Vol v, issue no 8

Volume V

Issue 08

April 16—30, 2017

KALIBO, Aklan, (PIA6) -- What happens when a quantum cruise ship carrying from 4,000 to 5,000 tourists docks in Boracay Island?

This will open up limitless opportunities for Aklan entrepreneurs producing gifts, processed food, and souvenir items, according to Aklan governor Florencio T. Miraflores, a scenario he shared with guests, visitors and participants during the opening of the 19th Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival here, one of the major activities in celebration of Aklan’s 61st anniversary as a separate province from Capiz.

The governor’s vision of a huge cruise ship docking in the vicinity of Boracay Island followed after his announcement of the launching of the arrival of the Vice President of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd. to talk about the building of the cruise company’s homeport in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan – the jump-off point to Boracay Island.

“Imagine the huge food requirement of these tourists. This is an opportunity for all of you to take advantage of. They will buy your indigenous products as long as they can come here,” the governor said to participating Aklan Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) displaying their various products at the Provincial Trade Hall.

With the possibility of a cruise hub in Aklan, Miraflores said the “fly and cruise” scheme could be introduced to tourists – with foreign tourists, the Chines for instance, being flown from China, ferried to Caticlan and Boracay Island, and then riding a cruise ship where they could be taken to different tourist destinations in the Philippines.

This scheme, said the governor, is practiced already in Puerto Rico with cruise ships cruising to Miami, Florida, U.S.A. and then around the Caribbean.

The governor expressed confidence in the success of this set-up, with Aklan having two airports – the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) in Kalibo, the capital town of Aklan, and Caticlan Airport in Caticlan, Malay Aklan, both catering to international flights.

The Chinese tourists have dominated foreign arrivals in Boracay for the first two months in the first quarter of 2017, and South Koreans a very close second who topped the list of foreign arrivals in March.

With these limitless opportunities, the governor called on Aklanons, especially the MSMEs, for the continued honing of their skills and abilities in improving Aklan products, including packaging.

The Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival was joined this year by 77 MSMEs selling indigenous fibers and crafts, gifts, housewares and furnishings, processed food, health and wellness products and garden plants.

Aklan’s 17 municipalities also displayed their respective agriculture and aquaculture products with emphasis on the “One Town, One Product” or OTOP program. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

KALIBO, Aklan, (PIA6) -- Six outstanding municipal treasurers of the province of Aklan and 17 outstanding real property taxpayers for year 2016 were recently honored by the Provincial Government in a fitting awarding ceremony at the Provincial Capitol Lobby here as one of the major highlights of Continued on page… 02 Aklan’s celebration of its 61st anniver-

sary as a province.

Also honored in the ceremony, which was graced by Aklan provincial officials led by Governor Florencio T. Miraflores and Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo, were Hall of Fame Awardees composed of taxpayers and one municipal treas urer.

Continued on page… 04

Aklan’s Outstanding Teacher. ATOM 2017 awardee Alejandro Arca, Jr. (most right) shakes hand with Razon Tumbocon-Haresco Foundation Head Teodorico Haresco, Jr. during the awarding ceremony of Search for Aklan’s Ten Outstanding Mentors 2017 at ABL Sports Complex, Kalibo, Aklan. Also in the picture are (LR) Aklan Schools Superintendent Dr. Jesse Gomez; ViceGovernor Reynaldo Quimpo; and Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores . (SQP/PIA Aklan)

KALIBO, AKLAN, (PIA) – The Department of Education Division of Aklan recently awarded the Aklan’s Ten Outstanding Mentors (ATOM) for the year 2017.

ATOM, which began in 2014, is a yearly recognition given by the DepEd in partnership with Razon TumboconHaresco Foundation to public and private secondary and elementary school teachers in the province who performed exemplary and dedicated service and leadership in teaching profession.

This year’s ATOM awardees consist of six female and four male elementary and secondary teachers from the seven school districts in Aklan.

Named ATOM awardees from District of Kalibo I were: Rosalie Rabara, Master Teacher I of Pook Elementay School; and Maricel Salazar, Master Teacher II of Kalibo Pilot Elementary School.

