PIA Aklan Balita (March 16 - 31, 2022)

Volume 20

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) – A total of 59 farmers’ associations in Aklan received various farm machineries worth P7.5 million from the provincial government of Aklan through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

The distribution was held recently during the launching of the Aklan Agri-Aqua Demonstration Farm & Training Center (AAADFTC) at Barangay Nalook, Kalibo, Aklan.

The distribution was led

by Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, together with other Aklan officials and department heads of the provincial government.

Distributed were seven floating tillers, seven hand tractors, eight rice threshers, 17 rice reapers, two corn mills, two corn shellers, one shredder, three pump and engine, one rice mill, one drip set irrigation, and 34 knapsack sprayers.

Recipient farm associations came from Banga, Iba-

Issue 06

jay, Kalibo, Madalag, Makato, Altavas, Malay, Malinao, Batan, Balete, Libacao, New Washington, Numancia, Nabas and Tangalan towns.

At the opening program of the launching, Miraflores said that every year, the provincial government ensures to provide budget for the purchase of farm machineries which are distributed to Aklan farmers through their associations.

In his message, he expressed optimism that with the machineries and other assistance provided to Aklan farmers, farm production will further improve, with Aklanon farmers contributing in supplying the food needs in Boracay Island, particularly high-value vegetables like bell peppers, lettuce, and many more.

He also mentioned the benefits to be gained with the operation of the Aklan Grains Processing Center, one component of the AAADFTC, which caused farmers to get good

Boracay Island, Aklan's and the country's prime tourist destination, is potentially a good source of buyers of the province's very own products handcrafted by skilled and artistic Aklanons organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Aklan like the Hugod Aklanons Producers Association, Inc., and Wearables and Homestyle Industry Council.

March 16 - 31, 2022

Governor Florencio T. Miraflores (4th from left) poses with otherr Aklan officials and recipient farmer-association representatives during the turnover of the farm machinery (floating tiller) for farmers of Cabayugan, Malinao, Aklan . The turnover was held during the launching of Aklan Agri-Aqua Demonstration Farm and Training Center in Barangay Nalook, Kalibo, Aklan.

prices for their palay produce as the center helped stabilize palay prices by offering good prices for their palay produce, causing private traders to also offer competent prices to the farmers.

Other structures at the demo farm and training which were opened officially during the launching were the Aklan Greenhouse and Post Harvest

Facility, Aklan Provincial Freshwater Tilapia Hatchery, Aklan Provincial Finfish Nursery, and Provincial Swine Breeding Artificial Insemination Center.

“We are the only province in Western Visayas with these kinds of facilities” Miraflores said. (JBG/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) -The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here, in coordination with the provincial government of Aklan, will hold this year the Aklan Piña and Fiber festival.

The Aklan Piña and Fiber Festival, a showcase of Aklan’s best and unique products now on its 22nd year,

will be held from April 22 to 26, 2022, coinciding with the province’s celebration of its 66th year as a separate province from Capiz.

For this year’s festival, DTI-Aklan Director Ma. Carmen Iturralde, who shared this news during the 1st Quarter meeting of the Aklan Continued on page… 04

PIA AKLAN BALITA

As with other provinces in the country, Aklan was not spared when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world in late 2019. Making COVID's presence strongly felt in 2020 until now, it brought sickness to many, and deaths too. It affected Aklan’s booming economy propped up by the agri-tourism thrust of the province, and other local industries that made Aklan well -known not only in the country but throughout the world.

One group that has since propelled Aklan’s local industries to thrive is the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are involved in producing various products like woven piña and abaca cloth, gifts and housewares, processed meat and bakery products, native delicacies, “pasalubong” items, and many more - and this group had its share of sufferings when COVID-19 struck.

Some MSMEs closed, some reduced their manpower, while others reduced their production during the pandemic. In all of these, the most affected were the workers.

There were, however, MSMEs that bravely faced the challenges head-on, continuing to operate, hire people, produce their signature products, and find buyers for these products.

One of these is the Handicraft of Aklan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (HAMPCO), which continued to operate during the trying times caused by COVID-19, standing by its workers, and finding markets for its beautiful products.

PAGE 02

Vol. No. 20 Issue No. 06

According to HAMPCO’s Emelly Lanzon, when COVID19 struck, the cooperative stopped weaving piña cloth because buyers also stopped ordering.However, the cooperative continued weaving the abaca silk, and during the pandemic, more of the fabric was produced as there were ready buyers from Japan and the United States.

