Negros resort scouts for spa investors

By Jeehan V. Fernandez

MURCIA, Negros Occidental – The Mambukal Resort in Brgy. Minoyan here is scouting for prospective investors to transform the nature’s healing benefits of hot spring and clay into a booming spa business.

“We are looking for investors to develop the spas. The provincial government can only do so much. Thus, we are waiting for the investors to come in and venture on spas,” said resort manager Ellen Vasquez.

Meanwhile, Department of Tourism (DOT-6) regional director Edwin Trompeta has endorsed the establishment of the proposed spa projects in Mambukal by private developers.

He explained: “The government alone cannot do it. It is not a joke to operate a spa.”

“Spa is a very profitable business as it promotes wellness. People nowadays are very conscious about getting a massage – it seems like everybody is looking for that – as well as detox and facials, among other spa services,” said Trompeta.

“It is the new trend. Boracay is already host to at least four international spas,” Trompeta said.

Mambukal Resort is a potential spa haven even as it boasts of the Ishiwata Bathhouse which is equipped with five dipping rooms with highly-pressurized hot and cold sulfur spring water, three dipping rooms for women and four for men, shower and dressing rooms.

The Ishiwata Bathhouse was first built in 1927 and named after its developer, Japanese engineer Kokichi Paul Ishiwata.

It was restored sometime in 2002 when Governor Joseph Marañon took over the Capitol’s administration.

Mambukal is run by the provincial government’s Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) which includes income-generating projects for the province like Pana-ad Festival, food terminals, hospitals and tourism.

Mambukal offers kiddie and adult swimming pools, picnic huts, wall climbing, slide for life, canopy walk, boating lagoon, butterfly garden, cottages, tourist lodges, dormitory, conference hall, catering and transport services.

Situated in a jungle setting, tourists can trek to the seven falls hidden inside a thick forest which is a haven for bats.

“According to the visitors, the clay is good for their skins,” Vasquez told The Daily Guardian, adding they have yet to subject the clay to a test for its healing benefits.

Mambukal’s distinct multi-colored clays (gray, red, orange, grayish yellow and black) which are abundant in the area were highlighted during the 11th Mudpack Festival last week.

Mudpack is a unique event as it centers on the harmony of man and nature to stir people’s awareness of the importance of the environment.

The celebration is a festival of arts which serves as avenue where artists from all over Negros gather to exhibit their respective artistic talents in ethnic dances, crafts and music.

The festivities sprang from the 1986 EDSA Revolution when Mambukal Resort was in disarray – while people were scared to go up – and their spirits were really low.

Artists Rudy Reveche and Louie Dormido and their friends trooped to Mambukal to enjoy the place and started playing with the multi-colored clays creating souvenir items.

A foreign tourist then took interest in their artworks and encouraged them to make more.

Mambukal’s local artist Cris Garzon and members of the Art Association of Bacolod (AAB) have pledged their support and more artists were enticed to join – they would meet once a year in Mambukal and showcase their individual talents.

When NIDCORP (Negros International Development Corp.) managed Mambukal in 1996, they started celebrating what has been known as the Mudpack Festival.

Since then, the Negros Occidental provincial government has taken the initiative to support the celebration, developed more activities and integrated the relevance of the protection of the environment.

Cerge Remonde photos

IMG_0707 - Sec. Cerge Remonde savoring local food at the Bakhawan Eco Park, ASec. Butch Cunio also from PMS and Mayor Raymar Rebaldo in Yellow Shirt standing behind

IMG_0717 - Posterity Pose with the Program Director, Advertising Director and the CBIS Ka-Tribu Radio Hot FM personalities, reporters and staff

"General Circulation-no Copyrights from LGU Kalibo" (photos by Terence Toriano)

from our partners

CARTOONS is the first and only editorial cartoon comic book in the country.

This months edition tackles the root causes of our educational crises.

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from the readers

Tama ta si Mr. Prado, just answer the question yes or no, kun pasado
matuod sa Board of Physician rayang
Doctor nga sa tunga it contoversy.

Seattle Guy
--------------------------------------------
Aklanon man ra says "Wow, tough words Mr. Prado ... but what can you do personally about it? Talk?! Yeah, right ... Easy for you to do that, you're in Vancouver"

Natural all we can do is to just talk about it! Aeang-aeang mat-a nga mag hipos eat a kita sa naga kahitabo sa Aklan. Ano ro aton nga obrahon? Mag palakpak maskin gina-uto-uto kita? Dapat naton nga isipon nga indi puede mag daog sa election eabi gid sa Aklan ro owa it kuwarta maskin may sincere nga handom para sa Aklan. Ngani ro ma-obra eang namon hay ipahisayod sa mga aklanon nga dahil sa pag pili nanda it mga opisyales nga nagbakae it andang boto hay owa man it mayad nga serbisyo nga igabalik sa mga aklanon.

To aklanon man ra, sabta na lang ro request it mga blogger, sabta it deretso ro pangotana - fake o real ro license ni Dr.(!) Viray!? Kon tunay ro ana nga licence di tapos ro istorya!!!

anonymous

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Dapat ba manahimik na lang si Mr. Prado dahil nasa Canada siya at huwag nang maki-alam sa nangyayaring katiwalian sa Aklan? Pero tama naman ang mga sinulat niya! Sagutin mo na lang ang isyu, fake ba ang result ng licensure examination ng pamangkin ni Joeben na si Dr (?) Viray? Yes or no lang naman 'yan. Sabata eang ro pangotana, hinugay eon pag mueaya ro naga hambae it matood. Sabat eon...fake o bokon?
anonymous
--------------------------------------------------

Wow, tough words Mr. Prado ... but what can you do personally about it? Talk?! Yeah, right ... Easy for you to do that, you're in Vancouver.

Aklanon Man Ra...

-------------------------------------

Antonio Viray III is the nephew of Congressman Joeben Miraflores and was appointed by Governor Carlito Marquez. They are both political partymates. What a corrupt duo! What other anomalies have these two corrupt politicians, partners in crime, bestowed on the hardworking people of Aklan.

The new SP with the newly elected members opposing this corrupt duo should make this the first issue of business. They should be both investigated and be kicked out of the goverment service.

This issue should also be raised with the ombudsman and with the Civil Service Commission. Especially the fact that this has been going on since 2004.

What were they thinking? Since they are both Congressman and Governor, that they are above the law and they could do anything illegal that they want to the good people of Aklan? You are both supposed to serve the people of Aklan, not betray them. All appointees of these two not-distinguished gentlemen should now be revisited and their qualifications verified. They should also be checked if they are the really qualified ones or if they have the position because they are relatives of these two corrupt morons.

Kalolooy ro Aklan.

Sincerely,

Noel Prado
Vancouver,
BCCanada

----------------------------------
This could be a vendetta of the losing party, giving hint on relevant information to the media. Standby folks, there may be more of this to come from both sides.It could be good for the province ...

anonymous

Happy birthday!!!

Birthday greetings to Aklan Rep. Florencio 'Joeben' Miraflores on his birthday July 1, 2007

from the management

P50M New Kalibo Airport Terminal Building to rise soon

Kalibo, Aklan – It was the mother of all news that Sec. Cerge Remonde, Director General of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), has brought to the Kalibonhons just as he exited a Philippine Airlines flight and generously allowed an interview with the members of the Aklan media this June 28, 2007 at around 10:30 AM.

Sec. Remonde revealed that 50 million has been realigned by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to be placed for the construction of the New Kalibo Airport Terminal suited for international flights along with the news from Asian Spirit that there will be six flights a week this coming July with no less than a hundred passengers per flight from Incheon, South Korea.

