklan – being proud of the province' loom-woven products, good food and beautiful sceneries.

"With your support, OTOP will be very successful", she said.

Aklan towns' OTOPs range from swine/livestock, organic fruits and vegetables, grouper culture, eco-tourism, coco-based products, Indigenous fiber-based loom-woven products, potteries, abaca fibers, seafoods, bariw crafts, abaca slippers, deboned bangus and vermicast organic fertilizer. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan’s top OTOPs awarded

Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan's best performing One Town One Product (OTOP) and partners were honored here today during the province' first-even OTOP Congress held at the Gov. Corazon Cabagnot Tourism and Training Center.

The OTOP Congress/Awarding, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here, was graced by DTI-RODG Assistant Secretary Ma. Theresa "Angel" L. Pelayo-Ty , Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo, Numancia Mayor Elverita Templonuevo and Tangalan Mayor Gene Fuentes.

The OTOP Awards 2009 had three categories – Most Supportive OTOP LGU, Outstanding OTOP MSME Partner, and Most Supportive OTOP Partner Organizations.

Honored as Aklan's first-ever OTOP awardees as the Best OTOP LGU Implementer were Ibajay, 2nd runner up; Tangalan, 1^st runner-up; and Numancia, the top award. As awardees, these LGUs received Certificates of Recognition and gift certificates.

Ibajay's OTOP is coco-based products; Tangalan has Eco-Tourism while Numancia has Vermicast.

For Outstanding OTOP MSMEs Partners, awarded the plum prize for Agri-Aqua was the EI Earthworm Farm of former Numancia Mayor Ernesto I. Templonuevo, while for the Crafts sector, adjudged as the best was the La Herminia Pina Weaving. These awardees also received Certificates of Recognition and Gift certificates.

On the other hand, the Pot Makers Association of Lezo was adjudged first runner up under the Most Supportive OTOP Partner category while Numancia Vermicast got the top prize. These groups also received Certificates of Recognition and gift certificates.

Keynote Speaker ASEC Angel Ty, who traces her roots in Aklan, said that OTOP, patterned after Japan's program on village enterprise, is a very effective tool on job generation in the country.

"It is about time for OTOPs to be recognized and to be thanked for their effort," ASEC Pelayo-Ty said of the Aklanon honorees.

"Negosyo…Kaya Mo!. Is the theme of the 1^st OTOP Congress in Aklan. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Aklan has 801 Pangulong Gloria scholars thru TESDA

Kalibo, Aklan -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) here has listed a total of 801 Aklanons who availed of the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship (PGS) program from April to June of this year.

Records provided by TESDA –Aklan show that some 100 Aklanons enrolled at "Tek Bok" schools here in April; 150 in May; and 551 in June.

"Tek Bok" schools are schools offering various courses/classifications which are accredited by TESDA.

Courses/qualifications include Household Service Worker NC II, Commercial Cooking NC II, Food and Beverage NV II; and Housekeeping NC II. Tek Bok schools in Aklan, on the other hand, include the NVC Kalibo Campus, New OFW Vocational and Technical School, Aklan Sampaguita Gardens Academy, Verde Grande Culinary School, Joselito Alba Vocational and Technical School, Central Panay College of Science and Technology, Boracay Island Global Academy, San Lorenzo College and NVC Boracay Campus.

As PGS scholars, these students enjoy free tuition for the duration of their studies/skills trainings and a minimum daily training support fund of P60.00.

After their schooling, these students will undergo assessment by TESDA, and if they pass, they will be given NC II certificates which they could use to apply for work in the country or abroad.

Some of the students who availed of the scholarship program were already graduates of other courses.

Raul Doromal, a scholar, is already a graduate of BS Radiology and has worked abroad, but he considers that being a PGS beneficiary is a big opportunity for him to get a better job and a better pay when he decides again to work outside the country, because of the National Certificate (NC II) that he will be given if he passes assessment.

Erlinda Belayro, registrar of "Tek Bok" school Central Panay College of Science and Technology, many interested students have made reservations in their school to avail of the next batch of PGS scholars, which they consider a God-send and their ticket to a better life. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

More infra in Boracay means more revenues, says DOF Sec

Kalibo, Aklan -- Boracay can even contribute more to the Philippine economy if its existing infrastructures and facilities are further improved, according to DOF Secretary Gary Teves, who was in the island recently to attend an activity.

"Boracay is in the mind of tourists from all over the world. If infrastructure, like the airport in Caticlan, gets improved through runway extension, more commercial flights will be accommodated and there will be a need for more hotel facilities," Sec. Teves told Ralph Maypa of RMN-DYKR in an interview.

More investors will then be coming, according to Teves.

"We have better beaches here, we can increase our revenues from tourism," Teves stressed.

Teves also said the health situation in the island should always be considered.

Based on records from BIR-Aklan, tax collections in Boracay for 2008 registered a 40.71 increase, despite the onslaught of Typhoon Frank that hit the province of Aklan.

Boracay came second to Balete, a town in mainland Aklan, which registered the biggest increase in tax collection for 2008 in the province, with 63.25 % (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

“OPLAN KANDADO” a message to taxpayers that BIR means business

Kalibo, Aklan -- "OPLAN KANDADO" is a message to erring taxpayers that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) means business, according to Ricardo J. Osorio, BIR-Aklan's new Revenue District Officer.

OPLAN KANDADO, which deals with the closure of business establishments that failed to comply with their tax obligation, was recently conducted in Boracay Island by the BIR, with three establishments padlocked.

Osorio said taxpayers should be aware of their obligations, so as not to face closure of their establishments as well as to pay penalties.

According to Osorio, two of these establishments had since complied with their obligations and are operating, while one is still closed.

The BIR, according to Osorio, has current programs to penalized erring taxpayers like the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE). He clarified, however, that the BIR has no RATE case in Aklan as of this time.

"We at BIR-Aklan are trying our best to have effective tax collection. We campaign to make taxpayers feel that BIR is just around. We hold seminars every Wednesday to new business registrants about their obligation as taxpayers," Osorio said.

Osorio also said that they are seeking the help of local government officials in their campaign for effective tax collection, because 40% of the tax collected goes back to the LGUs as their IRA.

Osorio also called on business establishments to issue receipts always.

"I am also thankful to Aklanons that for the month of June, BIR-Aklan was able to overshoot its target, collecting P41 million for the month, from its target collection of P35 million," Osorio said. This is despite the fact that classes opened in June and most business establishment owners are also parents – and despite the current global financial crisis everyone is experiencing, according to him.

Assigned only in Aklan March of this year, Osorio is expressing optimism that with the help of his team in Aklan and the Aklanons, BIR-Aklan would be able to attain its target collection for this year of P562 million. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)