As other MSMEs temporarily stopped operating, their weavers lost their jobs too, and some of them applied at HAMPCO. Due to the additional weavers, HAMPCO was able to produce in 2021 some 2,000 to 3,000 meters of abaca silk per month, readily bought by a buyer in Manila, which were eventually exported to Japan and the United States of America.

“In 2021, despite the pandemic, our sales were high.

We were only targeting to earn P12 million but our actual sales reached P16 million for abaca silk,” said Lanzon.

In late 2021, however, their buyer from Manila notified them that she will go slow in buying woven abaca silk because she still had plenty of stocks. So from a high of 3,000 meters, Lanzon said the cooperative set to deliver only 1,000 meters per month.

Even then, she said the cooperative took care of their original member-weavers, so they will have a steady source of income.

Asked how much a weaver earns in a month, she said it depends on the speed of the weaver.

“We pay the weaver P200.00 for every meter of cloth she weaves, and there are those who deliver to us 64 meters per month. At P200 per meter, this weaver of 64 meters earns P12,800.00,” Lanzon said.

Unique earrings produced by Sheree Reynaldo of Buttons 'n Things, worn by national andd local beauty contest candidates, and seen to be used as embellishments on the native placemats ordered by Rustan's Department Store, according to DTI-Aklan

Through all the challenges the cooperative faced – before and during the pandemic, Lanzon said they have the government to thank for – particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – for connecting them with buyers, training their workers, and providing them handlooms through the Shared Service Facility (SSF) program of the agency.

The DTI provided HAMPCO 175 handlooms in three tranches since 2014, which enabled the cooperative to produce quality woven products. “These handlooms are all in good working condition,” she said.

Another MSME that thrived during the pandemic is the Buttons ‘n Things, with Sheree Reynaldo as the owner and designer.

She produces novel items like earrings made out of raw materials mostly found in Aklan; face masks made of piña and cotton cloth that figured during national and local beauty pageants for being used by candidates; bracelets, bags, and many more.

She recently participated at the “Bagsakan Trade Fair” organized by the DTI and held in Iloilo City, and her products, requested to be em-

bellished on the abaca placemats produced by Aparicio Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) in Ibajay that impressed a buyer from Rustan’s, will soon be displayed in that department store in Manila.

Meanwhile, Rose Sauza of Rosa Foods, one of Aklan’s pioneer producers of processed meat and meat products, said that she continued her business in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now that restrictions have been somehow eased as Aklan is now under Alert Level 1, she said her sales have started picking up.

Her display area is located along the national highway in a Kalibo barangay and according to her, buyers, some passing after vacationing in Boracay, regularly stop to buy meat products from her establishment.

To help other entrepreneurs who are producing nonmeat products, she also invited them to display their products like pastries, candies, and other pasalubong items in her store, so that like her, they could start earning gradually and rise from the challenges caused by the pandemic. (JBG/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)

PIA AKLAN BALITA

The town of Malay, which is located at the northwestern tip of Panay Island, is best known for its world’s famous Boracay Island. However, Malay is more than just Boracay, as it offers more with its amazing hidden gems that are ’must-to-visit’ destinations.

Malay, true to its brand as the tourism capital of the province of Aklan, has a lot of tourist attractions worthy to be visited and explored, which travellers and tourists would definitely love and enjoy.

Top on the list of the ‘must -to-visit’ destinations in Malay, Aklan is the Nabaoy River in Barangay Nabaoy. Nabaoy River is a serene place recommended for bonding and get-together.

In one of the episodes of Network Briefing News, of which Malay Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Christine Hope Pasuguiron was one of the guests, said that Nabaoy River is not just a simple river considering that it was once declared as the second cleanest river in the Philippines.

“Nabaoy River has a lot of marine resources, one of these is the traditional ’patuyaw’, a type of shrimp that could only be found in Nabaoy River,”said Pasuguiron, adding that they are now

PAGE 03

Vol. No. 20 Issue No. 06

preserving the indigenous species.

Alongside the river, are native huts or resorts which the locals offer native dishes and delicacies at affordable rates; and while you are there, you could go for ATV adventure, trekking, and river activities.

“While trekking for 30 minutes to more than one hour, you will be fascinated by the sightings of the many stunning waterfalls in Nabaoy,”Christine noted.

Another place worthy to be visited in Malay is the Barangay Naasug where four tourist spots could be found the Naasug Point, Vinewood, Bongbongon Beach, and D’Lighthouse.