One of the PMS Regional Staff informed that the new terminal will be up to international standards including a retractable tunnel-like passageway for passengers relieving them of the burden of ascending or descending a ladder and be protected from the heat of the sun all the way into the terminal where they may proceed for processing.

In his speech during the Inauguration of the Newly Elected Officials of Kalibo and the Blessing of the Municipal Building on the same day, he took note of Cong. Joeben Miraflores’ request for another 30 million for the expansion of the Kalibo Airport’s runway and promises to bring the proposal to the President herself who have been supportive in the development of tourism in the Province of Aklan. Terence Toriano.

PRC: Hospital chief faked test result

By Jonathan Cabrera & Noel Cabobos
KALIBO, Aklan—A chief of district hospital here is in hot water for allegedly faking the result of his licensure examination which led him to head three district hospitals here since 2004.Antonio Viray III, currently the chief of Ibajay District Hospital, remains elusive to the media since the issue came out.Viray also headed the Malay District Hospital in Oct. 2004 to Sept. 2006 and Buruanga District Hospital from Sept. 2006 to March 2007.
Records obtained by The Daily Guardian show that Viray, who claimed to have passed the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) Board of Medicine Physician Licensure Examination taken in Aug. 2001, actually failed the said exam.

The exam result he submitted to the Office of the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) of the Aklan Provincial Capitol was allegedly faked.

HRMO chief Ellen Tolentino said they were not able to verify Viray’s documents with the PRC ever since the latter was appointed by Gov. Carlito Marquez.

The Civil Service Commission has a standard requirement to all government agencies to first verify with the PRC the licenses of professionals submitted to their office.

FAKE RESULT

The issue hugged the limelight when a copy of Viray’s purported examination result was furnished The Daily Guardian and RMN-dyKR. The Guardian and RMN-dyKR wrote the PRC requesting verification of Viray’s exam result.

In a certification issued by PRC records division chief Elma Francisco, she confirmed that the result submitted by Viray to the HRMO was fake.Francisco said that based on the PRC records of the August 2001 Board of Medicine Physician Licensure Examination, Viray only got a 70.50 mark which means he failed the said exam.

RESIGNED

Gov. Marquez said there’s nothing to investigate Viray already told him he had resigned effective June 1. But HRMO records show that Viray was on vacation leave from May 28 to June 15, this year.

Aklan provincial employees get pay hike too

Kalibo, Aklan –Aklan’s Provincial Capitol employees will enjoy a 10% pay hike too this July.

This, after members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan here, in their 19th regular session, unanimously approved Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez’ request for augmentation of appropriation in the annual budget of different offices for Personnel Services Savings in order to grant a 10% salary increase of the provincial employees.

The granting of the 10% salary increase was authorized by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo through Executive Order No. 611 authorizing compensation adjustments to government personnel.

Government employees had their last salary adjustment in 2001, or more than five years ago, notwithstanding periodic wage adjustments granted to the private sector and the continuous rise in the prices of basic commodities.

Through Executive Order No. 611, military and uniformed personnel under the DILG, Coast Guards and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority are also granted P30 per day increase in their subsistence allowance and a P120 per month increase in their hazard pay effective July 1, 2007.

The 10% salary increase covers civilian officials and employees of national government agencies including state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, Government finanacial institutions and local government units which are covered by the Compensation and Position Classification system under RA 6758.

Employees under the Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) of the province will also receive 10% increase in their salaries.

Besides approving the 10% pay hike of Provincial Capitol employees, the Aklan SP also approved many enactments/ordinances of the different municipalities as well as their several resolutions/requests for supplemental budget.

The SP session held June 27 was the last one presided by outgoing Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino.

Next week, a new set of provincial legislators will have their first session, composed of some reelected members and newly-elected ones in the May 2007 elections. It will be presided by newly-elected Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo. (PIA/Venus g. Villanueva)

Milk, other canned goods prices up in Aklan, others remain stable

Kalibo, Aklan—Prices of some milk products and other canned goods have increased in the wetmarket and some supermarkets here in Kalibo.

The increase in prices of these canned goods is contained in the Monthly Price Monitoring Report of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here, copies of which had been furnished to DTI higher offices, the Office of the Provincial Govenor here, Congressional District Office, other concerned government agencies and various print, radio and cable television stations in Aklan.

Based on the latest DTI monthly monitoring report, items were found to have increased in prices in both the wet market and at supermarkets here.

These items include Alaska Condensed Filled Milk 300 ml., which had a 7.13% increase in price in the wet market while at supermarkets it had a 7.14% increase; Alaskas Evaporated Filled Milk 370 ml., - 7.02% increase in wet market, 7.03% price increase at supermarkets; Alaska Powdered Filled Milk 180 g., 7.14% price increase in wet market, 9.62% at supermarkets; Bear Brand Powdered Filled Milk 150 g., 13.87% increase in wet market, 10% increase at supermarkets; Nido Full Cream Powdered Filled Milk 150 g., 9.53% in wet market, 9.59% at supermarkets.

Other goods that increased in prices in the wet market include Gusto Meat Loaf 150 g., which increased its price by 7.41%; CDO Corned Beef, 150 g., 17.50%; Purefoods Corned Beef 150 g.,10% and Rufina Patis 325 ml., 5.07%.

At supermarkets, other items that had price increases included Maling Luncheon Meat 397 g., 5.21% and Merit Writing Notebooks 90 leaves (Bond Paper), 5.97%.

The DTI report included a table for comparison of item’s prices. For example, Alaska Condensed Filled Milk 300 ml. which had a price increase of 7.13% in the wet market, is sold now at P42.85 while last month, it could be bought for P40.00. At supermarkets, the same item is now sold at P42.75 but last month it only cost P39.50.

According to the DTI here headed by Provincial Director Ermelinda P. Pollentes, the above-mentioned items had significant increase in prices due to higher purchase cost.

The DTI here assured however, that supply of other commodities monitored is sufficient with prices remaining stable. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Marquez: Let’s buckle down to work

By Noel R. Cabobos

KALIBO, Aklan – Re-elected governor Carlito Marquez urged elected officials here to start working for a progressive and economically stable province.

“Now is the time to buckle down to work in harmony with everybody regardless of political affiliation so that we can dedicate our time and sincere efforts to achieve our common goal for the province of Aklan,” Marquez said before a jam-packed crowd gathered at the ABL Sports Complex Monday during the mass oath-taking ceremonies of elected officials here.

Marquez, who is enjoying his second term of office after a landslide victory over his three female opponents in the May 14 elections, also welcomed the victory of three opposition board members saying, “I am confident that the election of other political personalities outside the dominant local party as will by our people is an indication of a genuine democracy.”

Similar to the 2004 elections, the dominant Tibyog party got the majority seats in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan against the opposition group which got only four seats.

Rodson Mayor, retired police colonel Nemesio Neron, Ramon Gelito, and re-elected board member Daisy Briones are part of the minority.

The majority seats are held mostly by re-electionist board members under Tibyog Party, Pedro Garcia, Gerick Templonuevo, Selwyn Ibarreta, Plaridel Morania, and Jose Yap Jose.

Board members and Jean Rodriquez of Tibyog are the only first-timers of the majority group.

TWIN THRUST

In his inaugural address Monday, Marquez said he will continue to focus on his “twin priorities” of tourism and agricultural development.

“Rightly so because these couple of program focus will always have the multiplier and domino effect on the other sectors of development — economic, social and infrastructure development,” he said, stressing “we still don’t see any urgent deviation from these priorities, although preservation and enhancement of the environment should always go hand in hand with these program sectors.”