From District II, the awardees were: Armi Joy Gonzales, Master Teacher I of Kalibo Integrated Special Education Center; Grace Nabiong, Master Teacher II of Kalibo Elementary School; and Alejandro Arca, Jr., Master Teacher I of Regional Science High School for Region VI. Also in the list were Sharon Gungon, Master Teacher III of New Washington

PIA AKLAN BALITA

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Vol. No. V Issue No. 08

KALIBO, Aklan, (PIA6) -This year’s Aklan Pina and Fiber Festival, now on its 19th year and one of the major activities of Aklan’s celebration as a separate province from Capiz, is targeting to generate P5.250 in sales.

The Pina and Fiber fest is currently ongoing at the Provincial Trade Hall, Capitol Grounds and will be displaying an array of locally-produced products from pina cloth and wearables, gifts and housewares, processed food, health and wellness, bakery products, and more.

The exhibit, as in the past, is mounted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here with the support fof the Provincial Government of Aklan, Hugod Aklanon Producers Association Inc., Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority and Aklan Pina and Indigenous Fibers Manufacturers and Traders Inc. This year’s exhibit is anchored on the theme “Greening Local Products Towards Competitiveness” to emphasize showcase of products that are environment-friendly, such as natural dyed abaca and pina fabrics, mood lamps

made of scrap woods and coco shells, virgin coconut oil and many others.

DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Ma. Carmen Iturralde said that “greening”, like practicing the use of natural and plant based dyes will help make Aklan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) competivitive.

Producing “green” products by using “green” processes, according to Iturralde, also makes MSMEs resilient to Climate Change.

Green processes also reduces pollution contributing to environment protection.

This year, 77 MSMEs and LGUs are participating in the trade fair.

The 17 LGUs will be showcasing up to April 26 their respective OTOPs (One Town, One Product) in their respective booths and will be subjected to a search for the Best Booth Contest initiated by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) with corresponding prizes. Aklan became a separate province from Capiz through RA 1414 signed by then President Ramon Magsaysay on April 25, 1956. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

KALIBO, AKLAN, (PIA) – The prov9:00am; ince of Aklan will be commemorating its  Rescuelympics at the Aklan 61st anniversary on April 25, with this Sports Complex, Barangay Cayear’s theme,” Aklan: Soaring Towards langcang, Makato, Aklan, from Greater Opportunities.”

April 20-21; Celebrating the milestone as an inde Awarding of Outstanding Taxpendent province since 1956, a series of payers and Municipal Treasurers month-long activities had been lined-up at the Provincial Capitol Lobby, by the provincial government here.

April 21 at 1:00pm; On April 25, the main event will com Orientation Seminar on Farm mence with a Thanksgiving Mass at Tourism: Cultivating Inclusive 6:30am at the Kalibo Cathedral; to be Growth Through Agri-tourism in followed by a Civic and Military Parade AKlan at Nenette’s Garden, April at 7:30 am from Kalibo Patrana Park to 21, 8:00am to 5:00pm; Godofredo P. Ramos Park, which will be  Aklan Fiber Festival 2017, Garparticipated in by the different 17 local den Show; Agri-Aqua and Tourgovernment units, schools, public and ism Trade Fair, Talibong Festiprivate offices, socio-civic and nonval, and Tsibugan sa Kapitolyo, government organizations in the provfrom April 21 – 26; ince.  Provincial Employees Night/ On the same day at 9:00 am, wreath Awarding PGA Inter-Department laying /floral offerings and flag-raising Sportsfest 2017 Winners at the ceremonies will take place at the GodofGoding Ramos Park on April 21 redo Ramos Park. at 6:00 pm It will be followed by a commemora Aklan Festivals Showcase at tive program at ABL Sports and CulABL Sports Complex, April 24 tural Center with Senator Paolo Befrom 8:00am to 12:00pm; nigno “Bam” A. Aquino as a guest  Dog Show at ABL Sports Comspreaker. plex on April 24 at 2:00pm; and Other activities that had been lined “Anyag” A Fashion Collective and up to highlight the significance of this Fireworks Display in front of year’s Aklan Day celebration are the Provincial Capitol Building on following.

