Volume 20
Issue 10
May 16 - 31, 2022
By: Sheila Patoza KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) – Some 86 schools in the province of Aklan are set to implement the progressive expansion phase of the limited face-to-face classes, according to the Department of Education-Aklan. Based on Memorandum 204, series of 2022 issued by the DepEd-Western Visayas, the 86 schools have been approved to conduct the face-to-face classes after the school’s duly compliance of the necessary requirements for the said mode of learning and the on-site validation of the Regional Composite Team last May 18 to 19. This batch of elementary and secondary schools that will be joining the F2F learning is composed of 81 public schools and five private schools. The five private schools in Aklan that will start the limited face-to-face learning are Infant Jesus Academy, St. Joseph’s Academy, Inc. Buruanga Academy, Ibajay Academy, Inc. and Western Aklan Academy, Inc. For the public schools, the following are set to conduct their in-person learning: Calizo National High School in Ba- Teachers and staff of Ondoy National High School prepare the school for the limited face-to-face classes. (SQP/PIA-Aklan/Photo courtesy of Ondoy Na-
Continued on page… 05 tional High School)
By: Venus Villanueva The "100 tourists, 100 trees" policy will also be a requireKALIBO, Aklan -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan has approved an ordinance of the local government of Ma- ment for the establishments in the Island when renewing lay that pushes for the planting of 100 trees for every 100 their business permits in the future. This policy is embodied under LGU-Malay Ordinance No. tourists that a certain establishment in Boracay Island re469 Series of 2022 which also states that trees will be planted ceives in a year. at identified tree planting zones or sites. In a radio interview, SP Committee Chair on Environment Jay Tejada said the ordinance will be included in the Provincial Environment Code that calls on everyone to preserve trees and other natural resources in protected areas. Barangay councils could also be involved in the implementation of said ordinance, in case establishment owners have no identified lots or sites where they could plant the 100 trees, according to Tejada. These barangay councils could help them in identifying sites in their respective barangays where they may plant these trees. Those establishments in the island that would not follow the ordinance will not be granted a permit to operate or renew their permits. (JBG/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)
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Vol. No. 20 Issue No. 10
By Sheila Patoza
KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) -- Six graduating students in Aklan, who performed well in the field of development communication through their school publications, are among the recipients of the Philippine Information Agency 6’s 45th Iwag Award. The IWAG Award is a yearly incentive scheme since 1977 designed by the PIA in Region 6 to give recognition to campus paper writers who excel in development communications and related fields, including academic performance. PIA 6 Regional Head Cheryl B. Amor commended this year’s awardees and asked the young campus journalists to continue to be torchbearers of timely, accurate and relevant information as they move on to the next phases of their lives as inspired by the trainings and recognition the PIA-6 provided. Among the six awardees in Aklan, three are college graduating students and the remaining three are graduating senior high school. The campus journalist IWAG awardees in college are Quennie Q. Irarum of the Aklan Collegian publication of Aklan Catholic College; and John Mark Francisco of Eamigas Publication of Aklan State University - Main Campus in Banga, Aklan. Also included in this year’s IWAG Awardees in college category came from. ASU-Ibajay Campus, Almera Manalili of the The Panicle publication.
For the graduating senior high school, all of the three awardees came from the Regional Science High School for Region 6. Said awardees are Vheanel Therese T. Iquiña and Blessy Sairah P. Regalado of the Ang Pahayagang Iskolar; and Gabrielli Isabelle A. Barrios of Scholar's Gazette. Each of the PIA-6 IWAG awardees will receive a medal and certification of citation. (AAL/SQP/PIA-Aklan)
By Venus Villanueva
KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) -- The Aklan Provincial Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development (PAGPTD) will conduct a Social and Peace Awareness Campaign among Aklanon youth. This is in support to the Philippine National Police's
(PNP) Patrol Plan 2030, with the aim of making communities in Aklan a safer place to live, work and do business. Melrose Lunn, chairperson of PAGPTD, said the activity will be conducted through the group’s youth sector, in partnership with Aklan Baghay (Bagong Buhay), Inc., and National Intelligence Coordinating Council (NICA) Regional Office 6. There will be two venues and sets of participants for the activity, which will be conducted on May 25 and 26, 2022, namely, at the Aklan State University (ASU) Main Campus Amphitheater in Banga, Aklan, and at LGU-Ibajay Covered Court, Ibajay, Aklan, respectively. Lunn said the Social and Peace Awareness Campaign is a project specifically designed to conduct series of youth fora among Aklanon youths with topics to be delivered on anti-criminality, countering terrorist recruitment, antiillegal drugs, and the pillars of peace. Resource persons, according to her, will be coming from the NICA and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). “All youth groups from Aklan are free to join provided that they will refrain from including political agenda and any form of discrimination among their fellow youth,” she Officers of the Provincial Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Devel- said. For each venue, some 500 participants are expected to opment (PAGPTD) led by President Melrose Lunn (3rd from left). They were attend. (JBG/VGV/PIA6 Aklan) inducted into office by Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) Provincial Director Police Col. Crisaleo Tolentino (second from left). (APPO Photo)
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Vol. No. 20 Issue No. 10