P10.2-BILLION INDUSTRY

During his inaugural address the other day graced by Cong. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo of the 5th District of Negros Occidental, Marquez reported an upbeat accomplishment by transforming the Aklan tourism industry into a P10.2-billion industry in terms of tourism receipts annually with tourist arrivals hitting the more than half-a-million mark as of last year.

“By 2010, we project one million visitors coming to Aklan, especially that our Kalibo airport has just turned international with flights direct from South Korea,” he said.

Iggy brings P50-M good news for Aklan

By Noel R. Cabobos

KALIBO, Aklan – First Gentleman’s brother and re-elected congressman of the 5th District of Negros Occidental Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo was harbinger of good news to Aklanons as he announced Monday that the already approved P50-M is up for release by Malacañang for the expansion of the Kalibo airport.

Arroyo was here as guest speaker and inducting officer of the mass oath-taking ceremonies at the jam-packed ABL Sports Complex at the Capitol here the other day.

He swore into office his fellow re-elected congressman Florencio Miraflores, re-elected Aklan governor Carlito Marquez, Vice Gov. Gabrielle Calizo, board members-elect and elected officials of 7 towns out of the 17 municipalities in the province.

In a news conference held after the ceremony, Arroyo hailed the cooperative governance of Miraflores and Marquez which he said was the factor for the approval of the amount.

“I will personally help Cong. Miraflores to lobby before the Budget Management for the speedy release of this amount so we can fasttrack the development and wider expansion of the Kalibo airport,” he said.

The Kalibo airport boasts of having the first international commercial flight in the Western Visayas region which began May 12 this year. Flights direct from South Korea landed at the Kalibo airport with the installation of the state-of-the-art instrument landing system and latest expansion.

Medical Tips

(from the blogsite's official pediatrician)

Energy Drink and Alcohol

A particularly dangerous trend among young people is brewing. Many of them are drinking combination of “energy drink” and alcohol.

Alcohol has a depressant effect that causes fatigue which slows down the amount of drinking. But a partygoer or bar patron who consumes “energy drink” high in caffeine will stay awake longer. This is combination is potentially dangerous.

Some of the “energy drink” contains as much 150 to 280 mg of caffeine which is more than the caffeine of brewed coffee which is 107 mg and drip coffee 145 mg.

Reference: Contemporary Pediatrics, May 2007, page 65

Dr. Leo Leonidas

Bangor, Maine

www.brilliantbaby.com

(Dr. Leonidas is the husband of Thelma Leonidas of Lezo, Aklan and advocates making babies a smart child in the US)

Barangay polls in ’07 has supporting law – DILG

Kalibo, Aklan -- Since the holding of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on October 2007 has a supporting law, elections should push through, according to Department of Interior and Local Government-Aklan Assistant Provincial Director Marina Ricaforte.

In supporting this view, APD Ricaforte is citing Republic Act No. 9340, which was enacted on September 22, 2005 and stipulates the resetting of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

“In fact, I believe all barangays, as directed by the DILG, has set aside a portion of their budget to be used for the coming elections,” Ricaforte said.

For their part, some barangay captains in Kalibo said they favor the holding of barangay elections this year.

Poblacion Kalibo Barangay Captain Peter Jene Lao said he favors the holding of the barangay elections to give others who are also capable to lead the barangay a chance to lead and serve, effect beneficial changes and initiate other developmental programs and services for the constituents, even as he can cite that his best accomplishments are the completion of the three-storey barangay hall, one of the tallest hall in the country; the procurement of a motorcycle patrol, maintenance of a rescue truck and instituting a solid waste management program together with the SK.

Lao also said new SK chairmen should be elected as some incumbent ones are already overaged for the position.

On the other hand, Andagao Barangay Captain Ronce Reyes said he favors a change in leadership in his barangay so other developmental projects could be introduced, or at least complete what he has started in Andagao – the concreting of most barangay roads which he cites are 75% completed, and the lighting of streets of the barangay.

Both Barangay Captains Lao and Reyes confirmed that their respective councils have already a reserved fund for the coming barangay polls.

Republic Act 9340 states that the subsequent synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections after the initial one held on July 15, 2002 is rescheduled on the last Monday of October 2007 and every three (3) years thereafter.

The term of office then of said officials elected in the October 2007 election and subsequent elections shall commence at noon of November 30 next following their election.

Section 8 provides that the amount necessary for the implementation of this law shall be taken from the appropriations of the Commission on Elections under the General appropriations Act and/or supplementary appropriations thereafter. In addition, the savings of the COMELEC not exceeding Php300 million shall be used to augment said appropriations.

On the part of the Department of Budget and Management, Secretary Andaya assured that some P2 billion has been reserved for the election of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials. “It is in the budget so wala tayong problema kung idadaos talaga yung eleksyon…Nakatabi na po …P2 billion for that electoral exercise…” Andaya said. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

from the readers

sad over absence of news updates

Hello,

Are we all out smelling the flowers? Others have move forward. Your last entry is 10:02pm Tuesday, 19 June 2007.

I thought you are to improve the number of news daily. We seem to be facing backwards.

Regards,
Elmar

(from the editor: We are sorry for the inconvenience sir but the editor went to Metro Manila for a short vacation. However, we are glad to inform you that the management are studying the possibility of utilizing the youtube resources soon for a more informative and reliable news in and out of Aklan. Thanks again)

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Please support our fellow Aklanon

HI Guys !

We need your votes / support for Miss Rachel de Mariano Ofori by logging on @ this website:http://www.fourpointsmagazine.com & from there just follow the instructions.

Okay? Thanks a lot my friends for supporting / voting my niece Rachel.

(Rachel has been selected as one of the TOP FIVE Finalist for the "Fourpoints Magazine" for the next Cover Model for their August - September issue. Please HELP Rachel WIN by VOTING her on the line.)

As Always,

Ne Syder Aguirre Leacock

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Boracay is still dirty!

TO support our claim that Boracay is a dirty place and not good for tourists anymore, we are quoting here two columns from national papers, viz:

1) Philippine Star, June 18, 2007 issue, in the column “As a Matter of Fact” by Sara Soliven de Guzman, par 9 and 10:

“How can you call Boracay a ‘world-class tourist destination’ when its airport is too small, cramping all the travelers in one hot and SMELLY (emphasis ours) room?” - (par 9);
“For heaven’s sake even the Port Area in Boracay is nakakahiya. Pathetic! No order, no system, not clean and very SMELLY (emphasis ours). This is what you get for electing people who are NOT EDUCATED NOR CULTURED (emphasis ours) – their standards are so low”. (par 9);

2) Manila Bulletin, June 19, 2007 issue, in the column “Chaff from the Grain” by Hector Villanueva, entitled “The decline of Boracay”, par 3:

“The place itself (Boracay), sad to say, has become a Divisoria market of sorts, overcrowded, segregated, expensive, unsanitary, waterless and subjected to frequent power outages.”

Di ba nakakahiya!!!!????

anonymous

Rise in Aklan dengue cases in first quarter noted, less cases in 2Q

Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan had more dengue cases in the first quarter of 2007 compared with the same period last year, according to Dr. Maria Magpusao, Chief of the Technical Services Division of the Provincial Health Office here.

Dr. Magpusao said that last year’s dengue cases during the first quarter numbered 4, but this year 2007 for the same period, the cases reached 25.

Fortunately, Dr. Magpusao said there was no dengue casualty for that period.

For the month of May, Dr. Magpusao said 7 cases were listed by the Provincial Health Office while as of this time, 5 had been recorded for the month of June. No cases were recorded for the month of April.

