PIA Aklan Balita (February 1 - 15, 2022)

Volume 20

KALIB O, Aklan (PIA) -- The Boracay Island’s tourism workers are now 100 percent fully vaccinated, according to Malay mayor Frolibar Bautista.

Bautista revealed this information during the Laging Handa Network Briefing, February 9, anchored by Bing Kimpo of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) -Tourists and visitors going to Boracay Island are no longer required to submit negative RT-PCR test results if they are already fully vaccinated.

This is per Executive Order No. 001-A, series of 2022, issued on February 1 by Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, which amends E.O. No. 001

Issue 03

February 1 - 15, 2022

He added that the municipality of Malay has already surpassed Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista (left) answers query from RMN-DYKR reporter Aguirre (right) during the Feb.9 Laging Handa Network Briefing News. the 70% vaccination Rodnel Bautista said that the island's branding is "Boracay is better than ever" to emtarget of the town for its phasize the huge change of Boracay Island after the rehabilitation and clean-up constitu ents, thus, drives. (SQP/PIA-Aklan) achieving herd immunity against COVID-19.

Mayor Bautista said Malay has surpassed the 70% target to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity in the KALIBO, Aklan -- The Is- government of Malay has inmunicipality, while the land of Boracay in Malay, Ak- tensified its campaign to protourism workers in Bo- lan, is now ready to accept mote the island and regain its Continued on page… 03 foreign tourists in the coming days, acting Mayor Frolibar Bautista said in today’s Laging Handa Network Briefing News.

“Handang-handa na ang Boracay para sa international tourists. Matagal nating hinintay ang mga turista aside that provides guidelines on from domestic tourists, iyon the implementation of restric- ngang mga foreign tourists. tions on the movement of per- (Boracay is very much ready sons in and out of the prov- for international tourists. We ince of Aklan as well as proto- have long waited for foreign cols to be observed under the tourists aside from the domesAlert Level System for tic tourists),” Bautista said.

COVID-19 Response.

He added that the local Based on the amended government of Malay already E.O., to enter Boracay, a tour- prepared the requirements in ist, whether foreign or domes- accepting local and foreign tic, need to show his vaccina- tourists to ensure that health tion certificate which could be protocols are in place and should be strictly observed by Continued on page… 02 everyone.

Bautista revealed that BoVisitors/tourists going to Boracay racay’s biggest market is the Island starting this month of February international tourists, specifi2022 no longer need to present negacally the Chinese and Koretive RT-PCR test upon entry per EO No. 001-A of Governor Florencio ans.

With the assurance of Miraflores. (PIA-Aklan) clean water and beaches and a safe environment, the local

robust tourism economy.

The local chief executive accredited the comeback of the original beauty of the island with the 2018 Boracay closure for rehabilitation and the different sectors’ clean-up drives in the island. ”Napakaganda na ngayon ng Boracay at napakalinis ng mga beaches. We make sure na makita ng mga turista na may malaking pagbabago sa Isla. Kaya nga ang branding ng isla is ‘Boracay is better than ever’,” Bautista said in response to RMN-DYKR reporter Rodnel Aguirre’s question on the LGU’s strategy in attracting more tourists.

Meanwhile, aside from Boracay Island, Bautista also offered other tourist destinations that everyone will enjoy to visit such as Nabaoy River, Pangihan Cave, Malay Eco Park Nagata Falls, Agnaga Mini Falls, and Naasug Point.

The aforesaid tourist spots are all located in Mainland Malay. (AAL/SQP/PIA6 Aklan)

PIA AKLAN BALITA

PAGE 02

Vol. No. 20 Issue No. 03

KALIBO, Aklan – The province of Aklan is on the direction for giving children ages 5 to 11 years old with protection against COVID-19.

The Provincial Health Office-Aklan has opened its online platform for registration of the pediatric population ages 5 to 11 years old for COVID-19 vaccination.

File photo of PHO-Aklan on the pediatric vaccination roll-out ages 12 to 17 Parents and guardians are years old at the Aklan Catholic College, Kalibo, AKlan (SQP/Photo courtesy of encouraged to register their PHO-Aklan)

Negative RT-PCR… From page 01

KALIBO, AKLAN - The employment rate of Aklan plunged to 88.8 percent in 2020 from 94.1 percent in 2019 according to Philippine Statistics Authority.

This translates to about 213, 450 employed persons, lower by 26, 070 compared to 2019 data of 239, 520.

Aklan’s employment rate is the lowest among six provinces in Western Visayas.

In 2018, employed persons in the province reached 242, 340 or about 94.6%.

The labor force participation rate among persons 15 years old and over in 2020 was estimated at 57.8%, which is equivalent to 240, 480 individuals, lower compared to 2019’s 61.7 percent or 254, 410 persons.

On the other hand, unemployment rate in the province in 2020 rose to 11.2 percent from 5.9 percent in 2019.

