PIA Aklan Balita, September 1 - 15, 2022

Volume 20

Issue 17

September 1 - 15, 2022

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) -- It is now optional or voluntary for Aklanons to wear face masks in open spaces.

This is based on Executive Order No. 027, series of 2022, issued September 13, 2022 by Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores which adopts and establishes the guidelines in the wearing of facemasks and the continued implementation of Minimum Public Health Standards pursuant to Executive Order No. 03 issued by His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. dated Sept. 12, 2022.

In his E.O., Miraflores said the issuance by the President of E.O. No. 03 was premised on Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Resolution No. 01, series of 2022, recommending for the liberalization of the mask mandate by amending the guidelines and making wearing of face masks optional in open spaces or non-crowded areas with good ventilation, provided that senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals are highly encouraged to wear the masks.

An alternative is the issuance of an executive order lifting the mandatory mask mandate and allow the optional wearing of face masks in open spaces, outdoor areas, and no-crowded spaces with good ventilation.

“For several months now, Aklan has remained under Alert Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores during one of his activities where he Level 1 and as of September 13, 95.94% of Aklan’s population also announced his recent issuance of E.O. 027 making wearing of face masks optional in the province. (Photo Courtesy of Aklan Public Information and

Continued on page… 02 Media Division)

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) – The Island of Boracay in Malay, Aklan, remains to be one of the top tourist destinations in the country as still many visitors choose to spend their vacation in the island.

Data from the Malay Municipal Tourism Office showed that from January to August 2022, a total of 1,189,481 tourists visited the world-famous Boracay Island.

Bulk of the island’s visitors for the first eight months of this year was domestic tourists with 1,110,294 arrivals.

On the other hand, foreign tourist arrivals were recorded at 55,184 and have kept on increasing from 434 in February to 19,609 in August. The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and Overseas Filipinos (OF) that visited the island were 24,003.

According to the local tourism office, the increase on foreign and domestic tourist arrivals were attributed to the resumption of international flights at the Kalibo International Tourists having their walk while enjoying the scenic view of the crystal clear Airport and easing of travel restrictions, respectively. blue waters and white powdery sand at the front beach of Boracay Island. Data The month of May was posted with the highest number of from Malay Municipal Tourism Office showed that from January to August 2022, the island of Boracay received a total of 1,189,481 tourists. (SQP/PIAAklan)

Continued on page… 03

PIA AKLAN BALITA

Vol. No. 20 Issue No. 17

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) -- The province of Aklan will be embarking on a banner program called “Digital Aklan 2024,” a time-bound implementation of digitalization program in all the 17 towns here in partnership with the Provincial Government of Aklan and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

This plan was announced by Aklan governor Jose Enrique Miraflores when he delivered his message during the 10th Visayan ICT Organization (VICTOR) Conference 2022 Governor’s Night in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, held back-toback with the 7th Visayas Creative Congress (CreaCon) from August 26 to 27, 2022 at the La Carmela Hotel.

The back-to-back activities were hosted by the province of Aklan through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Aklan Tourism and Trade Investment Promotion Center (ATTPC) in coordination with the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) Visayas, DICT Region VI, Aklan ICT Council, and the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT).

The activities were also supported by the Aklan ICT Council, headed by its Executive Director Gabrielle Calizo Quimpo.

The events sought to attract more investors, provide jobs, and vast opportunities in the industry of ICT to propel the province of Aklan into a more digitally-capable place leading to a more progressive economy.

“Let me share with you my excitement with the prospect of Aklan being the next IT-BPM location in Panay Island. While Aklan already hosts a number of small but successful homegrown Business Processing Outsourcing (BPOs) as well as freelancers and start-ups, we are bullish in attracting major IT-BPM players. We are confident of our big talent pool, presence of infrastructure, good business environment, and cost competitiveness,” Miraflores told the conference participants, led by DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy and other undersecretar-

Wearing of face masks...

From page 01 have been fully vaccinated, thus, it is but apt to adopt the mandate of Executive Order No.03 of the Office of the President,” Miraflores said in his E.O. Although the executive order makes wearing of face masks in open spaces and non-crowded areas with good ventilation voluntary provided physical distancing is observed, the Governor stressed that face masks shall continually be worn in all other areas including in public transportation by land, air, or sea and in indoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

The E.O. also mandates that the minimum public health standards intended to effectively prevent and to minimize the spread of C0VID-19 shall be implemented consistent with the principles of accountability, evidence-based decision-making, socio-economic equity, and right-based approach.

Meanwhile, as of this writing, two municipalities in Aklan have issued executive orders in reference to E.O. No. 03 of President Marcos.