Dr. Magpusao said that dengue is a self-limiting disease that could be avoided by increasing one’s body resistance through consumption of fruits and other resistance-building foods; having enough rest and maintaining healthy habits. The 4 o’clock habit, that of cleaning one’s surroundings and clearing and destroying possible breeding places of mosquitoes, according to her, must also be practiced by everyone.

The Department of Health is reiterating its advice to local officials that the cleaning of surroundings should be done every six months to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes that spread diseases like malaria and dengue.

A health issue that also needs immediate attention is the 6.8 percent increase in dengue cases in the country. The current dengue fever situation has become “hyper-endemic”, which means that efforts to reduce the number of cases to its previous level are no longer feasible. This is because all four strains of the dengue-causing virus are active and are being spread by the mosquito aedes aegypti at the same time, unlike last year when only one strain of the virus was being spread. Since a person only gains immunity from one strain of the virus, as potential agents of the infection, a person can become ill with dengue four times.

.

Global warming is contributing to the surge of dengue cases because warmer temperatures make mosquitoes hungrier for blood and therefore bite people more often. Blood makes the mosquito lay eggs more othen thus resulting to an increase in the mosquito population. More eggs laid results in more mosquitoes being born which grow into more carriers of the deadly dengue virus strains.

The public is advised to strictly observe the following anti-dengue measures: seek and destroy mosquito breeding places, self-protection, and seek medical treatment immediately.

The DOH has ordered hospitals to reactivate their Dengue Express Lanes. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Unity the best and fastest way to serve the people – Iggy Arroyo

Kalibo, Aklan -- The best and fastest way to serve the people and give them a better life is by having unity, according to Congressman Iggy T. Arroyo of the 5^th District of Negros Occidental.

Arroyo issued this statement as Guest of Honor in the Oath-taking of Provincial and Municipal Officials of Aklan at the ABL Sports Complex here today, led by reelected Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores and reelected Governor Carlito S. Marquez.

The oathtaking was witnessed by the families of elected officials and the different contingents from the municipalities and national government and provincial heads and employees of Aklan.

Arroyo said unity should be observed not only by the national but by the local leaderships as well, and that unity should be practiced in words, mind, deed and spirit.

“A brighter future must be on top the the leaders’ priorities,” Arroyo stressed.

In the same occasion, Arroyo announced that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has authorized the release of P50 million for the construction of a new terminal building at the Kalibo Airport, as the President is now prioritizing the development of the airport.

The Kalibo Airport, since May, has received direct international flights from South Korea courtesy of the Asian Spirit Airline.

According to Congressman Miraflores, the Asian Spirit, with initial direct flights from South Korea to Kalibo three times a week, will have daily flights for the route starting July of this year.

In his keynote speech, Congressman Arroyo assured Aklan Congressman Miraflores that he (Arroyo) will support any bills sponsored by the Aklan solon if vital legislative measures are needed so people will not be deprived of benefits. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

REPAIR OF AKELCO’S SUBMARINE CABLE OVER

Lovell Gepte-Juliano

Lezo, Aklan- The actual repair of AKELCO’s damaged submarine cable is over.

“The operations of the submarine cable is back to normal. the AKELCO Construction team and the contractor were able to finish the repair works right on schedule. Last June 16, it has already implanted one meter deep and 100 meters away from the shore of Brgy. Manoc-Manoc”. said AKELCO’s Engineering Department OIC Engineer Rogen De los Reyes in relation to the repair of the submarine cable damaged by a docking barge sometime in February this year.

According to Engr. Delos Reyes, AKELCO spent over P 4 M for the repair of two cables that are being used to provide power to the island.

Meanwhile, AKELCO is calling for a speedy review of the Municipal Ordinance that allows docking of large vessels in the area where major power and water installation is located. AKELCO’s letter requesting for the review is now lodge in Municipal Committee on Ordinances of the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay. Continuous docking in the area will result to damage of said vital installation and this will badly affect the supply of power to Boracay island, the province prime tourist destination.

“Kalibo Cable & PanTelco’s fiber optic is connected to submarine cable, they will also be affected if the same incident occurs again.” added Engr. Delos Reyes.

AKELCO is hopeful that the local government will take speedy action to resolve the matter. Complimenting AKELCO’s request for a review of the municipal ordinance is the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s letter to National, top Provincial and Municipal officials requesting for a speedy action on the matter as power is vital to tourism industry.

In reply to the letter, incoming Vice-Governor Gabrielle Calizo also assures that this problem will be addressed upon her assumption to office this July.

Libacao at GMA-7

Dateline LIBACAO
By: Alex E.Dionela


Libacao at GMA 7


It is said that Libacao is considered the repository of Aklan’s ethnic culture whose practices and traditions had been spared from undue influence of modern civilization. A cultural heritage that began during the pre-colonial period was delicately handed down from one generation to another and still being religiously observed by the inhabitants of the upland barangays of this town and their neighboring areas which are part of the provinces of Antique, Capiz and Iloilo.
These upland people that continue to practice their ethnic lifestyles are now called “Indigenous People” whose communities are being supervised and assisted by the National Commission on Indigenous People, (NCIP) in order to promote their general welfare and ensuring that their individual and collective rights and privileges are being upheld and protected. The most important of which is the granting by the government of ancestral domain to these indigenous people of the land they till and occupy in recognition to their inherent right over these lands that had been occupied by their ancestors for centuries.
The reason for having preserved this ethnic culture is Libacao’s strategic location and the mountainous terrain of its upland areas that for a very long time had been denied access to transportation and communication, its far distance to the lowlands particularly Kalibo, the center of trade and commerce and the seat of civil government in the past. Added to this, is the abundance of traditional farm and forest products that were easily available to them thus, enabling them an economically stable and prosperous life and finds no compelling reason of going down to the lowlands. This therefore had enabled them to preserve their ethnic culture and traditions which is distinct from the rest and subsequently the gradual formation of a “closed community” of Libacaonons.
This ethnic culture which could probably be found only in this part of the country was Libacao’s “come on” attraction to national television program, specifically the “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” a popular tv show of GMA 7, whose segment crew came over to document the traditional ethnic “hongaw” marriage which was subsequently aired nation-wide on June 16th.
.”Hongaw” is a local dialect which means a pre-arranged marriage of the groom and bride’s parents with the concurrence of close relatives of both parties. Most often the bride ages only from 12-15 years old. This marriage arrangement is being made without necessarily the knowledge and consent of the future spouses because the parents enter into this contract agreement when these children are still on their early ages. And in keeping with their cherished tradition the marriage parties involved just abide by the decision of their elders. The marriage rite called “hongaw” is being presided over by the tribal head followed by a sumptuous banquet, the drinking of native wine, dancing of ethnic dances and merry making.

Aklan government workers welcome next month’s pay hike

Kalibo, Aklan --Government workers here in Aklan are happy that they will be getting increases in their salaries effective July of this year.

Most of them said here that the increase will go a long way and would help much in their daily expenses considering the continuous rise in the prices of basic commodities.

Through President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Executive Order No. 611 authorizing compensation adjustments to government personnel, government workers are assured of getting a ten percent (10%) increase over their basic monthly salaries as of June 30, 2007. These workers are civilian government personnel whose positions are covered by the Compensation and Position Classification system under RA No. 6758, as amended effective July 1, 2007.

Civilian government personnel include officials and employees of National Government Agencies including State Colleges and Universities, Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations, Government Financial Institutions and Local Government Units.

Military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and all uniformed personnel under the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Coast Guard, and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority will also be granted a Thirty Pesos (P30) per day increase in their subsistence allowance and a One Hundred Twenty Pesos (P120) per month increase in their hazard pay effective July 1, 2007.

Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., whose office, the Department of Budget and Management, had been directed to implement the pay hike, said P10.3 billion is already reserved in this year’s budget for the salary increase.

Andaya pointed out that this is the first-ever increase in the salary of government workers since 2001.

The subsistence allowance of the military and uniformed personnel, on the other hand, was last adjusted in 1998, while the hazard pay has remained at P120/month since its last initial grant in 1987.

Andaya said this is just the start, because after President Arroyo delivers her State of the Nation Address (SONA), they are planning to file a bill which will “overhaul our compensation system, Salary Standardization Part III, and we are looking at around almost P100 billion till 2010 in the form of salary increases.” (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

News Flash!!!!

View Libacao tonight (June 16, 2007) 8 pm to feature by Jessica Soho TV show at GMA-7 Kapuso. Please pass!!!

Aklan techvoc high school face good prospects this school year

Kalibo, Aklan –A technical and vocational (techvoc) high school here in Aklan is facing good prospects this school year.

The school is Aklan National High School for Arts and Trades (ANHSAT) and presently enjoying a big number of students.

According to Richard Flores, Principal of this public high school located at Andagao, one of Kalibo’s barangays, the surge in enrollment might be due to its being a technical vocational high school, as the trend now is for students to learn livelihood skills early which they could make use of later even if they could not go to college.

ANHSAT is one of Aklan’s five technical vocational schools here and currently being extended priority assistance by the national and provincial governments and non-government organizations (NGOs) here.

Flores mentioned the on-going construction of a one-room concrete classroom under the Principal-Led program and two others soon to begin construction this school year under the same program; the soon-to-be constructed 2-storey 4-classroom building through the office of Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores and the $15,000 fund for the purchase of tools and equipment for the school’s shops.

The Principal-Led program comes with funding direct from the Department of Budget and Management, according to Flores.

ANHSAT, according to Flores, also enjoys a computer facility. It has 21 computer units and multi-media projector from the Office of the President through the Commission on ICT. The units are brand new with gadgets for internet connection.

The Department of Trade and Industry also gave the school 20 computer units while SMART gave two, and from the Rotary Club of Kalibo, 1.

“Because of these computer units, the school will now offer computer subjects to all ANHSAT students from first year to fourth year,” Flores said.

For this school year, ANHSAT is a recipient of 2 teacher items, according to Flores. The provincial government under Governor Carlito S. Marquez has also assured ANHSAT that the province will provide it with four teachers to be paid under the Provincial School Board this school year and pledged four more to be paid under the same program if funds allow.

Meanwhile, DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus revealed that some 650,000 tech-voc jobs are available in the local market, but the vacancies cannot be filled because tech-voc applicants lack the required tech-voc skills.

This is why, according to him, the DepEd made the “bold move” of pushing for technical-vocational education in public high schools. According to DepEd computations, the tech-voc program will require at least P200 billion. This school year, the “re-designed tech-voc” package will get P207 in program funds.

According to DepEd, tech-voc high school graduates starting next year will be getting NC 1, short for national certification on their skills, from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in addition to the usual high school diploma. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

AUSTERE CELEBRATION OF CARP’S 19TH YEAR IN AKLAN SLATED

DAR Regional Director Alexis Arsenal congratulated the Department of Agrarian Reform in Aklan for its austere but meaningful commemoration of the 19th CARP anniversary in Aklan last June 12 at the Aklan State University. Director Arsenal reported that despite the obstacles hurdled by DAR Reg. 6 in implementing CARP at Negros Occidental, the program implementation in Panay island including Aklan remains successful. He also noted that CARP is a very difficult program but one among the noblest that address poverty reduction and aid in jobs generation in the countrysides.

Atty. Daniel Y. Martelino, the Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer- Aklan announced that for the last 19 years of CARP in Aklan, laudable physical infrastructure and other support services were brought to Aklan amounting to over 200 Million pesos in support services to the agrarian reform communities of Aklan. Atty. Martelino stressed the importance of the program to sustain rural development and spur economic growth in Aklan rural communities.

The same program last June 12 also gathered major CARP stakeholders in the province of Aklan. Certificates of Recognition were awarded to the three honor graduates (Cum Laude) of DAR –Aklan through the Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Agrarian Scholars Program. Certificate of Recognition was also given to the Agbalogo Multi-purpose Cooperative, Most Outstanding ARB organization in Aklan.

Meanwhile, the occasion also gave DAR-Aklan the chance to hold its Salamat-Paalam for the retirees and other honorees in the province. Gifts and tokens of appreciation were given to nine former members of the DAR-Aklan family. They include Atty. Carol Morales who will become a Municipal Trial Court Judge in Zamboanga del Sur, Hon. Soviet De la Cruz as Sangguniang Bayan member of Kalibo, Salvador Romano, Luzviminda Teodosio, Angeles Sodusta, Prudencio Inamac, Jerome Refol, Ma. Theresa Legaspi , and Ruth Sayawan who have retired from government service.

Forming part of the CARP month celebration is the turn over of projects worth P10.5 M in Malinao, Aklan. The Bulabod –Rosario Communal Irrigation System (P4.2 M) to serve 150 hectares of riceland in Malinao and the 2.42 km. farm-to-market road in Bulabod to Sugnod worth P6.3 M.

Finally Aklan’s observance of the 19th CARP celebration will culminate with a mangrove reforestation planting at Dumatad, Tangalan of the Bugna ARC in said municipality on June 29 to be participated in by DAR-Aklan employees.

DOST-6 eyes better projects, plans for Boracay

By Maricar M. Calubiran

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 6 was asked to come up with better project plans and programs in Boracay Island to meet the needs and demands of local and foreign tourists in terms of processed food products, furnitures and even environmental protection plans for the island.
The recommendation for the regional office was made by the performance review team led by Prof. Edison Cruz, executive director of the Technology Management Center of the University of the Philippines in Diliman in last week's performance review of DOST regional offices held in Cebu City.
The performance team wants the department to take a look on the food handling, services and distribution of processed foods in the island considering the number of tourists who visited the island. Currently, the local tourists, Koreans and Europeans posted the highest number of visitors in the island.
The team is asking the regional office to determine the number of tourist arrivals including their age and nationality. The data are all available at the Department of Tourism (DoT) office. The DOT has an office in the island to cater to the needs of the local and foreign tourists. The team also asked that data on the tourists preferences on their wants and needs should also be included.
The performance team also wants the department to give importance on the furniture industry in the island with foreigners as the main clients of high-end products coming from the province of Aklan. Among the companies which DOST already made an intervention are those engaged in housewares. The housewares such as place mats and trays are handcrafted from woven into vines.
Other products produced in Aklan are barong tagalog, shawls, scarf, hand bag made of natural fibers like piña, silk and abaca. The DOST made intervention on bangus processing. They made a technology transfer on fish processing that prompted an increase of production capacity of one company producing ready-to-eat bottled milk fish in oil from 500 to 1,000 bottles per month.
The same team also wants the regional office to take part in the protection of the island though it is the primary role of the local government unit and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The waste disposal and the end-waste produce in the island should be considered. There should also be "tsunami mitigation plan" for the island.
On his part, DOST 6 Regional Director Engr. Rowen Gelonga said they have already conceptualized a plan for Boracay. The programs and plans will be out next month. It was not immediately known what are the projects included in the DOST programs and plans for Boracay.
Meanwhile, DoT Regional Director Edwin Trompeta said they have already conducted number of seminars in the island with regard to food handling. Food handling is one of the basis of customers in buying certain products and choosing a restaurant on where to dine and wind.