This is equal to about 27, 030unemployed persons from 14,900jobless individuals in 2019.

In 2018, the province’unemployment rate was pegged at 5.4 percent corresponding to about 13, 730 persons.

Meanwhile, the province’ underemployment clocked in

at 10.4 percent, up by 0.1 percent compared to 10.3 percent in 2019.

This is equivalent to about 22, 250 persons from 24, 780 in 2019, or a decrease of 2, 530 persons.

In 2018, underemployment rate of Aklan hits 12.9 percent or 31, 260 persons.

Underemployment refers to employed persons who expressed the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job, or to have additional job, or to have a new job with longer working hours during the reference week.

Unemployment, on the contrary, refers to all persons 15 years and over without work, looking for work, or currently available for work but not looking for it due to reasons such as tired, believed no work available, awaiting results of previous job application, temporary illness/disabilit y, bad weather, waiting for rehire/ job recall, and community quarantine.

These employment data were derived from the results of the Labor Force Survey conducted quarterly by PSA. (PSA-Aklan)

obtained from vaxcert.doh.gov.ph; or locally issued Vaccination Card/ID with full vaccination status and with verifiable QR Code; or World Health Organization International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis/ Vaccination Card or Vaccination Certificate issued abroad.

For returning Aklanons, travelers and travelers passing through mainland Aklan, they must have travel details and vaccination certificates.

Those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, however, still need to submit an RT-PCR test negative result Certificate (saliva, nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal) with date of extraction within 72 hours to date of travel.

Meanwhile, Miraflores issued a new advisory adjusting curfew, public transport and business operating hours in mainland Aklan.

Per advisory which he issued on February 3, curfew hours in mainland Aklan will be from 11:00 o’clock in the evening until 4:00 o’clock the following morning; while business hours will be from 5:00 o’clock in the morning until 11:00 o’clock in the evening.

On the other hand, public transport shall operate from 4:00 o’clock in the morning until 11:00 o’clock in the evening.

In Boracay Island, per advisory issued by Mayor Frolibar Bautista, curfew hours

children that belong to the said age bracket a t t i n y u r l . c o m / AklanResbakunaKids .

PHO-Aklan appealed to the parents and guardians to do the registration only once so as to avoid duplication.

After a successful registration, a text message will be sent by PHO-Aklan for the schedule or timeslot of inoculation. It is advised to wait for the text message before going to the vaccination area as walk-ins are not allowed for the 5-11 years old category.

According to PHO-Aklan, as of January 2022, only Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has been given emergency use authorization for kids aged five to 11.

The Department of Health – Western Visayas reported that as of January 2022, 80.36% or 343,674 of the eligible population in the province of Aklan are fully vaccinated.

The eligible population set by the province is 427,664 to achieve herd immunity.

Meanwhile, 9.26% of the target population had already received the first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine and just waiting for their schedule for the second jab. (AAL/SQP/ PIA Aklan) will be from 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., while barangays in mainland Malay will follow the schedule per Executive Order issued by Miraflores.

These changes contained in the advisory had been requested by the business community in Aklan from the provincial government in order to increase their earnings which had long been affected by the pandemic. (JBG/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)

PIA AKLAN BALITA

PAGE 03

Vol. No. 20 Issue No. 03

Tourism workers…

From page 01

racay Island are now 100% fully vaccinated.

As to the town’s vaccination of children with ages 5 to 11 years old, Bautista said that on Friday, February 11, the Department of Health (DOH) will be coming to Boracay Island to vaccinate this pediatrics group.

“Information dissemination in barangays is ongoing on pediatric vaccination conducted by barangay officials on its importance. The children and the parents are already informed about this,” Bautista said.

Meanwhile, in the said Network Briefing, Bautista noted that due to the requirement of negative RT-PCR test result in January for tourists going to Boracay Island, arrivals have dropped, but from February 1, with the removal of the requirement, arrivals have again picked up, registering 8,440 from February 1 to 6,2022.

For now, he said arriving visitors only need to show vaccin ation cards, vaccination certificates, and QR Code.

Tourists or visitors must also present their confirmed bookings at DOT-certified/ allowed establishments to operate before they a r e c a n cross to the island.

(JBG/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued on January 31, 2022 Memorandum Circular 22-03 series of 2022 which extends the filing period for the renewal of accreditation for Service Repair Enterprises (SREs) until March 31, 2022. This applies for those holders of Certificates of Accreditation which expired on December 31, 2021.

DTI recognizes the need to grant a grace period on the renewal of Certificates of Accreditation of SREs to provide them ample time on their application and to ensure the public’s continuous access to competent service and repair services despite the effect of the COVID-19 on daily business transactions.

During the process of filing for renewal, SREs shall be allowed to operate under the same terms and conditions unless their Certificate of Accreditation is revoked or cancelled by virtue of a decision rendered against said SREs for any reason other than the expiration of the term of its validity. (DESSA Anh T. Flores/DTI-Aklan)