April 24 at 6:00pm to 10:00pm.  Legislative Quiz Bee at the ABL Every year, April 25 is declared as Sports Complex, April 20 at ‘Aklan Day’ by virtue of Republic Act

KALIBO, AKLAN, (PIA) – The Philippine Statistics Authority here is conducting series of surveys this April with the assurance of respondents’ privacy of data.

According to PSA-Aklan Information Officer Peter S. Mangilog, four surveys are being conducted this month of April, namely: Labor Force Survey (LFS); Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI); Backyard/Livestock Production Survey (BLPS); and Palay and Corn Production Survey (PCPS); Mangilog explained that LFS is a survey that is being conducted to generate data on employment rate of the province, and it aims to provide quantitative framework for the preparations of plans and formulation of policies affecting the labor market.

Of the 45,000 nationwide sample households, 196 are from Aklan, which distributed in 24 barangays or enumeration areas.

Also in this survey, the use of tablet in data collection was introduced in the province; which according to PSA here, could improve the efficiency of field operations, and provide timely and accurate statistics.

ASPBI is used in constructing naContinued on page… 03

DepEd Aklan…

From page 01 Elementary School, District of New Washington; Randy Bagac, Master Teacher I of Sta. Cruz Elementary School, District of Ibajay West; and Juim Jimlan, Master Teacher III of Tangalan National High School (District of Tangalan).

Awardee from District of Makato was Joel Dela Cruz, Teacher II of Makato Integrated School; while from District of Banga was Baby Rose Ricaforte, Master Teacher II of Aguinaldo T. Repiedad, Sr. Integrated School.

Based on the criteria, the aforesaid winners were judge based on academic performance, interview and demonstration teaching; leadership in the community; recognition and awards received; performance rating and initiatives; innovations and best practices; attitude towards work, supervisors, and peers.

The 2017 ATOM awardees received each a plaque of recognition and P20, 000.00 from Razon-Tumbocon Haresco Foundation. (JCM/SQP/PIA Aklan) No. 1414 signed by then President Ramon Magsaysay on April 25, 1956, and considered as a special nonworking holiday in the province. (JCM/SQP/PIAAklan)

PIA AKLAN BALITA

Vol. No. V Issue No. 08

KALIBO, Aklan, (PIA6) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) here committed 100 skills training slots for Aklan’s Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

TESDA – Aklan Provincial Director Julius Jamero gave this commitment during the Culminating Activity/ Graduation of the One Year Training on Commercial Arts undertaken by Aklan’s 25 PWDs that TESDA funded through the coordination of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and PWDs Provincial Association of Aklan headed by Zaldy Paderes, President.

In the presence of Aklan Governor Florencio T. Miraflores, Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo and former Congresswoman, Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo and SP member Jay Tejada who also graced the culminating activity and display of the Aklanon PWDs' artworks at the lobby of the Provincial Capitol Building, Jamero disclosed that TESDA has allotted P13 million training fund for 2017 and part of this could be availed of by Aklan PWDs. He told the PWDs association to identify what skills training or qualification they wanted to pursue in order to get National Certifications (NC) so that TESDA could recommend them to ap-

PSA-Aklan holds…

From page 02 tional and regional income accounts, and determining regional economic structures and performance. 139 business firms in the province are being used as samples, out of the 29,637 nationwide samples.

PSA-Aklan is also urging sample establishments to use online questionnaires in accomplishing survey form to intensify data collection and hasten the processing and release of survey results.

The BLPS and PCPS, on the other hand, are being conducted to determine/ measure the performance of the livestock and poultry industry; and to generate estimates and forecasts of palay/ corn area, production and yield of Aklan, respectively.

Meanwhile, in a press release, Provincial Statistics Officer Antonet B. Catubuan of PSA-Aklan urged respondents to give truthful and complete answers to field data collectors and assured respondents that the data to be provided will be treated with utmost confidentiality and cannot be used for taxation, investigation or for other law enforcement purposed. Catubuan also stressed that whoever breached the confidentiality of information, whether by carelessness or improper behavior, will be liable as pro-

propriate schools.

Jamero said the PWDs could undergo training in batches composed of 25 members.