TOLENTINO’S ROLE ACCOMPLISHED

Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre

Outgoing Vice Governor Atty. Ronquillo Tolentino will leave the Sangguniang Panlalawigan productive with several landmark legislations still needed to be approved as the new SP will take charge in July.

Odon Bandiola, SP secretary said that several landmark legislations were passed and approved by the SP board members during Tolentino’s term. Among them are the passage of the P615 million budgets for the created Enterprise Development Zone, the quarrying and mining ordinance; the one entry one exit in Boracay and the general revision of the real properties act among others.

Many of the landmark legislations were considered controversial as it continue to face strong oppositions from several sectors in the province.

“This were all passed and submitted to provide Aklanons a better economic benefits in the long term, indicating that Tolentino has successfully accomplished his role as the provincial vice governor even only for one term and also for the rest of the provincial board members,” Bandiola said.

Tolentino will have to leave the SP in July after he lost the recent election, the vice governor hope that the SP members will continuously deliberate the remaining legislative landmark in the next SP sessions.

Earlier, Tolentino said that he had already decided to retire from politics.

Among those considered landmark legislations that are still pending in the SP are the passage of the separate codes on environment, tourism and investments.

“These pending legislations when approved by the SP will surely benefits the future of Aklan with better economic returns for every Aklanons in the days to come,” Bandiola said.

The new SP will take over by the newly elected vice governor Billie Calizo this July.

Medical Errors are common ... tips to reduce it.

Patients, as never before, are being asked to be equal partners, if not the drivers, of their health care team.
Your vigilance is expected. Your life may depend on it.
There's a simultaneous, unprecedented push to reduce medical errors. Every year 44,000 to 98,000 die from Medical Errors in the USA hospitals according to the NIH.
Experts suggest that adherence to even simple steps might make a big difference:
· Assemble your health team the way you would pick someone to watch your children or your parents, advises John Senders, director of the new Center for Patient Safety at the University of Miami. "People need to have the attitude of, 'I'm in charge; I own this body and you're the person I hired to take of it.' "

· Make your doctor write legibly. If you can't read your doctor's prescription and are worried someone else might not be able to, tell them to rewrite the order more clearly.

· Ask whether you need a catheter after surgery, particularly if you have one for more than a day, because they raise your risk of getting an infection. Also, request clipping, not shaving, of body hair before surgery. Overly rigorous presurgery shaving raises the risk of infection, experts have found.

· Avoid hospitals in July. That's when new interns typically begin training stints at hospitals, according to the book, "Dr. David Sherer's Hospital Survival Guide, 100 Ways to Make Your Hospital Stay Safe and Comfortable" (Claren; $14.95).

· Get the first morning appointment when a doctor "is fresher and might be more on schedule," suggests Dr. Edward Creagan, a Mayo Clinic cancer specialist and author of "How Not to Be My Patient, A Physician's Secrets for Staying Healthy and Surviving Any Diagnosis," written with science writer Sandra Wendel.

If you have a personal experience of medical errors please send it to me. Please avoid names of patients or hospital. I just want to know the possible medical error. I will be giving a talk at Las Vegas on Medical Errors on July 2 to a group of Physicians. I need more examples.

Thanks,

Leo Leonidas , MD, FAAP
Bangor

www.brilliantbaby.com

Dateline Libacao

By: Alex E.Dionela



A “Big Win” for Mayor Navarosa, et al

The results of the recent 2007 national and local elections in this town may be considered a “big win” for re-elected Mayor Charito Navarosa and his team mates in the local Tibyog Akean Party because of the big vote margin that he got and his running mate incumbent Vice Mayor Ramon Zapata and the overwhelming victory of his candidates in the local sanggunian, except one from the opposition party making it in the “magic 8”, incumbent SB Member Napoleon Navarosa, the mayor’s estrange cousin. This landslide victory is said to be unprecedented in Aklan and in the political history of this town.

Mayor Navarosa garnered 9,227 votes as against the 1,393 votes obtained by his rival incumbent SB Member Edwin Ramos. Vice Mayor Zapata also garnered 8,306 votes as against 1,664 obtained by rival neophyte Nimrod Ruiz.

The winning SB members are; neophyte Aizel Villorente, opposition and incumbent Napoleon Navarosa, incumbents Edwin Ruiz, Felizardo Ilig, Jerome Legaspi, past 3-termer Paterno Turang, Jr., neophyte Arturo Zonio and another incumbent Gualcon Aguila. Incumbent Tarcesio Nervar seeking his re-election bid was the only administration bet that lost in this election.

Mayor Navarosa first ran for mayor in 1998 but lost to former Mayor Roger Esto. He ran again in 2001 and won over Esto with only 3-vote margin. An electoral protest ensued which unseated him before the 2004 election. In that election he won over Esto with more than 800 vote margin. His rival incumbent SB Member Edwin Ramos is a retired police captain and former town police chief who first ran and lost in the local sanggunian in 2001. He ran again in 2004 and won ranking 5th in the race.

Ramon Zapata was a 3-termer SB member who always topped the race in the local sanggunian before he ran and won for Vice Mayor in 2004. His rival Nimrod Ruiz is a law student and married to a Quimpo of Kalibo. He comes from the political families of Ruiz and Perez in this town.

This town has 24 barangays with 72 precincts. It has a total of 14,452 registered voters with 11,138 who actually voted or an equivalent of 77.06 percent voting turn-out.

Votes obtained by provincial level candidates in Libacao are as follows; Congressman: Florencio Miraflores – 6,941, Anthony Acevedo – 958, Governor: Carlito Marquez – 5,189, Mabeth Mobo-Garcia – 2,576, Vicky Ramos – 1,691, Karen Galvan -75; Vice Governor: Bellie Calizo -4,468, Kel Tolentino -3,311; SP Members: Plaridel Morania – 4,904, Nemesio Neron – 3,530, Jean Rodriguez – 3,395, Ernie Sambuang – 2,949, Rodson Mayor – 1,930, Edmund Peralta – 1,877, Franklin Quimpo – 1,874, Sonny Regalado – 1,847, Daisy Briones – 1,770, Mar Salvador – 1,009, Harry Sucgang -977.


Please log on @ www.libacao.gov.ph

request from the readers

Please post the newly elected councilors in Ibajay.

anonymous

Ibajay Councilors

1.) Plaridel M. Solidum, 9696 (votes)
2.) Mabini M. Aseaño, 7765
3.) Ariel M. Alag, 7620
4.) Salvador S. Maagma, 7,388
5.) Victor Manuel M. Garcia – 6725
6.) Beldad S. Tabanar – 6162
7.) Ainor D. Orencio – 6101
8.) Tadeo Belinario - 6054

(source: COMELEC)

for the editor

The Editor:



I believe that the cooperation of the civilian populace is very important in order for the AFP and PNP to effectively conduct their operations against all kinds of lawless elements.

Like what happened in Negros . The people cooperated with our law-enforcers to ensure the successful capture of the NPA members responsible for the recent attrocities in the province.

The support of the Negrenses will help clear the misconception that people are protecting the NPAs. There are still some who are fully aware of what is going on around them. They understand that they are part of the government’s campaign in defending our national security.

The effort I hope, will pave the way for a stronger and more improved relationship between the people, the government and the law-enforcers. I hope that this will serve as a great example to others who continue to align themselves with the terrorists, communists and other lawless organizations. They must wake up to reality that these people are only using them for their own benefit.

I guess this is the perfect time to renew the spirit of oneness among Filipinos. All of us should be united and we must never encourage the NPA and other enemies of the state to use civilians for their security. The people on the other hand should stand firm and fight, if need be, for their own safety.

Let us always remember, “walang manggagamit, kung walang magpapagamit..”


