Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Ex-Porters cries injustice


Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre, Mary Mae Bautista, Winston Carillo

New Washington, Aklan- Thirteen former porters under the Eagle Ports Incorporated based in Barangay Dumaguit, New Washington Aklan have decried injustice and asked the Philippine Ports Authority to act for their behalf.

In an exclusive interview, Orly D. Candelario, 67, the former chief porter and one of the complainants said that David R. Simon, manager of the Legal Services Department of the Philippine Ports Authority in Manila have asked the management of the Eagle Ports Incorporated represented by its president and respondent Nole Marie Diestro Salazar for the prompt payment of wages, overtime and benefits of the complainants.

In their position paper, complainants aver that they had been working with the company when itsbusiness name was still Diestro Stevedoring Porterage Services. It was incorporated in 1994 and most of its workers were absorbed by EPI.

“Atty. Christine Candelario dela Cruz (counsel for the complainants) has furnished us your guidance and appropriate consideration consistent with PPA Administrative Order No. 10-81, particularly Section 7.05 thereof on the promptpayment of wages, overtime, benefits, etc. In favor of labor which subsists as one of the terms and conditions of your continued authority to operate the cargo handling services in the port of Dumaguit,” said Simon.

On January 20, 2004 the National Labor Relations Commission issued a decision and final order on behalf of the 13 former porters asking the Eagle Ports Incorporated represented by Nole Marie D. Salazar, guilty of illegal dismissal.

Rene Eñano, Labor Arbiter ordered Salazar to pay the complainants the sum of P1, 916, 456.76 as compensation for the former porters who were illegally dismissed from the service.

Rommel B. Elejorde, 42 one of the former porters in Dumaguit Port said that they were illegally dismissed from the service by Salazar after they served as witnesses for the shooting to death of company President Raymund Rodriguez.

It could be recalled that Rodriguez was shot to death by the suspect Atty. Benito Salazar in Dumaguit Port. Because of the incident, Salazar was filed a homicide case and is now under bail.

“On January 20, 2004, the NLRC serves its notice of decision/final order and for two years and a half we are still waiting to be paid by the management of the Eagle Ports Incorporated and we hope that the PPA will now do something about this. In the matter of fact, two of our co-complainants were already dead and most of us are jobless and suffering from heavy burdens in our daily lives,” Elejorde and Candelario said.

The complainants said they wanted the PPA to compel the Eagle Ports Management to finally pay the former of their dues because indirectly the stevedoring and porterage services are being supervised by the Philippine Ports Authority

P100T reward up for wanted ex-mayor

Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre
Kalibo, Aklan- The Philippine National Police Task Force Usig had officially issued a P100 thousand reward for the information that will lead to the arrest of former Lezo Mayor Fred Arcenio.

During the weekly police conference here Tuesday, Aklan PNP Sr. Supt Benigno Durana said that the police have intensified its campaign to arrest Arcenio suspect in the killing of Bombo radio station manager Herson Hinolan in November 2004.

“The Task Force Usig is studying all means to arrest Arcenio with intelligence reports that some of his friends both in the military and the PNP might harbor him. The task force is also bent on studying possible leakage of information that will hamper Arcenio’s arrest,” Durana said.

Arcenio before he was elected as mayor of Lezo town in 2004, he is known to be a member of the Military Intelligence Group of the Philippine Army’s 12th Infantry Batallion. The Kalibo Regional Trial Court against the former mayor has issued a warrant of arrest for murder case.

To reinforce the PNP national office, Durana bared that he is also organizing a local PNP task force to oversee local situations and how it could help the national PNP in speeding up the resolution of the media killings.

Meanwhile, Durana bared that they are also doing their best to also resolve the killings of broadcaster Roland Ureta, a program manager of RMN—dyKR who was killed in Lezo, Aklan in January 2001.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Aklan dengue cases down; gastroenteritis threat up

Kalibo, Aklan – Cases of dengue in Aklan are slowing down, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) here.

Dr. Maria J. Magpusao, Chief of the Technical Services Division here revealed that this month, cases of dengue as recorded by the PHO appear to be decreasing.

