PIA Aklan Balita, (November 16 - 30, 2022)

Volume 20

Issue 22

November 16 - 30, 2022

Kalibo International Airpot

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) -- Direct flights from Taiwan to Kalibo International Airport will resume this December 2022, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)-Aklan confirmed.

In a media interview, CAAP-Aklan manager Engr. John William Fuerte said that the TigerAir Taiwan of the China Airlines Group will recommence flights to Kalibo starting December 29, 2022.

According to Fuerte, this is the newest addition of international flights at KIA before the year ends, in time for the influx of tourists and guests in Boracay Island for the celebration of New Year and KaliboAti-atihan Festival.

The said airline will be using Airbus-320 aircraft that has a carrying capacity of 180 passengers.

With such development, Fuerte said that this will help the tourism industry and economy of the province to grow further.

Presently, other direct international flights from Korea – the Air Seoul, T'Way Airlines, and JinAir remain their operations at KIA with two flights per day and seen to have more schedules by March next year.

Fuerte also revealed that airline companies from Singapore have expressed interests to have direct flights to Kalibo; which could possibly start their operations at KIA in the first part of 2023.

Aside from this, there is a current negotiation to have direct flights from Malaysia and China. (AAL/SQP/PIAAklan)

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) -- The province of Aklan is free from red tide, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

This is based on Shellfish Bulletin No. 23 Series of 2022, dated Nov. 21, that identified the coastal waters of Altavas, Batan and New Washington in Batan Bay in the province of Aklan, as free from the toxin.

The Bulletin also identified coastal areas from all over the country that are free from red tide, located in Luzon, in the Visayas, and Mindanao.

In Western Visayas, other areas that remain red-tide free are Gigantes Island, Carles, and Borongon, San Dionisio in Iloilo; and E. B. Magalona, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod Continued on page… 02

It is business as usual at the Talabahan Village located in Barangay Tambak, New Washington, Aklan because Aklan has been declared still red tide-free by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) recently.

PIA AKLAN BALITA

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Vol. No. 20 Issue No. 22

Aklan is red tide-free...

From page 01 City, Hinigaran, and Victorias City in Negros Occidental.

On the other hand, BFAR has listed 11 coastal areas in the country which have red tide.

These are in Milagros in Masbate, Roxas City, Sapian Bay, Panay, President Roxas, and Pilar, all in the province of Capiz; Irong-Irong Bay and San Pedro Bay in Samar; Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; and Lianga Bay in Surigao del

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) -- The province of Aklan launched this year’s Drug Abuse Prevention and Control (DAPC) week during the Provincial Government’s regular flag-raising ceremony in front of the Provincial Capitol Building in Kalibo.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial staff joined the activity to give more significance to the celebration and to emphasize the importance of having a drug-free community.

DILG-Aklan Local Government Operations Officer V Noela Joy Alvarez, who represented DILG-Aklan Provincial Director Dino Ponsaran, gave the rationale of the observance of DAPC Week while Engr. Roger M. Esto, Provincial Coordinator of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO,) led the recitation of the Pledge of Commitment “This is to promote public awareness against the evil effects of illegal drug use as well as to encourage public cooperation in the anti-drug campaign,” Alvarez told the Provincial Government personnel and employees of other government agencies holding office at the Capitol compound.

This year’s DAPC celebrationcoincides with the 50th Founding Anniversary celebration of the DDB in the country.

This year’s DAPC Week celebration theme is “Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises #CareInCrises” which emphasizes the importance of combat-

CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz - The CPP-NPA Terrorist in Negros suffered successive setbacks following the death of its two members in an encounter with the joint elements of 94th and 47th Infantry Battalions in Sitio Makilo, Barangay Camansi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on November 30, 2022.

The first encounter occurred around 02:10 in the morning while the troops of two battalions were conducting a joint combat operation in the area after residents reported the presence and location of the NPA terrorists.

After a five-minute firefight, the NPAs withdrew southward. The troops immediately conducted pursuit operations, resulting in another encounter at around 02:15 A.M., one hundred meters from the first encounter site. The ten-minute exchange of fire yielded two unidentified dead NPAs. Seized from the possession of the killed NPAs were one (1) KG9 with magazine and ammunition, two (2) Cal.45 Pistol with magazines and ammunition, two (2) hand grenades, one (1) Bagong Hukbong Bayan Flag, one (1) CPP Flag, two (2) Mao caps, and subversive documents and lecture materials.

On November 28, 2022, two NPA terrorists were also killed in an encounter with the troops of the 62nd Infantry

Sur. Harvesting, selling, buying and eating shellfishes from these areas are prohibited as all types of these, including Acetes sp. or alamang, are not safe for human consumption, according to BFAR. However, fish, squids, shrimps and crabs from these areas are safe for human consumption provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking. (JBG/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)

Engr. Roger M. Esto (middle), leads the Pledge of Commitment in support of Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week

ting disinformation campaigns about illegal drugs that can harm the public.