Leo David
Iloilo City

from the Philippine Army

Reds cultivating a culture of violence

The Communist Party of the Philippines through its recruitment agency, the National Democratic Front, is cultivating a culture of violence among the younger generations of Filipinos thus destroying the moral fiber and decent Filipino moral values which make up the character and personality of the Filipinos.

The recruitment of minors to join the New People’s Army is in blatant disregard not only of the rights of the children but also of the peaceful-orientation of these individuals. Should the use of these minors for armed combat be continued by the communists, the future of the country will be dim as it will be characterized by violence and the use of force in any or all of their undertakings. After all, the youth are the future of our nation.

This matter is a very important item for each individual, whether parents, teachers, local officials or the youth themselves should be concerned about. Allowing the communists to corrupt the minds and lives of our youth could lead to the breakdown of our families, the communities and the entire nation.

The majority of the people are either unaware of the seriousness of this development or are simply indifferent to it because their families and communities appear to be unaffected by it as of now. But this is one issue which needs real, honest to goodness and immediate unity of effort among everybody in order to address it, as just like termites, such developments can silently undermine the very core of our way of living in the very near future should we remain apathetic.

“It’s time we get our acts together. If our countrymen are asking themselves what they can do for their country, they can start here, in their families and communities. Watch your children and ensure they stay in school and are not blinded by drugs or by the equally destructive lies of the communists,” Maj. Gen. Jovenal Narcise, Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army said.

Maj. Gen Narcise also calls on the community leaders and the local government to take notice of this development and to find the political will to put an end to this illness in the society.

By any other name, the NPA will smell as bad. The NPA for 36 years has not only been a bitter pill to swallow. The horrendous experiences society has undergone especially in the countryside has made the NPA very popular in notoriety indeed.

For how else can we consider what the NPA is all about but a band of criminals, extortionists, abusers, exploiting minors, killers, hangmen, butchers - - their atrocity list never seem to end.

And for years, the NPA has recruited and organized in the towns and cities and those recruited are trained to become members of the armed component to fight the government. And more than these, in carrying out their terrorist activities, they do so in the guise of the revolution. Calling their fight as the fight for the people.

They have accused the government of escalating campaigns of military suppression against the revolutionary forces and the people; cry out human rights violations against them. They say their rights are violated because their members are kidnapped, tortured and murdered. They say the government is the one carrying out arson, bombardment and bulldozing to force the evacuation of the masses from their homes and farms.

But the question is who is doing all these? Who has been guilty of such human rights violations but they themselves. There are documented evidences of their atrocities. And recently they have liquidated police and military personnel, a mayor and some other political figures who were either ambushed and gunned down. And they have threatened to wage war. CPP leader Jose Maria Sison called on the NPA to rise up to the “challenge” of the all-out war declaration of the Arroyo administration through increased “basic and special operations” including the sabotage of electrical towers and power lines for “economic disruption”. And he cannot deny this. These days he pictures himself as the one demonized and criminalized, in his own words.

Sison further called on his allies in the “legal democratic movement” to intensify militant protests and for the NPA to take advantage of the redeployment of troops by launching offensives when the government shifted its operations against the CPP/NPA.

These statements have brought the CPP-NPA to be categorized as a terrorist group and has now merited international sanctions. This is what they deserve, anyway.

Though it would be productive to resume peace talks with the rebels, it would be impossible at this time since they have initiated stepped-up attacks against the government. “They have drawn blood,” so to speak.

Whatever they will call themselves, the terrorist in them sticks. They have proven time and again that their leaders only want to create an environment conducive to armed revolution, which is an exaggeration.

Terrorism has always been synonymous to their name.

CAPT CROMWELL I DANGANAN
OFFICER IN CHARGE
3RD CIVIL MILITARY OPERATIONS UNIT
PHILIPPINE ARMY
CAMP DELGADO, FORT SAN PEDRO

ILOILO CITY"Supporting the 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army in promoting a lasting Peace and Prosperity in Western and Central Visayas regions""

comments from the readers

Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre wrote:

"Ermelinda Pollentes, Aklan Provincial Director of DTI said that small medium entrepreneurs participated in the said fair netted a total of P3, 105,321.50 in cash sales and booked orders.

'The amount has increased from P3.77 million last year during the first Visayas OTOP held in Cebu City to P3.100 million this year,' Pollentes said."

Either Ms. Pollentes is wrong with her mathematics, or, the writer Mr. Aguirre is wrong. How can P3.1 million be more than P3.77 million? Are you still having election hangover?

Nevertheless, if I am the editor, I will feel embarass for not able to catch such error and identify it as such.

As restitution, the editor should commit to have more daily fresh Aklan news for the next 30 days.

Regards,
Elmar M. Gomez

--------------

Sir Gomez;

Thanks for your positive comment on the article. We view the figure as P3,100 million compared to the P3,077 million earned last year. So this is why we printed P3.100 higher than than the P3.77 million. This website is committed to provide news to all Aklanons worldwide and we have been already doing this for more than two years for free. Again, your comments inspire us to do more and that our efforts is being appreciated worldwide. Mabuhay Akeanon!!!

The editor

--------------

Thanks.Regards,

Elmar

NN, Montenegro Lines forms alliance

Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre

Iloilo City- With the active operation of the Roll-on, Rolff-Off operation or the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) in the country today, two shipping companies the Negros Navigation and the Montenegro Shipping Lines have forged partnership to provide more efficient inter-island routes in the country's islands.

In a signing of agreement held here recently, the two shipping companies partnered in an effort dubbed as 'Alliance.' The ink pact would give traveling passengers to have direct routes via the Panay-Negros-Cuyo Island- Puerto Princesa in Palawan and vice versa.

"We are combining leadership of Montenegro Lines and Negros Navigation through the 'Alliance' allowing each of us to share (our respective) marketing expertise of NN on long routes and the roro expertise of Montenegro," Jose Manuel Mapa executive vice president of the NN said.

Mapa said, both the NN and the Montenegro have come up with three objectives of the said alliance namely, 1.)Establish a strategic nautical highway Roro transport alliance; 2.) combine the strength of NN and expertise of Montenegro; 3.) and provide efficient and better transport system to both passengers and shippers.

Nestor Velasquez, manager of Montenegro Lines Special Projects, said that the tie-up is a big opportunity for both Iloilo and Palawan's trade. "Velasquez said, it will provide better transportation service for the passengers since using their respective vessel (NN and Montenegro) the travelling time from Iloilo to Palawan will now only be cut short to 22 hour ride compared to other shipping companies that usually takes three days to arrive in Palawan.

"This is the start of more cooperative effort between the two shipping companies to link the Philippine archipelago under the nautical highway program of the government," Velasquez added.

In an interview, Jonas Gagajena Panay-area manager of the Negros Navigation said that their company serves as a marketing arm for both NN and Montenegro Lines voyages from Panay-Palawan route and Cuyo Island."

The Alliance is part of the achievement of the NN on its fourthcoming 75th year anniversary in July. We are still finalizing the preparation of our planned activities particularly for Iloilo and Bacolod ports," Gagajena said.

Under the Alliance, the NN aside for serving as a marketing arm of Montenegro their several bureaus in Panay will exclusively sell tickets of Montenegro Lines voyages Iloilo to Palawan and Iloilo to Cebu.

The Montenegro on the other hand, are not obliged to sell the tickets as they will concentrate on their 31-vessels roro operation around the country.For as low as P984 travelers can now take the Iloilo-Puerto Princesa route via Montenegro's M/V Maria Matilde, which departs the Lapuz Pier, Iloilo every Saturday at 10 am.

