ISSUE NO. 08, PIA-AKLAN BALITA, APR 16-30, 2019 .pdf

Volume VII

KALIBO, AKLAN, (PIA) – Boracay remains as a prime tourist destination as it recorded more than half a million tourist arrivals in the first quarter of the year.

Data from the Aklan Provincial Tourism Office showed that the island of Boracay received a total of 512,516 tourists from January to March 2019.

Of the total number, 309,591 were foreign tourists; 184,632 were domestic tourists; and 18,293 were Overseas Filipinos.

The more than half a million arrivals generated the island an income of P15,653,110,279.20 in tourism receipts; of which P12,357,816,806.40 came from foreign and overseas Filipino tourists while P3,295,293,472.80 from domestic tourists.

As reported earlier, there will be no annual target for Boracay’s tourist arrivals, unlike the previous years.

The Department of Tourism stressed that the target is limited to what is stated in the carrying capacity. Per the policy, only 6,405 tourists are allowed to enter Boracay per day. (SQP/PIA Aklan)

KALIBO, Aklan, (PIA) -- Aklan’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will once again showcase their ingenuity, innovative designs and craftsmanship at the Aklan Piña and Fiber Festival here, to be held on April 24 to 29 at The Trade Hall, Provincial Capitol Grounds, Kalibo, Aklan.

The Aklan Piña and Fiber Festival is now on its 21st year, attracting thousands of buyers and visitors, being held at the same time when Aklan celebrates its anniversary as a separate province from Capiz.

The products to be showcased will be

Issue 08

KALIBO, Aklan, (PIA6) -- Trade exhibits are still effective in marketing local products, said the Department of Trade and Industry.

DTI 6 Regional Director Rebecca M. Rascon , who was then DTI-Aklan’s Provincial Director in 1998 when the first Fiber Festival was held in the province as one of the big activities of the province in celebration of Aklan Day, said she is surprised that there are already 80 exhibitors and 17 local government units who joined the Fiber Festival now that are showcasing their producvts under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program.

Rascon also lauded Aklan for having the One Aklan, Want Aklan marketing platform, which enables the province’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to sell their products online.

“You are the first to develop such kind of marketing platform,” she said.

She also informed the audience of the two OTOP hubs which the DTI will be establishing in Kalibo and at D’ Mall in Boracay, emphasizing that Aklan is the first province to have two such hubs.

using indigenous fibers and materials to keep up with the current trends in fashion and lifestyle, according to Ma. Carmen Iturralde, Officer-In-Charge of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here.

Iturralde also said that this year, there will be a total of 78 exhibitors representing priority sectors – wearables and homestyle, furniture and furnishings, agri/aqua-based processed foods, 17 One Town, One Product (OTOP) local government units, as well as the horticultural group.

Targeting to generate sales of P7 mil-

April 16 - 30, 2019

She also mentioned the presence of an OTOP Kiosk at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) where foreign and domestic tourists alike could buy “pasalubong” items.

Rascon, together with Aklan officials led by Governor florencio T. Miraflores and Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo, said DTI-Aklan’s past and present Provincial Directors, guests, buyers and exhibitors, graced the opening of the 21st Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival here .

For his part, Governor Miraflores, remembering the humble beginnings of the festival where it is held anywhere in the vicinity of the Provincial Capitol depending on space availability, assured the stakeholders to assign a permanent showroom for Aklan products so that tourists arriving in Aklan can visit and buy before going to Boracay Island or to any other tourist destination in the province.

The Fiber Festival officially opened on April 24 and will showcase products up to April 29.

Featured at the trade fair indigenous fibers an crafts, gifts, housewares, and furnishings, processed food, pasalubong, and health and wellness products.

“Exploring Digital Opportunities to Maximize Growth” is the theme of this year’s Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival.

(JBG/VGV/PIA 6 Aklan) lion this year in cash and booked orders, the event aims to establish market linkages with potential buyers and sustain business relationship with local MSMEs and showcase the most recent designs in pina, abaca fabrics and other blends with special focus on wearable items.

Last year, Iturralde said the showcase was able to earn P15 million in cash and booked orders.

Exhibitors will be displaying this year 35 new prototypes of products they have developed.

