Volume 5, Issue no 5

Volume V

KALIBO, AKLAN, (PIA) – The Bureau of Fire Protection-Kalibo has linedup activities in observance of Fire Prevention Month this March.

The series of activities set by BFPKalibo are anchored with this year’s theme “Buhay at Ari-arian ay Pahalagahan, Ibayong Pag-iingat sa Sunog ay sa Sariling Pamamahay Simulan.”

“The focus of the celebration, as the theme suggests, will be on the value of fire avoidance and prevention in the household level,” Fire Inspector Donnie Torre of BFP-Kalibo said.

BFP here kicked off the celebration with motorcade from Kalibo to Banga on Monday, March 1 and five-minute blowing of horns of fire trucks at 6:00am – 6:05am to spread awareness of the necessity of fire prevention.

On March 2, a motorcade was also done from Kalibo to Mabilo with blowing

KALIBO, Aklan, (PIA6) -- For a business to prosper, one must have love and commitment, according to Lezo, Aklan mayor Mary Lenette Fernandez.

She also called on her constituents planning to engage in business to venture into something they are good at, instead of choosing one just because it is earning big for the moment.

Mayor Fernandez issued this call to her constituents in Lezo who attended the recent Negosyo Encounter in the municipality as a follow-up activity of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) –Aklan after the establishment of the Negosyo Center there.

The Negosyo Encounter in Lezo, spearheaded by DTI-Aklan under OIC Provincial Director Ma. Carmen Iturralde, was attended by 75 participants, a mix of existing and potential entrepreneurs in the municipality who were assisted and counseled by various partner agencies of the DTI like the BIR, DAR, DENR, DOLE, PhilFIDA, PIA, TESDA, Provincial Governor’s Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturists, Land Bank of the Philippines, PHILEXPORT,

Issue 05

of horns at 12:00 to 12:05 pm.

According to Fire Inspector Torre, the bureau will continue to conduct its routine activities such as the distribution of fire safety tips flyers in fire prone areas, thorough inspection of boarding houses, commercial and residential establishments.

Throughout the month, BFP will spearhead fire safety drills and hold fire safety lectures to different schools and establishments here in Kalibo.

“With emphasis in the residential level, our fire officers will also conduct house to house information drive to make family members be aware of the fire safety measures,” Torre added.

Meanwhile, Torre revealed that from January to March 2 this year, BFPKalibo has recorded zero fire incidents.

(JCM/SQP/PIA6 AKlan)

and Small Business Corporation.

Other assisting partners included Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Pina MANTRA, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, TRIKE ESolutions, and Athena Business Solutions.

At the “Encounter”, participants were briefed on the programs and services of partner agencies. Aspiring and existing entrepreneurs also availed of a one-on-one consultation with the agencies on areas such as access to finance, access to market, business enabling, and productivity and efficiency.

Lezo town is a popular producer of Ampao or rice crispies, unique potteries, clay bricks for buildings, other food delicacies, and fiber and fiber products.

Besides Lezo, other established Negosyo Centers in Aklan are in Kalibo, Ibajay, Altavas and Numancia.

Soon to be established Negosyo Centers in the province are in Makato, Libacao, Malinao and Malay.

Malay’s Negosyo Center, according to DTI-Aklan, will be placed in Boracay Island. (VGV PIA6 Aklan)

March 1 - 15, 2017

We Make Change for Women. "Serbisyo Para kay Juana". A day of pampering women as Aklan celebrates Women's Day with the free services of dental check up, free haircut, manicure, pedicure and therapeutic massage. Healthcare services such as pneumonia vaccine, PAP smear and blood services by the PRCross at the ABL Sports Complex. (PIA)

The number of livestock in Aklandecreased by 3 percent as of January 1, 2017 based on the latest data of the Philippine Statistics Authority-Aklan.

Report from PSA-Aklan showed that the province’ inventory of livestock as of the reference period recorded at 163, 365 heads lower by 4, 677 compared to 168, 042 heads as of January 1, 2016.

Of this number, hogs registered the highest inventory of 110, 529 heads, followed by cattle with 24, 409 heads, carabao with 20, 332 heads, and goat with 8, 095 heads.

Except for goat that showed a positive growth of 9 percent(or 638 heads), the rest of the animals went down from its previous inventory: carabao with 7 percent or 1, 456 heads, cattle with 3 percent or 712 heads, and hogs with 3 percent or 3, 147 heads.

On the other hand, inventory of poultry, comprising of chicken and ducks, as of January 1, 2017 was estimated at 960, 852 heads, an increase of 160, 644 heads compared to the same period last year with 800, 208 heads.

Chicken inventory comprised 94 percent (or 905, 301 heads) of the total Continued on page… 03

PIA AKLAN BALITA

Vol. No. V Issue No. 05

The local government units of Makato, Libacao, Malinao, and Malay already set with DTI the schedule of Negosyo Center launching in their respective municipalities.