The NN also sells tickets for Montenegro's Iloilo-Cebu route which departs twice weekly every Monday and Thursday at 6 pm.

While NN's newly-refurbished San Paolo departs Fort San Pedro every Wednesday at 9 am for Coron and Puerto Princesa.

Greetings!

Missing Child

DTI sees fresh brighter hopes for the SME’s

Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre
Boracay Island, Aklan- The Department of Trade and Industry sees fresh and brighter hopes for the upliftment of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SME’s) citing the success of the 2nd Visayas One Town One Product (OTOP) Fair in this resort island recently.

Ermelinda Pollentes, Aklan Provincial Director of DTI said that small medium entrepreneurs participated in the said fair netted a total of P3, 105,321.50 in cash sales and booked orders.

“The amount has increased from P3.77 million last year during the first Visayas OTOP held in Cebu City to P3.100 million this year,” Pollentes said.

Based on the sales figure provided to Business World, the top seller this year was grabbed by the Western Visayas region, which earned a total of P2, 220,450 in cash (booked orders and under negotiations arrangements) followed by Region 7 earned P545, 386 in cash and booked orders and Region 8 which grabbed P339, 485.50 cash, booked orders and under negotiations arrangements.

The Visayas OTOP started last May 23 and ended May 27 here.

Pollentes said, the reason that Western Visayas provinces topped the bulk of orders because majority of the 102 SME’s participated in the affair came from the provinces of the region. Many of them came from the provinces of Aklan, Iloilo and Guimaras province.

Also based on the said figure, Aklan got hold of the biggest number of sales with Yabut’s Pottery of Lezo, Aklan as the topped entrepreneur of OTOP this year.

During the launching of OTOP at La Carmela Resort last May 23 Secretary Cerge Remonde of the Presidential Management Staff and the oversight official for the Development of Micro, SME’s he said that there is still room for micro enterprises to prosper.

“As of February this year, government agencies involved in MSME development have already released P159.8 billion in loans to more than 2.6 million active micro finance clients and SAME accounts, generating to more than 1.5 million jobs,” Remonde said.

Pollentes also attributed the successful operation of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway or the roll-on roll off scheme in Caticlan and in several areas in the country that provides access for a speedy transport of OTOP products in several destinations in the country.

Winners of the May 2007 elections

CONGRESSMAN: MIRAFLORES, Florencio T.

GOVERNOR: MARQUEZ, Carlito S.

VICE-GOVERNOR: CALIZO, Gabrielle V.

S.P. (EAST DIST.)
1NERON, Nemesio P.
2BRIONES, Daisy S.
3MORANIA, Plaridel M.
4MAYOR, Rodson F.
5RODRIGUEZ, Jean O.

S.P. (WEST DIST.)
1IBARRETA, Selwyn C.
2GARCIA, Pedro M.
3YAP, Jose S.
4TEMPLONUEVO, Gerick M.
5GELITO, Ramon S.


ALTAVAS
Mayor: REFOL, Kathryne B.
Vice Mayor: GERVACIO, Guillermo D

BALETE
Mayor: CORDERO, Noemi C.
Vice Mayor: RODRIGUEZ, Rizal Jr., G.

BANGA
Mayor: MAMING, Antonio T.
Vice Mayor: RENTILLO, Melanio Jr., M

BATAN
Mayor: RAMOS, Delfina R.
Vice Mayor: DEMETERIO, Jayner L.

BURUANGA
Mayor: LABINDAO, Quezon F.
Vice Mayor: OBRIQUE, Edwaed

IBAJAY
Mayor: MIRAFLORES, Ma. Lourdes M.
Vice Mayor: SANTAMARIA, Nelson D.

KALIBO
Mayor: REBALDO, Raymar A.
Vice Mayor: TAMBONG, Nilda B.

LEZO
Mayor: FERNANDEZ, Victor L.
Vice Mayor: BUENAFLOR, Philip

LIBACAO
Mayor: NAVAROSA, Charito I.
Vice Mayor: ZAPATA, Ramon S.

MADALAG
Mayor: GUBATINA, Rex T.
Vice Mayor: INOSANTO, Orlando R.

MAKATO
Mayor: LEGASPI, Ramon Jr., S.
Vice Mayor: TAPUZ, Nelson T

MALAY
Mayor: CAWALING, Ceciron S.
Vice Mayor: YAP, Jhon P.

MALINAO
Mayor: ILIO, Dominador Y.
Vice Mayor: IGUBAN, Rosie I.

NABAS
Mayor: DALISAY, Romeo M.
Vice Mayor: SOLANOY, James V.

NEW WASH.
Mayor: PERALTA, Edgar R.
Vice Mayor: VELARDE, Jean T.

NUMANCIA
Mayor: TEMPLONUEVO, Elverita T.
Vice Mayor: IBABAO, Evangeline M.

TANGALAN
Mayor: FUENTES, Gene T.
Vice Mayor: TIROL, Jed A.

(note: we are open for inquiry to check if your friend or relatives won as councilors in the municipal level in the province)

DepEd says school opening in Aklan smooth, orderly

Kalibo, Aklan -- Aklan’s public elementary and national high schools had an orderly and smooth school opening here yesterday.

This is the assessment of Aklan Schools Division Superintendent Victorina Laroza when asked on her observations on the opening of classes here June 4.

“The all-out compliance of school heads and school teachers in Aklan of the DepEd order to accept enrollees without charging any fees contributed much to the orderly and smooth opening of classes here”, according to Laroza.

Laroza also said there is a noted increase in enrollment in elementary and high schools. She revealed however, that Aklan schools still lack teachers.

“In Manoc-Manoc, Boracay Island for example, incoming Grade 1 pupils I heard number more or less a hundred. But we cannot divide them into two sections, as there is no teacher to handle the other group. This problem on our lack of teachers here is now a big headache for mayors, especially in Kalibo, and for the provincial government under Governor Carlito Marquez.

Dr. Laroza said Kalibo, under Mayor Rebaldo, maintains a big number of teachers paid under the municipal school board, while the province also has teachers all over the province paid under the provincial school board.

“Some teachers under the municipal school boards are only paid at least P2,000.00 pesos a month. However, some are luckier, like those in Malay and Kalibo, for they get more or less P5,000.00 a month. Others just volunteer to teach,” Dr. Laroza revealed.

Last year, with Aklan’s 300 elementary schools, only 8 teacher items were given to DepEd Aklan, while the national high schools fared better as they were given 28 items, according to Dr. Laroza.

Presently, there are still schools here in remote areas practicing the multi-grade system, a set-up wherein a teacher teaches more than one grade level in just one classroom.

Meantime, this scenario in Aklan is seen to improve with DepEd’s high budget for 2007. According to its officials, DepEd has hired 16,390 additional public school teachers to attain a 1:45 teacher to pupil ratio in all public schools nationwide and fill up the shortage of teachers within the year. It was able to expand its Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) programs wherein DepEd gives students in private schools a P4,000 subsidy to stay enrolled and prevent a migration to already congested public schools. The DepEd was able to arrange for the construction of 6,000 additional classrooms that will hopefully be completed by the end of the year.

DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus expected few problems on the first day of classes, owing to the inter-agency efforts initiated by DepEd and the Oplan Balik Eskwela Command Center to ensure that all school opening concerns are addressed.

The DepEd Secretary reiterated that public school enrollees are not required to pay anything. Contributions for PTA, boys and Girl Scouts, anti-TB drive RedCross and school paper are voluntary.

In Aklan, Dr. Laroza said she opened her lines and her office for complaints in the conduct of enrollment and school opening, but none reached her office. (PIA/Venus Villanueva)