Based on their records, the first week of July recorded a total of 25 cases, 2nd week, 15 cases; and third week, 4 cases. However, Aklan health officials are now alarmed with the increasing number of patients brought to the hospital suffering from gastroenteritis.

Magpusao said patients come from all parts of the province, with ages ranging from below a year-old to 52 years old.

Magpusao revealed that just within the first week of July, 48 gastroenteritis cases were listed by the PHO. She suspects the changing weather condition, the eating habits of young children, and the presence of intestinal worms in young children are some of the contributing factors in the rise of cases.

She advised that once afflicted, a person should be made to drink plenty of fluid and take ORESOL and increase his body resistance.

Although cases of dengue in Aklan is decreasing, Magpusao warned that people should still be on guard, because when continuous rain sets in in August , cases might againt come up. She still suspects cases might still peak in August, because this was the trend in the past years.

She called on all Aklanons not to be lax on dengue and practice the 4 o’clock habit by cleaning the surroundings and searching and destroying the breeding places of mosquitoes.

“Everybody is vulnerable to dengue, but complications are greater when the patient is very young, or very old,” Magpusao stressed.

Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano called on local officials and residents to keep tourist destinations crime-free and also safe from dengue and other diseases.

He called on mayors of the different tourist destinations in the country to take important measures to prevent the outbreak of dengue in their areas.

Aklan is home to Boracay Island, the province’ and the country’s top tourist destination.

A high incidence of dengue, according to Durano, would scare away both foreign and local tourists.

Based on records of the Provincial Tourism Office in Aklan, tourist arrivals in boracay Island last year already reached the half a million mark. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Pscijourn to be organized in WV soon

Jun Ariolo N.. Aguirre
Kalibo, Aklan- In order to introduce the importance of science journalism in Western Visayas, the Philippine Science Journalists Incorporated (PSciJourn) will be organized in three key provinces in the region: Aklan, Iloilo and Bacolod City.

According to Dr. Rafael Rivera, publisher of the health magazine and a columnists of the Philippine Daily Inquirer the organization of PScijourn in the provinces is needed as the country hopes to host the annual conference of the Worldwide Science Journalists in 2013.

"We hope that we could have more active science journalists by 2013 so we have enough manpower to host the international event," Rivera said.

The Philippines was recently registered as the 23rd member (nation) association of the WFSJ based in Canada.

Vicky Bartilet, mediacore of the Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science and Technology said that science journalism is comparatively a recent development in the country.

"In Europe and many developed countries, science journalism began during the enlightenment period in the 18th century," Bartilet said.

"Even after World War II, science and technology stories rarely saw in print in Philippine national dailies. Early records of support for S&T information among broadcast networks are also practically non-existent. The closest to what amount as S&T news were most health-related.

The Press Foundation for Asia, and the Philippine Press Institute also made important initiatives in the development of Philippine Science Journalism. PFA established Depthnews in 1968 and created its science service in 1976. Manila-based Aklanon journalist Paul Icamina became the wire service science editor. DepthNews then had subscribers from Asia and United Nations Agencies.

The first to be organized is Aklan province in the Visayas to hopefully invite International Science Journalists to visit Boracay Island in 2013.

Jairus Lachica, the DOST head in Aklan said that the organization will be held on August 8 with the cooperation of media, the campus press and the information officer to elect among themselves the officers of PSciJourn-Aklan chapter.

Bora terminal collection soars high- Maquirang

BORACAY Island- The collection of Boracay terminal port boosted with the six-day daily flight of the Sea Air from Incheon, South Korea to Kalibo Airport, Caticlan Jetty Port Administrator Nieven Maquirang reported.

In his first-half report to Governor Carlito Marquez, Maquirang stated that an over-all P24, 269, 185.02 for January-June report funds was collected from the operation of the terminal including wharfage, terminal fee among others.

"The value is much higher compared to our first-half report in 2006 wherein we only collected P19,489,469, 185.67," Maquirang said.

The operation of the six day- daily flight each week started this July. At the start of the inauguration flight last May, the Sea Air only travels three times a week.