Launching of Negosyo Center Makato is scheduled on March 8, Libacao on March 16, Malinao on April 20, and Malay on May 18. These are in addition to the 5 existing Negosyo Centers in the province located in Kalibo (at DTI - Aklan), Ibajay, Altavas, Numancia, and Lezo.

This project is made possible in partnership with the local government units through the Local Chief Executives.

Part of the LGU’s commitment is the provision of office space and a staff to assist in manning the Negosyo Center.

Series of trainings and MSME development activities such as skills trainings, entrepreneurship seminars, marketing and promotion, financing forum, and product development will be implemented this year in new and existing Negosyo Centers to develop and empower the local entrepreneurs.

For the year 2016, a total of 6,016 clients availed of the business registration and/or business advisory services of the Negosyo Centers. A total of 108

business information and advocacy activities and trainings were conducted with 2,448 participants.

With the emergence of more Negosyo Centers in Aklan, programs and services of the government are made closer to the local entrepreneurs, thus a more vibrant business sector is expected to flourish in the province. DTI is inviting all aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to avail of these services through the Negosyo Centers. (DTI-Aklan)

Faster price increase in most of consumer goods in Aklan pushed the province’ inflation by 2.0 percent in February based on the records of the Philippine Statistics Authority-Aklan.

Inflation went up by 1.3 percent over last month’s index and 0.2 percent a year ago.

The last time inflation notched up at this level was in November 2014 with 2.8 percent.

The rapid increasewas primarily brought by higher annual rates of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (6.3 percent), Furnishings, Household Equipment, and House Maintenance (4.8 percent), Transport (3.1 percent), Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (2.2 percent), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas (HWEG) and other Fuels (1.9 percent), Recreation and Culture (1.9 percent), Clothing and Footwear (1.1 percent), and Restaurants and Miscellaneous Goods and Services (0.6 percent), On a monthly basis, consumer prices in Aklan generally picked up by 0.1 percent, which is the same rate recorded in the previous month.

Faster increments were observed in HWEG and Other Fuels (0.2%), Cloth-

ing and Footwear (0.2%), Furnishings, Household Equipment, and House Maintenance (0.1%), and Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (0.1%).

The other commodity groups have retained its previous month’s rates except for Transport, and Food and NonAlcoholic Beverages which dropped to 0.5 and 0.1 percent, respectively.

The decrease in price index across heavily-weighted food items is attributed to slower price movement observed in fish (-0.7%), sugar and related products (-0.7%), food products NEC such as salt and spices (-0.4%), oils and fats (-0.4%), meat (-0.1%), and other cereals, flour and related products(-0.1).

However, higher price adjustments were noted invegetables (1.2%), rice (0.1%), non-alcoholic beverages (0.1%), milk, cheese and eggs (0.1%), and bread and cereals (0.1%).

According to Provincial Statistics Officer AntonetCatubuan inflation rate is the annual rate of change or the year -on-year change in consumer price index (CPI).

CPI, on the other hand, is an indicator of the change in the average retail

A Negosyo Encounter was conducted on February 28 at the Covered Court, Poblacion, Lezo, Aklan. The activity included a brief orientation on the programs and services of the partner agencies such as national government agencies, provincial and municipal LGUs, financing institutions, industry groups, and business development service providers. Aspiring and existing entrepreneurs availed of a one-on-one consultation with these agencies on areas such as access to finance, access to market, business

PAGE 02

Figure 1: L-R Mayor Mary Lenette Fernandez of LGU Lezo , DTI Aklan OIC Provincial Director Ma. Carmen Iturraldeand Mr. Guidon Dela Cruz, CoChair of Aklan Provincial Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Council. (DTI-Aklan)

enabling, and productivity and efficiency.

Honorable Mayor Mary Lenette Fernandez of Lezo welcomed the participants and guests. She also expressed her full support to the entrepreneurs. DTI-Aklan OIC Provincial Director Ma. Carmen Iturralde, on the other hand, provided the overview of the Negosyo Encounter.

Among the partner agencies/offices present were: BIR, DAR, DENR, DOLE, DTI, PhilFIDA, PIA, TESDA, Provincial Governor’s Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Provincial Planning and Development Office, Business Permits and Licensing Office – Lezo, Landbank of the Philippines, Small Business Corporation, PHILEXPORT, Hugod Aklanon Producers Association , Piña MANTRA, PCCI, TRIKE E-Solutions, and Athena Business Solutions.

Seventy-five (75) existing and potential entrepreneurs were assisted during the Negosyo Encounter, and twenty-one (21) new entrepreneurs’ applications for business name registration were processed through the Mobile Business Name Registration (BNR) of DTI. To further support the entrepreneurs in Lezo specifically the nito industry, a skills training on nito craft will be conducted on March 2-8, 2017 at Negosyo Center Lezo, Municipal Hall, Lezo DTI enjoins the MSMEs in Lezo to participate in its skills trainings through the Negosyo Center Lezo and avail of the services provided to further improve their capability and productivity. (DTI-Aklan) prices of a fixed basket of goods and services commonly purchased by the households relative to a base year.