The theme of this year’s festival is “Exploring Digital Opportunities to Maximize Growth.” (JBG/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

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Vol. No. VII Issue No. 08

Foreign and domestic tourists may now simply check with the One Town One Product (OTOP) Hubs strategically located along the national highway in the capital town of Kalibo and at the D’Mall in Boracay Island to savour the best products of the Province of Aklan.

The DTI VI, through the DTI Aklan Provincial Office, led the launching of the OTOP.ph Hub in Kalibo, Aklan on April 24. The center is housed at the Jocyl’s Food Products along Tigayon Highway in Kalibo. Jocyl’s Food Products served as the co-operator of the OTOP.ph Hub. On April 26, another kiosk for OTOP.ph Hub was opened at the D’Mall in Boracay Island with the Hugod Ak-

lanon Producers Association as its cooperator. The center is the 19th OTOP.ph Hub launched in the country by the DTI, said to OTOP Next Generation Project Manager Leon Flores.

DTI Regional Director Rebecca M. Rascon lauded DTI Aklan for launching two OTOP.ph Hubs in a week. She acknowledged the strong partnership between the DTI and MSMEs in the province.

Rascon said that the OTOP.ph Hub will house all the products of the province and will serve as a one stop shop pasalubong center for foreign and local tourists. The shop shall likewise inform the people of the existing one-town, oneproduct in the province.(DTI6)

SAGAY CITY, Negros Occidental – Three (3) members of the CPP-NPA Terrorist were killed in a clash with troops of the Army’s 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion in Calatrava, Negros Occidental at about 5:30 in the afternoon, April 17, 2019.

After receiving several reports from the concerned local populace who are complaining about the extortion activities of the CPP-NPA Terrorist in the area, Lieutenant Colonel Emelito Thaddeus Logan, the Battalion Commander of 79IB, immediately deployed his troops to conduct security patrol at the vicinity of Sitio Banwa Minatay, Brgy Marcelo of the said town where they encountered more or less Twelve (12) communistterrorists The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes. After which, the enemy scampered towards different direction. The troops recovered three (3) abandoned bodies of slain CPP-NPA terrorists and several high powered firearms and other war materials including One (1) AK 47 rifle, One (1) M16 rifle, Seven (7) AK47 magazines with live ammunitions, Five (5) M16 magazines with live ammunitions, Four (4) M14 magazines with live ammunitions, Three (3) Rifle grenades, two (2) handheld radios, backpacks, personal belongings and subversive documents with high intelligence value.

LTC Logan confirmed that one of his soldiers was slightly wounded and is now in stable condition.

Meanwhile, the cadavers of the slain communists-terrorists were turned-over to PNP and LGU-Calatrava for proper disposition.

LTC Logan stressed “The recent encounter is a manifestation that the communities are tired with the extortion activities of the CPP-NPA Terrorist.

They gave us reliable information on the exact location of the communist-terrorist organization which resulted to the suc-

Average retail prices of goods and services in Aklan increased by 16.5 percent in 2018 according to the Philippine Statistics Authority-Aklan.

Results of price survey showed that the average Consumer Price Index of the province climbed up to 116.5 percent compared to the 2012-base year, a period at which the index number is set to 100.

The CPI is indicator of the change in the average retail prices of fixed basket of goods and services purchased by the households relative to a base year.

It shows how much on the average, prices of goods have increased or decreased from a particular reference period.

According PSA, if the price of the following commodities in 2012 were as follows: 1 kg rice P40.00 ½ kg of beef P120.00. ¼ kg of kangkong P10.00 250 ml of cooking oil P38.50 P208.50 Then using the CPI in 2018, the estimated total price of the same volume of items will be P242.90.

Assuming that prices of all items moved up by 16.5 percent from the base year, an average Aklanon household needs an additional amount of P16.50 in 2018 to afford the same volume of good consumed in 2012 valuing at P100.00 During the reference year, the highest CPI was noted in October with 119.4

Continued on page… 03

Continued on page… 03

The number of poor Aklanons decreased in the first semester of 2018 according to Philippine Statistics Authority-Aklan.

Based on the record of PSA, the poverty incidence among Aklanon individuals in the first half of 2018 has declined to 19.8 percent from 28.1 percent in 2015.

Poverty incidence is the proportion of the population living below the poverty line to the total population.

