KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte attended the Aklanon’s Ten Outstanding Mentor (ATOM) 2023 awarding on January 21 at the ABL Sports and Cultural Complex, Capitol Site, Kalibo, Aklan.
Vice President Duterte, who was the guest of honor and keynote speaker of the said event, lauded and recognized the important and enormous work and passion of the 10 outstanding mentors in public education sector in the province of Aklan.
“This is the community’s validation of the greatness of what you have done and what you have been doing for the children of Aklan. This recognition may have come unexpectedly and this attention may be too much but the significance of this recognition encompasses our personal choices or reluctance,” Vice-President Duterte said in her speech.
The DepED chief also noted that "such recognition brings to life the importance of how small acts of heroism, the selfless and dignified performance of duties as public servants,
the compassion for others especially for the sick and the poor and the children, and the undying faith and dedication to your vocation and profession creates an impact to enkindle the love for the country."
“Our ten outstanding mentor awardees are here, leading the way and showing us how to become efficient in what we do, teaching us how to creatively, resourcefully, effectively lay down the best practices and examples that we all can emulate in our professions and our daily lives,” said Duterte, adding that the 10 outstanding mentors are success stories of resiliency, dedication, of sacrifices and professionalism.
The ATOM awardees for this year are
Ruel Mia II of Rosal Elementary School (District of Libacao) who topped the ATOM with 93.33 points, followed by Grichelle Pelayo of Solido National High School (District of Nabas) with 93.15 points, Jennyfel Dinglasan of Lezo Integrated School (District of Lezo) with 92.3 points, Hazel Joy Rabe of Kalibo Elementary School (District of Kalibo II) with
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91.31 points, and Eva Berlandino of Makato Integrated School (District of Makato) with 88.44 points.
Other awardees are Frediecel Beltran of Balete Integrated School (District of Balete) with 87.86 points, Arnie Ventura of Kalibo Pilot Elementary School (District of Kalibo I) with 87.54 points, Ruthelyn Yap of Regional Science High School for Region VI (District of Kalibo II) with 86.63 points, Rose Ann Delima and Christina Iradiel of Kalibo Elementary School (District of Kalibo II) with 85.84 points and 85.12 points, respectively.
On top of the P20,000.00 cash prize given to each of the awardees of ATOM, Vice President and DepEd Secretary Duterte added P20,000.00 each to the same winners.
Kalibo mayor Juris Bautista Sucro also gave additional cash prize of P5,000 for each ATOM awardee while DepEdAklan gave Plaques of Recognition.
The ATOM is an initiated of Razon Tumbocon-Haresco Foundation headed by Aklan Second District Rep. Teodorico Haresco, Jr. since 2014 in coordination with the Department of Education-Aklan to recognize the leadership and excellence in teaching profession of public and private school teachers in the province of Aklan. (AAL/SQP/PIA-Aklan)
KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Z. Duterte reminded the teachers to be always kind to their students, as each child is unique.
VP Sara stressed this to the thousands of DepEd-Aklan teachers who flocked to Kalibo to witness the awarding of Aklan’s Ten Outstanding Mentors (ATOM) 2023, January 21, where she was the invited Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker.
“Each child is unique so you have to make an effort to understand the child,” VP Sara told the teachers from the 19 districts of the province, who occupied all the available spaces at the ABL Sports Complex in Kalibo town, the venue of the awarding ceremony.
“Kailangang tayo ang mag-adjust sa kanila lalong-lalo na sa generation ngayon na nakababad sila sa social media at internet (We should be the ones to adjust especially in this generation where they are spending much time on social media and the internet,” VP she said.
She also congratulated the 2023 ATOM awardees, telling them that the recognition bestowed upon them is welldeserved for their passion and hard work, and is the community’s validation for what they have done and what they continue to do for the learners.
As DepEd Secretary, VP Sara also updated the teachers on what she had been doing to help not only the public school teachers but the non-teaching personnel, too.