Jamero also lauded the PWDs for undergoing the training on Commercial Arts under Mario Perucho, an Aklanon artist, and told them that TESDA will be getting from the group of recentlytrained/graduated artists 2 teams to represent the province of Aklan in their Mural Painting Contest in Iloilo slated April 24 to 25, 2017.

For his part, Governor Miraflores thanked the PSWDO of Aklan and art trainer Mario Perucho for coming up with the activity that honed the artistic skills of Aklanon PWDs, assuring them at the same time of the continued support of the provincial government for the sector.

Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo, on the other hand, assured the PWDs association that the Aklan SP Committee on Senior Citizens and PWDs is strict in reviewing the budgets of Aklan municipalities to make sure that there are allocations for PWDs and Senior Citizens.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Jay Tejada, Committee Chair of Senior Citizens and PWDs, meanwhile, reminded the PWDs to obtain identification cards because the cards come with booklets which they could use to get discounts for their medicines and groceries.

Guest speaker of the culminating activity was Fidel M. Sarmiento, President of the Art Association of the Philippines, who, prior to the culminating program, provided demonstration lessons on drawing/painting on various mediums like illustration boards, sandpaper and canvass using color pastels, sponge and paints. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

The Philippine Statistics AuthorityAklan urged establishments selected as samples for this year’s Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI) to use online questionnaire in accomplishing survey form.

ASPBI is a nationwide establishment -based survey that will start this April.

According to Provincial Statistics Officer Antonet B. Catubuan, the use of web-based questionnaire aims to intensify the data collection and hasten the processing and release of survey results.

“We are using this technology to furvided by Section 27 of RA 10625 or the Philippine Statistics Act of 2013; and Section 7 of RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and ethical Standards of Public Officials and employees. (SQP/PIAAklan)

PAGE 03

KALIBO, Aklan, (PIA6) -- Aklan has sufficient rice supply, according to the National Food Authority (NFA) here.

This assurance came from NFAAklan Provincial Manager Josephine Venus Castillo, who, in a recent interview in a local radio station here, said Aklan is a rice-surplus province and there are no problems as to current inventory of the food staple in Aklan.

Castillo also clarified that the NFA’s role as far as palay procurement is concerned, is on price-support function as the agency cannot control farmers if they wish to sell their produce to private rice traders who are offering higher palay prices.

The NFA, however, as in the past, is appealing to farmers to sell them part of their produce which will serve as palay buffer stock of the province to be stored at the government warehouse.

As of now, Castillo said NFA-Aklan has a total of 14,422 bags of rice in its warehouse.

Castillo also shared that in case of rice shortage in Aklan due to calamities, the depot warehouse of NFA-Capiz could also provide because this province is also a rice-surplus one.

Meanwhile, in a recent meeting of the Aklan Public Information Officers Association here, NFA-Aklan, through Christine Pinuela, Information OfficerDesignate, called on local government units in Aklan to have their Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the food agency renewed this year so that in case of calamities, these municipalities could readily retrieve or source NFA rice for their constituents. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

ther encourage our respondents to support the survey because every data they provide is essential in generating statistics for our economy,” Catubuan said.

Theweb-based questionnaire can be accessed by sample firms at https:// aspbi.psa.gov.ph using their email address and assigned Establishment Control Number (ECN). A one-time registration is required for first time users.

PSA, however, clarified that those who prefer to accomplish questionnaire using pen and paper may still do so through the survey form given to them.

The ASPBI is one of the designated statistical activities of the PSA, which covers the formal sector of the economy like corporations and partnerships, coContinued on page… 04

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Vol. No. V Issue No. 08

PAGE 04

Aklan's outstanding…

From page 01 operatives and foundations, single proprietorship with branches, and single establishment with employment of 10 or more.

Data collected from the survey will provide information on the levels, structure, performance and trends of economic activities of the economy.

It will also serve as benchmark information in the measurement and comparison of national and regional economic growth.

Of the 29, 637 nationwide samples, 139 business firms were taken as samples in Aklan spread in three broad industry groups--- agriculture, industry, and services.

Among the information asked in the survey consist of number of workers, income, expenses, total assets, capital participation, and inventories.