Subsistence incidence, or the proportion of Aklanons in extreme poverty, however, went up to 6.0 percent in the first semester of 2018 from 5.9 percent

in 2015.

The per capita food threshold, or the minimum amount needed to meet a person’s basic food needs, was estimated at P8, 417.00, which translates to P1, 403 per month or P47.00 daily.

This means that a family of five needs at least P7, 014.00 per month to meet the family’s basic food needs.

Meanwhile, the first semester per capita poverty threshold or the minimum income required to meet the basic food and non-food needs of Aklanon families was estimated at P12, 069.00.

This means that a family of five ould Continued on page… 04

PIA AKLAN BALITA

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Vol. No. VII Issue No. 08

The Philippine Statistics Authority is currently conducting the Consumer Expectation Survey to determine the outlook of Aklanon consumers regarding our country’s economic condition, household finances, and household income.

According to Provincial Statistics Officer Antonet B. Catubuan, these data are important to guide planners in forecasting the direction of our economy and determine the behavior of our inflation rate, interest rates, as well as exchange rates.

“Consumer spending and saving decisions have important influence in determining the course of the national economy as proven in many countries conducting similar survey,” PSO Catubuan said.

Aside from it provides data on financial condition of consumers, this survey also gives quick assessment on consumers’ confidence about their income and expenditures that will generates forecast of our country’s economic activity.

A professional statistical researcher was commissioned by PSA-Aklan to conduct the survey in thirty three sample households in Aklan spread in two barangays--- Brgy. Buenavista (Nabas), and Panipiason (Madalag).

Information asks from respondents comprise family finances, buying conditions and economic condition of the country.

Also included in the assessment are saving outlook and debt situation of the respondents or that of his/her spouses.

Based on October 2018 CES result released by BankoSentral ng Pilipinas, the overall confidence index declined to 22.5 percent from -7.1 percent in Q3 2018.

This means that pessimists outnum-

CAMP MONTECLARO, Miag-ao, Iloilo – The Army’s 61st Infantry (Hunter Battalion) recovered several personal belongings left behind by scampering CPP-NPA terrorists in Barangay Panuran, Lambunao, Iloilo at about 06:10 in the morning of April 23.

According to LTC Joel Benedict Batara, Commanding Officer, 61IB, he deployed his troops in the said barangay after receiving verified information from a civilian populace that there were CPPNPA terrorists roaming in their locality.

“Before the troops reach the exact location of the target group, the communist terrorists scampered in different direction leaving their belongings and foodstuffs,” LTC Batara said. bered the optimists for Q4 2018 attributed to higher prices of commodities, low salary/income, increase in household expenses, no increase in income, and upsurge in the number of unemployed persons.

On the other hand, the spending outlook index of households on basic goods and services declined to 42.3 percent for Q1 2019 (from 45.7 percent in the previous quarter’s survey results).

This suggests that while more respondents continue to expect higher spending on basic goods and services, the number that said so decreased compared to a quarter ago indicating that growth in consumer spending could slow down in the near term.

PSO Catubuan urges respondents to support the survey by giving truthful and correct answers to interviewer.

She assured them that all information will be held strictly confidential as provided for by law. (PSA-Aklan)

The communist terrorists are believed to be members of SPP BALOY PLATOON led by Carl Teodosio aka Andoy.

“Aside from extortion activities, they are also planning to launch tactical offensives against government forces in the area. This incident also hampers their evil plans for the upcoming May 2019 midterm elections,” LTC Batara added.

Yesterday, 61IB received information from the local candidates that CPP-NPA terrorists are sending them extortion letters asking for money.

Batara called on the local populace to continue reporting any untoward incidents especially presence and movement of CPP-NPA Terrorist in their communities to prevent them from casting election-related violence and other terroristic activities.( 1LT HAZEL JOY M DUROTAN (FS) PA)

Prices of commodities…

From page 02 percent, followed by September with 119.0 percent, and August with 118.0 percent.

The lowest indices, however, were noted in January and February with 114.5 and 114.8 percent, respectively.

On the other hand, the purchasing power of peso in Aklan in 2018 was computed at P0.86.

This means that a peso in 2012 is only worth 86 centavos in 2018, or a consumer may need P116.50 to purchase the same volume of goods and services worth P100.00 in 2012.