LGU-Kalibo, through Mayor Juris Sucro, issued E.O. No. 032 adopting by reference E.O. issued by President Marcos; while LGU-Malay, through Mayor Frolibar Bautista, issued E.O. No. 026 Series of 2022 mandating moratorium in the implementation of selected provisions of Municipal Ordinance No. 470, Series of 2022. (JBG/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)

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Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores of Aklan welcomes participants of the 10th Visayas ICT Conference held at La Carmela Hotel in Boracay Island on August 26, 2022. (Photo Courtesy of PESO-Aklan)

ies of the department, NICP President and Vice President Dr. Mary Joy Abueg and Machael Tiu Lim respectively, DFA Undersecretary Jesus Domingo, and other IT industry players.

He added that Aklan’s population is relatively young with the youth – with ages 15 to 30 comprising almost 34% of the total population while those with ages 14 and below comprise 29%.

“Among them have the potentials to be excellent, worldclass digital workers. While they may have raw talent, it is of utmost importance that they be provided with a learning environment that will hone and refine such talents. In this regard, we are fortunate to have good schools and universities, complemented by the presence of TECH4ED and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Centers and the availability of regular trainings provided by the DICT,” the governor said.

He added "We are also pursuing reforms and introducing new programs to inspire confidence in governance. As a consistent Seal of Good Local Governance Awardee, Aklan promotes a balanced development for its priority sectors. The province is also stepping up initiatives to make doing business in Aklan better and more efficient through offering digital transactions such as online payment of taxes and revenues and soon, electronic disbursement.”

Miraflores concluded his message by telling the participants that for starters in making Aklan digitalized, he has included the passage of the “E-Governance Code of Aklan” in the Executive-Legislative Agenda.

He acknowledged the role of the DICT in the program as he said that they already offer a number of projects for faster, more efficient and transparent government service delivery which are available for the LGUs to adopt for free. (JBG/ VGV/PIA6 Aklan)

PIA AKLAN BALITA

Vol. No. 20 Issue No. 17

Aklan headline inflationhits6.3 percent in August, faster by 4.2 percentage points compared to 2.1% inflation in August 2021, according to Philippine Statistics Authority Aklan.

It further increased from 5.8 percent inflation in July and posted the highest inflation from the series of results sinceJanuary 2019.

The fast uptrend was mainly brought by the inflation increase of Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels with 4% from 0.5% in July; education servicesspikes at2.7% from 1.1% in the past month; and recreation, sports, and culturewhich inflated from 1.3% to 2.4% in a span of one month.

Also, inflation growths were noted in furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance, from 7% to 7.3%%; and information and communication which went up to 1.2%from 1% inflation.

On the other hand, annual upticks slowed down for food and non-alcoholic beverages with 8.9% this month compared to 9.1% inflation in the past month. Also, health and transport commodities inflated slower than their previous month’s rate.

Meanwhile, the rest of the commodity groups retained their previous month’s inflation rates or hadzero percent annual growths.

The downtrend inflation in food was highly contributed by slower annual price movements of fish and other seafoodswith 4.6% from 9.1% in July;vegetables whichdeclined to -0.3% from 2.9% in the past month; and ready-made food and other food products n.e.cwent down to 2.7% from 3.6% a month ago.

Furthermore, the consumer price index of all commodities, on the average, was estimated at 114.6 in August, which resulted in a purchasing power of peso of 87 centavos.

This can be interpreted that 100-peso worth of goods and services in 2018 can be bought at PhP114.60 in August 2022.

Inflation rate is the annual rate of change or increase in

Boracay receives...

From page 01 visitors the island received with 201,368 tourists; followed by June with 193,650 tourists; April with 186,751; and July with 183,096.

The month of August 2022, registered with 157,338 tourist arrivals; while March with 150,597; February with 80,882; and January 35,799 tourist arrivals.

Meanwhile, the Malay Tourism Office reminds tourists that despite the relaxation of travel restrictions going to the island, there are still necessary requirements that tourists should submit to allow entry to Boracay Island.

One of the documentary requirements is the Quick Response (QR) Code which could be accessed and registered at https://touristboracay.com/.

Next to be presented is the proof of identification with Philippine residency or passport for foreigners/OFWs/OF; and birth certificate for infants.

Proof of vaccination status is also a requirement. Fully vaccinated individuals must present their vaccination ID/ certificate issued either by WHO, DOH, or local government unit. For partially vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, a negative RT-PCRT result should be submitted; while for below 12 years old, parent or guardian should accomplish the Certificate of Undertaking Travelling with Minors template.

Other documents tourists should submit are their copy of a confirmed hotel booking slip/voucher from the establishment accredited by the Department of Tourism and their round trip flight/travel details. (AAL/SQP/PIA-Aklan)

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Source: Retail Price Survey of Commodities for the Generation of Consumer Price Index, Philippine Statistics Authority

the consumer price indices of goods and services.

Consumer Price index (CPI), on the other hand, is an indicator of the change in the average retail prices of a fixed basket of goods and services commonly purchased by the households relative to a base year. (PSA-Aklan)