According to her, she had conducted talks with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) officials and had appealed for the decrease of interest rates in its charges, and had obtained its commitment to provide her with monthly updates on the things needed to be delivered to the teachers and nonteaching personnel. She had talks too with the officials of the Department of Health (DOH), requesting them to provide the teachers with free medical check-ups.
She also informed the teachers amid their loud applause that she is set to seek permission from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for the possible increase of monetary benefits for them and for the non-teaching personnel of DepEd.
Aside from being the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker for the ATOM 2023 Awarding, VP Sara also graced the Ibajay Ati-ati Festival and met with Aklan’s local officials.
The Search for ATOM is a project initiated by Rep. Teodorico Haresco of the the 2nd district of Aklan through the Razon Tumbokon Haresco Foundation Inc., in coordination with the DepEd-Aklan.
The ATOM recognition by the said entities started in 2013. (JBG/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)
KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) The celebration of Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival 2023 was generally peaceful, according to the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO).
Police Colonel Crisaleo Tolentino, provincial director of APPO, said there were no major crime incidents that happened during the entire duration of the festival.
He noted that only minor incidents were recorded such as petty fights, which were easily pacified by the responding police force; and missing children that were immediately found and returned to their parents and guardians.
Tolentino attributed the success of the security coverage of the Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival 2023 to the augmentation and deployment of about 2,500 police officers along with other security personnel from other law enforcement agencies and peacekeeping volunteers.
“Job well done! Talagang hanga ako sa contribution nila, sa effort nila,” PCol. Tolentino said of the Site Task Group Kalibo Atifest 2023, noting their collaboration, coordination, cooperation, and personal commitment led to the successful security coverage.
The Task Group provided extensive operation and strictly manned the entrance and exits of the festival zone areas as well as established checkpoints and chokepoints.
He also acknowledged and lauded the support and cooperation of the public during the festival that resulted to the peaceful and orderly celebration.
Further, Tolentino revealed that police officers that had
done exceptional services in their designated areas of assignment during the Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival 2023 celebration will be given recognition by the APPO in a separate occasion.
On Monday, January 16, some of the augmented police officers returned to their respective original areas of assignment; while others proceeded to Iloilo for Dinagyang Festival 2023 augmentation. (AAL/SQP/PIA Aklan)
KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) Contest winners in various categories of this year’s Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival received bigger cash prizes compared to the amount allotted for them in the past years.
For the first time in the history of the Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival, this year’s grand winner of the Tribal Group Big Category, the Vikings Tribe, received a whopping P1 million in cash prize for besting seven other tribal groups.
The Tribal Group Big Category is the Ati-atihan’s major contest category, which is always provided by organizers with the biggest allocation of cash prizes.
Initially, LGU-Kalibo allocated P350,000.00 for the grand winner of the category, but Mayor Juris Sucro added P650,000.00 from his personal fund to make the prize P1 million.
Other winners in said category include Black Beauty Boys, second prize winner with P300,000.00 cash prize; Maharlika – 3rd prize, P170,000.00;Tribu Linabuanon –4th, P70,000.00; Pride of Libtong – 5th, P60,000.00;Tribu Alibangbang – 6th, P50,000.00; Pangawasan Tribe – 7th, P40,000.00; and Tribu Tiis-tiis - 8th, P30,000.00.
Special awards were also given to the participating tribes under this category with Vikings romping away the Best in Kalibo Ati-Atihan Costume, Best in Beats and Sounds, and Most Disciplined Kalibo Ati-Atihan Group.
On the other hand, the Black Beauty Boys was awarded Best in Kalibo Ati-Atihan Street Dancing.
Each special award has P5,000.00 as cash prize.
The Vikings Tribe, hailing from the town of Makato, was also the top winner in the 2020 Kalibo Ati-Atihan con-
test in the same category.