According to PSA as the CPI goes up, the purchasing power or the real value of the peso goes down. (PSA-Aklan)

3 CPP-NPA… From page 02

ILOILO CITY— With the pursuit of maintaining an ethical and safe research environment among researchers in the region, the Department of Science and Technology Western Visayas Health Research and Development Consortium (DOST WVHRDC) in partnership with St. Paul University Iloilo (SPUI) conducted Basic Research Ethics Training at St. Paul University Iloilo last April 1-2, 2019.

More specifically, the training was conducted to dialogue and guide participants with regards to the moral dimensions of research and help partici-

pants conduct or review ethical research aside from sensitizing the participants with regard to basic research ethics concepts.

The participants were expected to apply these ethical concepts: avoid, recognize, correct ethical issues and describe to participants the different controls for research ethics, focusing on the Research Ethics Committees (RECs) and the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB). Furthermore, the said training is also conducted to motivate participants to do and advocate quality ethical research. (DOST6/KMU)

cessful neutralization of their members.”

Despite the recent encounter, Logan encouraged the remaining members of the CPP-NPA Terrorist to abandon armed struggle and avail the EnhancedComprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for them to start a new and peaceful life.

Further, he called on other communities in the area to do the same to prevent the CPP-NPA Terrorist from casting more terror. (CPT ROWELL O DAIROCAS (INF) PA/Phil.Army)

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Vol. No. VII Issue No. 08

Aklan’s poverty…

From page 02

Negros Prawn Producers Cooperative’s(NPCC) Analytical and Diagnostic Laboratory, a bacolod-based laboratory, is now the 47th, the newest, member of OneLab—a network of laboratories anchored on an information and technology platform which broadens public access to testing and calibration services at a single touch point.

The cooperative passed the criteria for the said laboratory’s membership with one of the main criteria is ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 or “General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories” accreditation This network provides standardized services and fees through all DOST and non-DOST laboratories. Moreover, it provides a timely and accurate test and calibration results.

DOST Regional Director Engr.

Rowen R. Gelonga said that the OneLab can assure that their tests are accurate and within the standards as it is an ISOaccredited facility during the launching of NPCC’s membership to the OneLab Network at the Negros Prawn Producers Cooperative last April 15, 2019.

Said membership was anchored on the ground that there is a clear need for a mechanism that will serve the testing and calibration requirements of the general public and the MSMEs in particular, as well as provide simplified system for public to complete all the required testing and calibration procedures needed for their product registration, regulatory compliance, certification for product safety, performance efficiency or quality monitoring.

The NPPC is a private agency that

provides analytical testing services primarily on aquaculture and other industries in the country. Its membership to OneLab shall oblige the NPCC to provide support through marketing and promoting the service of OneLab to all its current and prospective customers.

DOST and NPPC shall likewise provide each other assistance, shared expertise and knowledge and update regularly the services enrolled in the OneLab system.

OneLab is a Network of laboratories anchored on an IT Platform to provide a referral system for testing and calibration services at a single touch point. It aims to provide customers with convenient and easy access to laboratory testing and calibration services. It envisions to broaden public access to testing services of all DOST laboratories and Non-DOST laboratories to provide standardized services and fees. It also provides a timely and accurate test and calibration results.Onelab visions to be Globally-recognized network of analyti-

need to earn at least P10, 058.00 per month to provide for its daily nutritional sustenance and other non-food basic requirements.

Among Aklanon families, poverty incidence was estimated at 14.6 percent in 2018, lower by 42.5 percent compared to the 25.4 percent reported in 2015 On the other hand, the subsistence incidence among Aklanon families was estimated at 4.1 percent in the first semester of 2018, a decline by 28.1 percent compared to 5.7 percent recorded three years ago.

In the first semester of 2018, on average, incomes of poor families were short by 21.1 percent of the poverty threshold.

This means that, on average, an additional monthly income of P2, 122.00 is needed by a poor family with five members in order to move out of poverty in the first sem of 2018. (PSA-Aklan) cal and calibration laboratories distinguished for quality, proficient services and ultimate customer convenience.

Of the 47 current members, four laboratories are based in Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. The rest are in the Philippines.(DOST6/JRAGabiota)