By: Amiel Genova The Social Security System (SSS) registered earnings of P28 billion in 2021 from its operations, with contributions and investment income exceeding benefit payments and operating expenses. In its 2021 unaudited financial statement, its cash inflows of P262 billion surpassed its cash outflows of P234 billion. In the last six years, SSS recorded cumulative earnings of P202 billion, even with a record-breaking P1.1 trillion benefit payments and P254 billion loan releases to its members and pensioners. SSS’ adoption of the Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) 4, which recognizes Social Benefit Liabilities (SBLs) and the Margin for Adverse Deviation (MfAD), resulted in an increase in policy reserves of P872 billion that contributed to the accounting net loss of nearly P844 billion for 2021. “We want to clarify that the increase in policy reserves is not actual cash that went out of the fund in 2021. These are simply estimates of the required reserves to fund future bene-
fit claims,” SSS President and CEO Michael G. Regino said. “We recognize these future liabilities as early as now to be more transparent in managing the SSS fund and to create a clearer view of our long-term financial standing. We assure our stakeholders that this does not affect our current cash flows and we remain financially viable in terms of providing benefits to our members,” he added. Notably, the SSS’ fund life is estimated to last until 2054. The estimated fund life of the social security institutions of other ASEAN countries such as Vietnam and Thailand are until 2027 and 2054, respectively, while the United States Social Security Administration fund is expected to last only until 2034. Regino said that SSS is always open to dialogues with policymakers, which can be a platform to help the pension fund’s stakeholders understand the current accounting standard it follows for the reporting of its financial performance. (Amiel Genova/SSS)
By: Amiel Genova Social Security System (SSS) President and CEO Michael G. Regino on Wednesday announces that retirement pensioners who are first time borrowers under the SSS Pension Loan Program (PLP) may file their applications online starting May 30, 2022 in the My.SSS Portal. Previously, first time pension loan borrowers needed to visit the nearest SSS branch to file their initial applications since online filing is available only for renewal of loan applications. “We recognize the challenges faced by our retirement pensioners in going to SSS branch to avail of the Pension Loan Program. With the pandemic still around, pensioners prefer to have their transactions done online in their respective homes. This online facility makes it easier for them to avail of said program as it also guarantees a faster approval process,”
Regino explains. Regino also urges retirement pensioners to take advantage of this low-interest loan offering from the SSS. He ensures that SSS will not require them to surrender their ATM cards as pawn collateral, unlike some private loan institutions. The PLP was launched to assist retirement pensioners in their short-term financial needs by offering a loan at a lowinterest rate of 10% per annum. Qualified retirement pensioners can apply for a loan equivalent to 3, 6, 9, or 12 times of their basic monthly pension plus the ₱1,000.00 additional benefit, but not exceeding the maximum amount of ₱200,000.00. Further information on the pension loan program and its terms and conditions can be accessed through this link https:// bit.ly/3sKV1HA. (Amiel Genova/SSS)
By: Amiel Genova The Social Security System (SSS) announced today that member may update their contact information online starting May 16, 2022 after the state-run pension fund resumed the said online updating of record on the My.SSS portal. In a statement, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Regino said members using their My.SSS account can update or change their contact details, such as telephone number, mobile number, mailing address, foreign address,
and e-mail address, without visiting any SSS branch to file their member data change request. Those with no existing contact information except their mobile number may also update their contact details. On the other hand, members without registered mobile numbers with SSS need to visit any branch office to submit their mobile Continued on page… 04
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Vol. No. VIX Issue No. 10
By: Amiel Genova Social Security System (SSS) President and CEO Michael G. Regino today clarified that the net loss of P843.9 billion shown in its unaudited financial statements for 2021 is a result of a change in accounting standard brought by Philippine Financial Reporting Standards (PFRS) 4. Regino, however, assured SSS members and pensioners that the said reported losses do not affect the SSS’ current cash flow and funding situation and it remains financially viable of providing benefits to its stakeholders. In fact, SSS cash inflows composed of contribution collections and investment and other income for 2021 reached P262 billion, exceeding its cash outflows of P234 billion composed of benefit payments and operating expenses for the same year by P28 billion. “This increase in net loss from the previous year is due to the recognition of the Margin for Adverse Deviation (MfAD) in our policy reserves. MfAD serves as a buffer for conservatism,
which we have considered in our financial statements beginning 2021,” Regino explained. Policy reserves are forward-looking estimates of net future liabilities. These include benefit payments that will be disbursed to SSS members and their beneficiaries in the future. “These future liabilities need to be recognized now as these provide us an accurate view of our long-term financial standing, which serves as our guide, as well as for the government in ensuring that we will be able to continuously serve our current and future members and their beneficiaries,” Regino added. The SSS is a state-run social insurance institution that extends social security protection to Filipino workers in the private and informal sectors. Under the Social Security Act of 2018, it provides seven benefit programs namely Sickness, Maternity, Unemployment, Retirement, Disability, Death, and Funeral, as well as loan privileges. (Amiel Genova/SSS)
By: Amiel Genova Social Security System (SSS) President and Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Regino urges members with past-due loans to avail of the Short-Term Member Loan Penalty Condonation Program (STMLPCP) or Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Program 5 (PRRP 5) before it ends on May 14, 2022. As part of the Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Programs, PRRP 5 is being offered by SSS since November 15, 2021 to provide financial relief to its pandemic-hit members. Outstanding loan principal and interest may be settled either through one-time full payment or installment term while the accumulated penalties will be waived upon full payment of the restructured loan.