(PSA-Aklan)

PIA AKLAN BALITA

Vol. No. V Issue No. 05

Producing quality statistics is not only the concern of Philippine Statistics Authority-Aklan but the health of younger kids as well.

To enhance the nutritional status of younger children, PSA-Aklan employees held recently series of feeding programs in six daycare centers.

These centers are located in Brgy.

Carugdog and Cogon in Lezo, Brgy.

Calimbajan and Tina in Makato, Brgy.

Tambak in New Washington, and Brgy. Cabugao in Altavas.

About 90 daycare pupils were fed with nutritious meals prepared by employees.

Provincial Statistics Officer AntonetCatubuan said that the feeding program is also a way of giving back to the community for the usual support and cooperation of the public in every survey undertaken by PSA. "Such commitment strengthens our linkage and community relations which are essential in promoting the mission of the agency to produce quality statistical data and effective civil registration program," PSO Catubuan said.

On the said feeding program, a forum was held to inform parents about civil registration matters and let them understand its importance.

They were also taught on the correct procedure in correcting several defects in the civil registry documents such as birth certificate and the requirements need to be complied.

PSO Catubuan assured that such outreach program will be sustained by PSA to further bring the government service closer to the people. (PSAAklan)

KALIBO, Aklan, (PIA6) -- How can you tell if a woman is empowered?

She has always a ready smile.

This description of an empowered woman came from Jindra Linda Demeterio, an active president of the Provincial Council of Women in Aklan after retiring as Department of Agriculture 6 Regional Executive Director years ago.

Demeterio, a native of Batan, Aklan, was one of the three dynamic and accomplished women who figured in the “Women Inspiring Women” panel, one of the features of Aklan’s launching activity for the 2017 Women’s Month celebration held March 8 at the ABL Sports Complex, Kalibo, Aklan dubbed “Serbisyo Para Kay Juana”.

The two others in the panel were Ma. Teresa C. Valencia, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Aklan and the first woman ever to lead DAR’s provincial office, and Gabrielle V. CalizoQuimpo, former Vice Governor of the province of Aklan.

“An empowered woman is joyful and looks at the brighter side of things, while an unsmiling woman is not yet empowered”, Demeterio told the womendominated crowd composing the audience, coming from various national, provincial and municipal offices, barangays, and from other sectors during the opening program.

Demeterio said the women have come a long way and a potent force, but there is still a need for more women par-

Aklanlivestock…

From page 01 inventory, while duck consists of 6 percent (or 55, 551 heads).

Both chicken and duck inventories moved up by 20 percent and 14 percent, respectively According to Provincial Statistics Officer AntonetCatubuanthe inventory of animal population refers to the actual number of domesticated animals present in the farm at a specific reference date.

She said that the data were derived from the Backyard and Commercial Livestock and Poultry Surveys (BLPS/ CLPS), conducted quarterly to deterhttp://aboutmyrecovery.com/domestic-violence-andmine the performance of the livestock abuse-against-women/ and poultry industry. (PSA/PIA

PAGE 03

Women’s month activities in Aklan. Ms. Jesebel Vidal (right), Aklan Gender and Development focal person talks about the different activities set by the Aklan Provincial Government for the whole month of March in connection with the Women’s Month Celebration in the province, during the PIA Aklan’s Kapihan sa RMN-Kalibo, anchored by Ms. Venus G. Villanueva (left). (SQP/PIA AKlan)

ticipation in the present scenario in our country.

She cited as an example the Congress and the Cabinet where there are more men than women, the number very far from the 50-50 ratio of men and women representations in the three branches of government.

Demeterio emphasized that there is a need for women to organize, and that women are crucial to progress.

“In agriculture, women are invisible farmers, they provide half of the farm labor, but they are unpaid”, she told the audience.

Women from the provinces, or “promdis”, are important keys to food security and poverty reduction.

Worldwide, she said half of the food supply is produced by women.

Taking off from this year’s Women’s Month theme “ We Make Change Work for Women”, Demeterio said women make change, but the change must be for the better.

“Let us make a choice, make a stand, speak our views and speak our minds”, she said.

Meanwhile, the opening activity for Aklan’s Women’s Month Celebration was dubbed “Serbisyo Para Kay Juana” as after the opening program, the rest of the day was spent pampering Aklan women who came for free haircut, manicure, pedicure, therapeutic massage, dental check-up, free pap smear, free pneumonia vaccine, and free information and answers to queries and concerns from key national and provincial offices, facilitated by the Provincial Government, the Aklan Gender and Development Commission and the Provincial Plann ing an d Developmen t O ffice. (JCMVGV PIA6 Aklan)