Naasug Point is a 120-foot vertical cliff adjacent to the sea. As described, it has a white beach and amazing underwater resources, worthy for sight-seeing, swimming and scuba diving. It has a virgin forest and cave which are a sanctuary to wildlife.

The Vinewood, fondly labelled as the ‘Hollywood of Aklan’, is located right on top of Tuhaw Hills. One of its highlights is the viewdeck on top, overlooking the Island of Boracay.

“Intagrammable and picture perfect ang bawat sulok

The Bongbongan Beach located in Barangay Naasug, Malay, Aklan. Its water is crystal clear and the sand is white and powdery. (SQP-PIA Aklan/Photo courtesy of LGU-Malay)

The Nabaoy River in Barangay Nabaoy, Aklan. It is considered as the cleanestriver in Malay. (SQP-PIA Aklan/Photo courtesy of Provincial Government of Aklan)

sa Vinewood and it gives you a ‘Bali (Indonesia) feels’ there,” a local tourist and vlogger said.

If you want to feel ‘Boracay like beach’, Bongbongan Beach is for you to check out.

The water is crystal clear and the sand is white and powdery. Although it is not that superb as that of Boracay Island beaches, the place is a secluded beach where you could freely lay back, chill and relax.

Another emerging top destination in Barangay Naasug is the D’Lighthouse. It is a place that is very much ideal for family, friends and in romantic relationship bonding.

For those who love watching the sunset, this place is best for you.

“Breathtaking and panalo ang lugar,” a tourist described the place.

Tourists could also set their journey in Nagata Falls in Barangay Nabaoy, a magnificent and the highest among the waterfalls in Malay.

According to the Malay Tourism Office, in getting there, travelers will be crossing five rivers but would be a very enjoyable experience as you are going to explore the scenic, untouched nature.

Another remarkable waterfall in the municipality is the Agnaga Mini Falls and Cold Spring, located in Barangay Kabulihan. It is a place where the forest and rocks

meet the spring.

Within the Barangay Poblacion is a wildlife sanctuary, Pangihan Cave. Based on the record of the local tourism, it has a total area of 5,001 square meters (275 meters long and 3-5 meters wide) wherein it has eight (8) connecting chambers with glittering stalactites and stalagmites. The cave has narrow corridors that open up to huge, spacious chambers that serve as home to thousands of native bats (kuyapnit) nesting in the cracks and crevices.

The last is the Malay Ecological Park in Barangay Argao which is a rural ecotourism attraction of the municipality. It has a total area of 8,010 square meters and 35 meters inclined. It is a scenic place where you can overview the Island of Boracay. The park is covered with fruitbearing trees, and inside has a butterfly and botanical garden, as well as tree houses with view decks.

The aforesaid tourist spots are not that popular yet, but the municipal tourism is very much optimistic they will soon be tagged as famous destinations as such offer remarkable and noteworthy beauties.

Indeed, there is more to Malay than just Boracay Island. The hidden gems of mainland Malay are just waiting for you to explore their beauties. (AAL/SQP/PIA Aklan)

PIA AKLAN BALITA

Aklan to hold…

From page 01 Provincial Micro Small and Medium Development Council (PMSMEDC), said that the focus industries of the marketing event will be wearables and homestyle with emphasis on abaca, piña, and raffia fiber processing and handwoven nito basketries; processed foods like frozen meat, fruit juices, cacao and coco-based; and bamboo processing.

Aside from the Aklan provincial government, other partner agencies and organizations of this year’s festival are the Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP); PMSMEDC; Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc., Aklan Piña Manufacturers and Traders(PINAMANTRA), Inc., and the Wearables and Homestyle Industry Council.

For prospective buyers, Iturralde said the BTDP-DTI will be inviting institutional buyers like the Rustan’s Department Store, Tesoro’s Philippine Handicrafts, Balikbayan Handicrafts, and other Manila-based fashion designers.

On the other hand, the Wearables and Homestyle Council is planning to invite MovenPick-Boracay, Crimson Hotel, Shangrila Boracay, and other exporters based in Manila.

To make the event more memorable and catchy as this year’s festival is being mounted after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, there will be remarkable activities to be conducted during the five-day event like a mini fashion show featuring Aklanon models, Best Wearable and Homestyle Design Contest, Awarding of Best Des i g n er ( We ar a bl e an d Homestyle); and Craft Demonstration.

Iturralde said this year’s event targets to earn P5 million in sales and booked orders.

The festival will be held at the Provincial Trade Hall, located at the Provincial Capitol Grounds.

(JBG/VGV/ PIA6 Aklan)

Vol. No. 20 Issue No. 06

PAGE 04