Other contest categories for this year’s Kalibo Sto. Niño Festival were the Tribal Group Small Category, Modern Tribal Group, and Balik Ati Group, which respectively had corresponding cash prizes and special awards.
A total of 34 tribes from various categories registered to join the 2023 Kalibo Ati-Atihan Contest. (JBG/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)
CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – The Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division welcomed its new Assistant Division Commander (ADC) in an Assumption of Chief of Office Ceremony presided by AFP Visayas Command and 3ID Commander Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo held at Tagapanguna Hall in Camp General Macario Peralta Jr, Jamindan, Capiz on Friday, January 27, 2023.
Brigadier General Marion R Sison succeeded BGen Noel Baluyan, who bowed out from military service last December 2022.
BGen Sison, a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sambisig” Class of 1991, is the current Commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade.
He also held various key positions, including Joint Intelligence Task Force Sulu Commander, Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, G1, and Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G2, Philippine Army.
BGen Sison was also the former 3ID’s Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, G4; Commanding Officer of the 79th Infantry (Masaligan Battalion, and Acting Commandant of the Division Training School. 79IB was adjudged as the Best Infantry Battalion in 2011 and 2012 during BGen Sison’s stint.
Sison underwent a Command and General Staff Course at the AFP Command and General Staff College and holds a master’s degree in Public Management, majoring in Development and Society from the Development Academy of the Philippines in Tagaytay City.
He was a recipient of various awards and decorations from the AFP, both in combat and non-combat accom-
plishments, including Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Star, CGPA Streamer for Major Engagement and Significant Accomplishments, among others.
LtGen Arevalo congratulated BGen Sison for his assumption as Assistant Division Commander. He expressed his confidence in BGen Sison’s vast experience and a stint as 301st Brigade Commander to perform the duties of the Number 2 Man of the 3ID.
“You are not just qualified to be the ADC, but also very much eligible to be the next Division Commander,” LtGen Arevalo said.
The 3ID Commander also encouraged the staff officers of the Division to support BGen Sison and take his guidance and recommendations. (LTC MAGNO M MAPALAD III (INF) GSC PA)
CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – Newly promoted Acting Commander of AFP Visayas Command and 3rd Infantry Division Commander, Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, was accorded military honors upon his arrival on January 27, 2023, at Camp General MacarioB Peralta Jr, Jamindan, Capiz.
Lt.GenArevalo is a proud member of the PMA “BigkisLahi” Class of 1990. In his previous assignment, he was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, J7, AFP; Assistant J8, AFP; Brigade Commander, 303rd Infantry Brigade of 3IDin Negros; Brigade Commander, 301st Infantry Brigade of 3ID in Panay. He was warmly welcomed by Offi-
cers and enlisted personnel of the 3ID.
Gen. Andres C Centino, AFP chief-of-staff, donned Arevalo’s insignia in a ceremony on January 23 at the General Headquarters.
During his stint as 3ID Commander, Lt.GenArevalo made noteworthy accomplishments which resulted in a total of 32,861 combat operations; 64 government-initiated tactical engagements; neutralization of 121 Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs); gained 39 HPFAs, 54 LPFAs and 87 IEDs/ Explosive components; captured of 13 CNTs temporary hideouts, while two (2) soldiers were killed-in-action and 10 wounded-in-action during encounters with the CNTs from September 21, 2021, to December 2022.
In his message, LtGen. Arevalo expressed his sincerest gratitude to all Spearhead Troopers for the welcome congratulations rendered to him as the new Visayas Command Commander and his promotion to Lt Gen.
“Promotion to many is just a blessing, but this promotion that I have experienced is a miracle. It is really a miracle that I was designated as the new Visayas Command Commander at the same time promoted as LtGen,” said LtGen. Arevalo.