Despite the continuous increase of the terminal collection, however, tourists here didn’t appreciate the increase because of the unsanitary condition of the terminal jetty port’s comfort rooms and the lack of air-conditioning facilities.

"We have already asked the provincial capitol to provide us the necessary funds for the operation and maintenance of the terminal. We hope to recieve the things we need soon," Maquirang said.

The jetty port has been included in the P250 million annual budget approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in the Economic Enterprise Zone.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Boracay policemen inspected

By BAM LUCES

BORACAY – The Regional Internal Affairs Services (RIAS) of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) recently tested the readiness of the elements of the Boracay Special Tourist Police Office (BSTPO).

Called the Annual General Inspection Operational Readiness Security Inspection Test and Evaluation (AGI-ORSITE), it aims to ensure that policemen are always on alert and efficient.

Among others, the men and women of the BSTPO were tested for their knowledge in handling crimes such as robbery and drug pushing.

Their alertness in responding to emergency cases and attack was also checked.

The general inspection is required under the Philippine National Police Reorganization Act of 1988.

ORSITE evaluators also assessed the physical appearance, accomplishments in operations, intelligence, logistics, controllership and police community relations of the Boracay Special Tourist Police Office.

‘Floating coffins,’ a thing of the past

By ULYSSES ESPARTERO

MALAY, Aklan – Floating coffins will be a thing of the past as a result of the “one entry, one exit” policy implemented by the provincial government and enforced by Task Force Bantay Boracay.

Flatboats, used during low tide to transport tourists from bancas to the Caticlan and Cagban Jetty Ports, have been tagged as “floating coffins” as accidents happen onboard, where from luggage to guests fell into the water especially at night.

The Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) proposed that flatboats should be removed from the system because they are dangerous.

Karen Reina of Mandala Spa even described the faltboats as “cheap, old and rusty.”
Even during high tide, tourism stakeholders here wonder why flatboats are used.

The Boracay Association of Resorts, Restaurants and Independent Allies (BARRIA) called on the local officials to protect the tourists and the residents of the island and implement the “one entry, one exit policy” immediately.

“We do not want to wait for misfortunes to happen before we get our acts together. If in the future, they will happen, who will pay for the damages? Who will shoulder the responsibility,” one observer who refused to be named noted.

The Caticlan Boracay Transport Multi-purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC) earlier expressed opposition to the system but failed.

Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez said the change in the present transport system in Boracay was reinforced because he the island is the “crown jewel of the Philippines tourism industry.”

PS/Supt. Benigno Durana,Jr., Task Force Bantay Boracay head, urged the island’s tourism stakeholders to abide by the regulations being enforced by the authorities for the good of the island and for the welfare of its people.

from the readers

To the Aklan Governor,

You are the best and one unique example of all the leaders...May GOD allow things and your plans to happen because of your cares and sincerity to all Aklanons...

Mr.and Mrs.Willie Z.Nemis
USA

And the Winner Is..


AND THE WINNER IS ........RACHEL OFORI , the COVER MODEL CONTEST WINNER of the Fourpoints Magazine for their Aug./Sept. 2007 Issue ! ABANGAN & PLS. BUY this ISSUE. It'll be in the Magazine Rack next week.
Rachel de Mariano Ofori the daughter of Dr. Stephen Ofori (of Ghana, Africa) & Faith de Mariano Ofori (of Lezo, Aklan) & the grand daughter of Mr. Emeterio & Mrs. Cristeta C. de Mariano of Lezo, Aklan, who just captured / WON the COVER MODEL of FOURPOINTS MAGAZINE for Aug. - Sept. 2007 Issue. We're very PROUD of Rachel's accomplishment ! Another BUGAE it Aklan / Philippines !
Thanks a lot for publishing her previous announcement & a million thanks for the SUPPORT / VOTES to all the people who voted for her but goes most especially to you Jun Ariolo Aguirre & to the Anwang Aklan Blogspot staff.

As Always,
Nene Aguirre Leacock

"fourpoints is pleased to announce, after much suspense, that the winner of the 2007 Make Me A Cover Model Contest is....Rachel Ofori! Rachel will be featured on the cover of the August/September issue of the magazine and have a feature article written about her inside the magazine. She will also make an appearance at the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant in Orlando as the new Make Me A Cover Model.