Included in the program are those with outstanding Salary, Calamity, Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP), Emergency Loans, and Restructured Loan under the Loan Restructuring Program (LRP) implemented in 2016 to 2019. “We want our members to gain back their good standing with SSS through this condonation program that offers affordable and flexible payment terms. Also, they can conveniently submit their application online through their My.SSS account,” Regino said Further information on the penalty condonation, payment schemes, and other terms and conditions can be accessed through this link https://bit.ly/3kB4Ao8. (Amiel Genova/ SSS)
SSS resumes updating…
Members can update their contact information by logging in to their respective My.SSS account and access the “Update Contact Info” which they can find in the “Member Info” menu. They can also update or change their contact numbers, e-mail addresses, and mailing addresses, except their home address, and submit them online. SSS will send a notification message to their existing or new e-mail address and mobile number. They just need to confirm their request to update their contact details by clicking the link sent to them. SSS members only have three days to confirm their request because the link will immediately expire after that period, and they will have to repeat the process once again. After confirming their request, the updated contact information will take effect after two days and SSS will notify them that their contact details have been updated. Regino urged all members to ensure that they provide their up-to-date contact information since communication about updates on their SSS transactions are based on these details. (Amiel Genova/SSS)
From page 03 number using the Member Data Change Request Form, and set a branch appointment through their My.SSS account or they can do walk-in transactions following the schedule based on the last digit of their SSS number. “We exerted all our efforts to expedite the completion of all the necessary IT enhancements for the My.SSS and provide our members a more convenient way of updating their contact information at the comfort of their homes or offices, 24/7. Moreover, it has always been our goal to give a better service to our members and help them facilitate their SSS transactions,” Regino said. The state-run pension fund has suspended the online updating of contact details on the My.SSS starting on August 3, 2021 to enhance the online portal and boost its security features to protect the confidential information of its members. The online updating of members’ contact details has now been reverted to give its members a more convenient and safer way of updating their SSS records.
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Vol. No. VIX Issue No. 10
86 more schools… From page 01 lete; Bacan National High School, Mangan National High School in Banga; Bay-ang Elementary School, Camanci National High School, Mambuquiao Integrated School, Palay Integrated School (Batan); Regional Science High School for Region VI, Gaudencio L. Vega National High School, Bakhaw Norte Integrated School (Kalibo); Bulwang Elementary School, Laguinbanua Elementary School, Numancia National School of Fisheries (Numancia); and Alaminos Elementary. School, Balactasan Elementary School, Madalag Elementary School, Madalag National High School, Mamba Elementary School, Paningayan Elementary School (Madalag). Other public schools are Kinalangay Viejo Integrated School, Malandayon Primary School, Malinao Elementary School, Manhanip Primary School, San Roque Integrated School all in Malinao; Balusbus Elementary School, Mayapay Elementary School (Buruanga); and Guadalupe National High School, Alfonso XII National High School, Libacao National Forestry Vocational High School, Calacabian Elementary School (Libacao). In the municipality of Malay, Argao Elementary School, Cubay Elementary School, Malay Elementary School, Malay National High School, Naasog Elementary School, Napaan Elementary School, Sambiray Primary School, KabulihanDumlog Elementary School; Balabag Elementary School, Lamberto H. Tirol National High School, Manocmanoc Ele-
PAGE 05 mentary School, Manocmanoc National High School and Yapak Elementary School have also scheduled their face-to-face classes. Ibajay schools that have passed the validation are Agdugayan Elementary School, Bugtongbato Elementary School, Naile Elementary School, Naisud Central School, Regador Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, San Isidro Elementary School, Unat-Bagacay Elementary School, Naile National High School, Naisud National High School, Agbago Elementary School, Batuan Primary School, Capilijan Primary School, Ibajay Central School, Ibajay National High School, Laguinbanua Elementary School, Malindog Primary School, Tul-ang Elementary School, Yawan Primary School, Aquino Elementary School, Antipolo Elementary School, Ondoy Elementary School, and Ondoy National High School. Lastly are in Nabas town schools such as Agutay Primary School, Solido National High School, Toledo National High School, Unidos National High School, Union National High School, Buenasuerte Elementary School, Gibon Elementary School, Habana Elementary School, Libertad Elementary School, Nagustan Elementary School, Solido Elementary School, Tagororoc Integrated School, Toledo Elementary School, Unidos Elementary School, and Union Elementary School. Currently, there are 35 schools in the province that have already resumed conducting the limited face-to face learning. (AAL/SQP/PIA-Aklan)