PSA told respondents not to worry in providing this data as their response will be treated with utmost confidentiality as provided for by law. (PSA-Aklan)

Aklan's outstanding…

From page 01 Most prominent among the names of outstanding real property taxpayers from local government units was Governor Miraflores himself of Ibajay, his hometown. The rest were composed of other individuals/families, corporations, resorts and a government bank.

Cited Hall of Famers-taxpayers included Panay Power Corporation from New Washington, Aklan; Anita Rescate, Lezo, Aklan, and Panay Power Corporation in Nabas, Aklan.

On the other hand, Dediosa Diosa, municipal treasurer of the municipality of Malay where Boracay Island is, was the lone Hall of Fame AwardeeMunicipal Category.

For 2016, topping the list of outstanding municipal treasurer was Rey Villaruel of Kalibo, Aklan; Levi F. Colindres of Batan, who ranked 2nd; Nida Melgarejo, Altavas, 3rd; Amy de Chino, Madalag, 4th; Edna Tindan, Buruanga, 5th; and Froilan Redison, Banga, 6th.

Members of the Revenue Generation Task Force, composed of Philippine National Police (PNP) Officers, composed of PSupt. Salvador e. Dagoon, Jr., SPO4 Greg F. Ginoy, SPO2 Armand Ibea, PO3 Mitchito S. Salladfor, PO3 Roberto J. Gonzales and SPO1 Clemente Magtanum were also honored during the activity.

Kalibo Municipal Treasurer Rey Villaruel, who ranked first among the list of 6 outstanding municipal treasurers, said in a radio interview here that the awarding/honoring of outstanding municipal treasurers aimed to recognize efforts of the the treasurers in support-

MANILA, (PIA6) - - - Ro daywang domingo nga Balikatan joint military execercise sa tunga ku Estados Unidos ag ku Armed Forces of the Philippines okun AFP hay pormal eon nga gin lutsar sa Camp Aguinaldo, ro pahayag ni Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella.

Ro Balikatan hay maga sentro para improbaron ro atong kapasidad sa humanitarian assistance ag disaster relief (HADR) kamana man sa operasyon kontra terorismo.

Ro environmental hazards hay naka sueod eon makaron sa isyu it national security. Ro Balikatan 2017 hay sangka ehersisyo para ma pahagan-hagan ro mga possible nga kasamaran dae it kalamidad natural man o obra it tawo, suno kay Abella. (JSC/JERRamos/PIA6 Aklan) ing LGUs in realizing their envisioned tax collection targets.

If there are no tax collected, Villaruel said the LGUs will experience problems, but if there are big collections, this means services delivered by the government to the people.(JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

DAVAO CITY, (PIA6) –-- Gin inspeksyon ni Pangueong Rodrigo Duterte ro Navy Flagship Destroyer Changchun it China nga naka dungka sa Sasa Port sa syudad it Davao ku Mayo 1, 2017 ag naghambae nga basi daya eon ro umpisa ku manami nga kooperasyon naton sa Chinese military eabi eon gid kontra sa pamirata.

Ro Changchun hay sambilog sa tatlo ka mga Barko it Chinese Navy nga nag abot sa Davao.

Sa sangka interview, gin dayaw ku Presidente ro Warship it China ag gin hambae nana nga matsa hotel kuno.

“Malimpyo ag puro carpet sa sueod nga ma-ikomparar naton sa sangka hotel” hambae it Presidente.

Sa kutana ku nga mga katapo it Media kung raya nga pagbisita hay mangin umpisa ku padayon nga kooperasyon ag goodwill naton sa Chinese Military, nagsabat si Duterte nga, “hoo, kaparte eon ra ku confidence building ag goodwill ag para pamatud-an nga kita hay mag aeamigo.”

Suno pa sa Pangueo, gina welcome gid nana ro mga Barko it China ag imaw mismo ro nag imbita kara.

Sa parehas nga kahigayunan, ro Presidente naghambae man nga gasugot imaw sa sangka joint military exercises kaibahan ro China sa Mindanao ag basi idto ra sa kadagatan it Sulu. (JSC/JERRamos/PIA6 Aklan)