The theme calls for the mitigation of the negative impact of false information, bolster public’s knowledge to make the people less susceptible to the myths and inaccuracies surrounding illegal drugs, and intensify their resilience against the influence of drug use and to protect the most vulnerable sectors which include children and youth, people who used drugs, people with drug use disorders, and people who need access to controlled medicines, according to Alvarez. (JBG/ VGV/PIA6 Aklan)

Battalion in Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla.

Army in Negros said that the successful anti-insurgency operation is a result of the locals’ tip-off to soldiers, indicating that they are now fed-up with the daily extortion and other terroristic activities of the NPA terrorists.

3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division Commander Major General Benedict Arevalo commended the collaborative effort of the 94IB, 47IB, and the local populace that resulted in the demise of two NPAs. “The successive debacle of the NPA Terrorist in Negros is a clear manifestation that they are losing grip and influence over their claimed mass base. They are now on the run, and their movement is now limited, for Negrenses are very vigilant in reporting their presence and activities,” said MGen Arevalo.

MGen Arevalo also re-echoed his persistent reminder to remaining NPAs to give up a bloody armed struggle while they still have time.

“If you refuse to surrender, you still can’t escape from the long arm of the law – you will be caught or killed,” the 3ID Commander stressed. (LTC MAGNO M MAPALAD III (INF)

PIA AKLAN BALITA

Vol. No. 20 Issue No. 22

Benefit disbursements reach P3.77 trillion when adjusted for inflation The Social Security System (SSS) announced on Monday that it has disbursed a total of P2.49 trillion benefits through the 45 million claims it has received from the start of its operations in September 1957 up to August 2022. The private sector pension fund made this disclosure as it reached its 65th year of service to the working Filipinos.

Long-term benefits accounted for almost 90 percent of the said disbursements with Retirement Benefit at nearly P1.33 trillion, Death Benefit at P792.92 billion, and Disability Benefit at P119.18 billion for a total of around P2.24 trillion.

Short-term benefits, on the other hand, made up the remaining 10 percent with Maternity Benefit at P120.91 billion, Funeral Benefit at P68.17 billion, Sickness Benefit at P56.92 billion, Unemployment Benefit at P3.69 billion, and Employees’ Compensation Medical or Rehab Services at P1.77 billion for a total of about P251.47 billion.

SSS President and CEO Michael G. Regino said that if the total amount of SSS benefit disbursements for the said period is adjusted for inflation, this would amount to P3.77 trillion with long-term benefits at P3.33 trillion and short-term benefits at P433.25 billion.

“From 1957 up to 2021, we recorded annual increases in the amount of benefit disbursements, except only for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our P223.98 billion benefit disbursements for 2021 are an all-time high. This year, however, we are on track to exceed this amount as for the first eight months of 2022, we have already disbursed P165.04 billion benefits, which is 7.1% more than the P154.05 billion disbursed for the same period last year,” Regino said.

The constant growth in SSS’ benefit disbursements can be attributed mainly to the gradual addition of benefits, increase in the number of its members, and expansion of membership coverage.

Some of these factors are the scheduled reforms provided

Source: MunozCity Pnp Ne

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under the Social Security Act of 2018. This includes the increase in the contribution rate, and minimum and maximum monthly salary credit (MSC) every other year starting 2019 until 2025, which apart from strengthening the SSS fund life would gradually raise the minimum and maximum benefit a member may receive.

The provisions of the said law also include the introduction of the Mandatory Provident Fund in 2021 for the portion of contributions in excess of the P20,000 MSC, and the upcoming launch of the voluntary provident fund, Workers’ Investment and Savings (WISP) Plus, which both would promote higher benefits for members and their beneficiaries; the expansion of mandatory coverage to Overseas Filipino Workers; and the granting of the Unemployment Benefit, among others.

Another factor is the implementation of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law on March 11, 2019, which increases the number of compensable days of maternity leave, from the initial 60 days for normal delivery or 78 days for caesarian section delivery, to 105 days for live childbirth—regardless of the type of delivery and an additional 15 days paid leave if the female worker qualifies as a solo parent.

The law also granted further consideration to our women by extending maternity leave to every instance of pregnancy, miscarriage, or ETP, regardless of frequency, from the previous limit of the first four deliveries or miscarriages.

“Behind each of the millions of claims we have disbursed over the past 65 years is a member that we have provided with meaningful social security protection during contingencies,” Regino said.

“Guided by our experience, knowledge, and culture of excellence, we will continue to fulfill this mandate and work towards establishing a stronger and sustainable SSS for the current and future generations of workers in the private and informal sector,” he concluded. (AMIEL GENOVA/SSS)