Rachel, a 14-year-old from Lawton, Oklahoma, currently holds the title of Miss Lawton's Outstanding Teen 2007. She is very dedicated to her platform, fighting childhood obesity. She is a first-generation American of Ghanian and Filipina descent.

fourpoints would like to thank all of the young women who entered the Make Me A Cover Model Contest. It is our privilege to get to know so many beautiful, amazing young women. The task of picking just one to place on our cover is never easy. We thank you for your support and all the work you do in your communities."


http://www.fourpointsmagazine.com/mags/fourpoints/news/article.asp?id=426

COMELEC extends registration for barangay, SK elections

Kalibo, Aklan –Aklanons who were not able to register during the scheduled registration from July 22 to 29 to be able to vote for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections set on October 29 of this year can now register themselves, with the go signal given by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for the extension.

The extension of nationwide registration runs from July 24 to 31 of this year for those who would be voting for barangay elections, while for SK, the extension is set July 28-29 and August 4-5.

Lorena Tumbagahan, OIC Provincial Election Supervisor (PES) and concurrently the Election Registrar of COMELEC-Kalibo said that for barangay election voters, registration will be facilitated at Municipal COMELEC Offices and for SK, at barangay halls or schools, wherever is agreed upon.

In barangay halls or schools which are called the filing centers, Tumbagahan said there will be a receiving committee to facilitate the registration, which would be composed of two public school teachers or even government employees if the former are not available.

The extension of COMELEC registration nationwide was brought about by the overwhelming turnout of registrants.

In Kalibo for instance, Tumbagahan said the COMELEC did not expect such big turnout of registrants, considering that the May 2007 elections was just held two months ago and before that, the COMELEC has conducted continuing voters’ registration.

“I was amazed to see that in the course of the eight days of registration, the COMELEC office was swamped from early morning until the evening with a big number of people who lined up for registration. There was even a man who was still confined in a hospital but went out to register and came to the office with dextrose attached to his body. There was also a woman who had given birth by caesarian section, but risked her well-being by lining up to register, even if she had just been operated on five days before. There was also this woman who lined up under the heat of the sun bringing her infant along. I also heard that a pregnant woman who was in the line felt dizzy, so she just went home,” Tumbagahan related when asked of her observations.

Tumbagahan said that since 1997, the COMELEC conducted a continuing registration of voters. She found out too, in the course of the registration period, that some brand new or first-time registrants, have ages ranging from 25, 28, 30 and others 50 up. To be sure, COMELEC-Kalibo looked into the files of the office to see if these people had registered already, but no records were found.

Most of those who registered, according to Tumbagahan, wanted to transfer within the municipality. For instance, Tumbagahan said some Brgy. Buswang New voters registered to transfer to Brgy. Buswang Old or anywhere else in Kalibo; some wanted to transfer from other municipalities, while others came outside the province.

Tumbagahan said COMELEC officers from the different municipalities here also shared almost the same experiences and observations.

The COMELEC here expects that registration during the extended period in Aklan will be peaceful and orderly. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Monday, July 23, 2007

Advisory

This website will be down from July 24-29, 2007 for maintenance. Our apology for the inconvenience.

a tribute to Cardinal Sin


This 13.5 feet tall bronze-crest monument will be unveiled on August 31, 2007 in New Washington Aklan at the Jaime Cardinal Sin Park as a tribute to the heroism of the Aklanon Cardinal during the Edsa Revolution (Jun N. Aguirre)

Sunday, July 22, 2007

AKLAN A FREE SYNDICATED ILLEGAL GAMBLING PROVINCE

PO1 Nida L Gregas


PNP Provincial Director Police Senior Superintendent Benigno B Durana Jr declares Aklan province is not free from illegal gambling but free from syndicated illegal gambling. This information divulged during the 1st joint press conference of Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) and Aklan Police and Defense Press Corps (APDPC) conducted last July 17, 2007 held at Aklan PPO Multi-Purpose Building, Camp Pastor Martelino, Kalibo, Aklan.