One of the legacies of Lt. Gen Arevalo's leadership is inspiring and recognizing every Spearhead Trooper by giving an award. For him, a person who is always appreciated will do more than what is expected. (LTC MAGNO M MAPALAD III (INF) GSC PA)
The Social Security System (SSS) said today it has started implementing the provisions of the Republic Act of RA 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018, which mandated a contribution hike to ensure the financial viability of the state pension fund for private sector workers.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said the law-mandated contribution increase would translate to immediate benefits to the country’s 13 million workers and will ensure the viability of the SSS fund designed to provide them with social security protection.
Enacted on February 7, 2019 by Congress, the Social Security Act of 2018 rationalized and expanded the powers and duties of the Social Security Commission (SSC) to ensure the long-term viability of the SSS. Under the law, SSS should gradually increase the contribution rate by one percentage point every two years until it reaches 15 percent by 2025.
In accordance with the schedule provided under RA 11199, the contribution rate increased to 14 percent from 13 percent in the previous year. Under the new contribution rate, employers will shoulder the one percent increase, which means their contribution will now be at 9.5 percent. The remaining 4.5 percent will be deducted from the employee.
Finance Secretary and SSC Chairperson Benjamin E. Diokno has expressed his support for the new contribution rate saying, “it is the right thing to do for the institution and its members.”
Macasaet said the implementation of the contribution hike would eventually redound in a system that would serve workers better. “The contribution hike will benefit the workers with the SSS being able to provide a financially viable social protection system to Filipino workers and their families,” Macasaet said. “It will not be a burden on workers but will be shouldered by employers. Workers earning less than P25,000 per month, who comprise 78 percent of SSS-paying employee members, will not be affected,” he added.
Macasaet served as President and General Manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) during the Duterte administration and was appointed by President Marcos
to head the SSS last January 5 to replace former SSS PCEO Michael Regino.
At the same time, Macasaet noted that under existing tax laws, employers would be allowed to deduct their share of the contribution hike from their taxable income. “This underscores a whole-of-nation approach in securing the future of our workers with the Philippine government also contributing in the form of tax relief to employers,” Macasaet explained.
The SSS is being urged by employer groups, such as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), and the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PECI), to suspend the implementation of the Social Security Act of 2018 that mandates the one percent increase in SSS contributions starting this month.
The request of the employers’ groups was opposed by SSS officials as postponing the measure would reduce the actuarial life of the fund. The SSS said they gave due consideration to the plight of small employers in past contribution hikes, but ultimately had to act in favor of workers’ interests and the fund’s long-term solvency.
In his statement, Macasaet clarified that employees would not be required to shoulder the addition financial burden that goes with the contribution hike.
“The contribution hike will not be paid by the lowly worker but by financially-stable employers who can afford such adjustments. I am appealing to the PCCI, the ECOP, and the PECI, who we consider our valuable partners in our mission to provide social protection to our workers, to treat the contribution hike not as another operational expense but as a noble investment to ensure the viability of the workers’ pension fund,” Macasaet said.
“We appeal to our friends in big business to help us provide meaningful protection to the members of the working class and their families against the hazards of disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death, and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden,” he added. “A socially protected working class is our best recipe for continued industrial peace in our country.” (
AMIEL GENOVA/SSS)Why do many people from all walks of life, Aklanons or not, from near and far, flock to Kalibo and other towns in the province every January of the year? Why don’t they mind spending a lot of money just to prance along Kalibo streets, shouting “Hala Bira” and “Viva Kay Sr. Sto. Niño" at the top of their lungs, never minding the hot sun or the drizzling rain?
Whether you ask Ati-atihan tribe members, the Balikbayans, the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), or an elderly lady who is now in the company of her grandchildren –most of them will tell you that it’s because of their “Panaad” to the Sr. Sto. Niño.
“Panaad” is a Visayan term which could mean many things. In Aklan, it could mean a vow, a pledge, a pact, or a promise to come back to Kalibo, again and again on the third week of January yearly to pay homage to the Child Jesus.
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