As operational accomplishments shows in Campaign against Illegal Gambling or Violation of RA 9287 from 01 January – 15 June 2007, the Aklan PPO conducted 10 operations with 20 persons arrested and 11 cases already filed in court.

According to PSSUPT Durana, a thorough information dissemination campaign against illegal gambling and intelligence monitoring is being undertaken by the command to neutralize violators. Likewise, all Municipal Police stations were directed to intensify their campaigns and have their individual night watch operations in their respective AOR particularly Kalibo and Boracay areas. (PIO-Aklan PPO)

AKLAN PPO HOSTED PRESS CONFERENCE

The Aklan Police Provincial Office successfully hosted the 1st joint press conference of Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) and Aklan Police and Defense Press Corps (APDPC) as Police Community Relations celebrates the 12th year anniversary this July to promote strong partnership between the community and the police force in the Aklan province.

The presscon conducted last July 17, 2007 at Aklan PPO Multi-Purpose Building to strengthen the good media relations. It is also one way of putting up into proper perspective the ties with the members of the fourth estate. A total of 30 Tri-media personality were present on that date. The activity will be conducted regularly every Tuesday at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

This solicited idea of tri-media and Aklan PPO purposely portrait a transparency in all police activities, and upholding the right of the people to be informed on matters of public interests.

PNP Provincial Director Police Senior Superintendent Benigno B Durana Jr, congratulates the members of the newly organized press corps who really give their full support to the Aklan PPO in all police activities.

According to PSSUPT Durana, crimes continue to remain very manageable despite the growing urbanization and development of the Aklan province. Out of this year’s total crime volume, 98 incidents or 61.64% are considered index crimes and 61 incidents or 38.36% are non index crimes. Of the 159 crime incidents recorded and investigated, 153 were considered solved, indicating a Crime Solution efficiency of 96.23. An increase in crime solution efficiency of 1.30% compared to 94.93% recorded during the same period last year. (PIO-Aklan PPO)

KADAMAY Against Dengue

The Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) – Aklan, spearheads the July 22, 2007 campaign dubbed as Kampanya Kontra Dengue.

“We are alarmed with the increasing numbers of victims of dengue in some municipalities in the province”, said KADAMAY-Aklan Spokesperson, Nita Tugna. “Though we have doctors here in Aklan, realities speak of the inability of the Local Government of the province to fully provide victims of dengue medical services and assistance that the needs to transport the victim to Roxas City or Iloilo City for complete treatment”. “This brings worries to the families of the victims and would be victims, especially we, in the urban poor areas, for the transport of our patients begets big amount of money with which, we in this sector could hardly provide given that most of us are in “remedyo heneral” in terms of earnings”. Tugna added.

“We also resigned ourselves to the fact, that the incapacity of the local government of the province in answering the health need of Aklanons, is brought about by programs and policies of the national government in this sector. The devolution of Health and privatization have in effect, widened the margin of access of the poor, far from this basic service. Though they are also a victim of this system but the local government must also be critical to this condition and should challenge the national government on this matter”. Tugna furthers.

“Our Kampanya Kontra Dengue is kick-off activity of KADAMAY as it calls on the Aklanons to join the nationally coordinated protest actions that will be led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on Monday, July 23, 2007”. Together with BAYAN, KADAMAY will continuously expose the real condition of the people that will be covered with lies by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her SONA on Monday.” “Part of this campaign will be a conduct of community clean up, feeding and deworming of more than 200 urban poor children ages 1 to 10 years old, as well as, a lecture on the preventive measures against dengue”. Through these activities, people would realize the pain of behind the P0.30 per person, per day budget of Gloria Mapagal Arroyo to the health needs of the people, while she and her cohorts, enjoy the blessing of their corrupted billions from the blood and sweat of the people”. Tugna, elaborates.

The campaign will participated by the Aklan Medical Society, Aklan’s Provincial Health Office, Kalibo Municipal General Services Office, Poblacion Kalibo Barangay Council, Students of Dela Cruz Institute for Business and Industry and RECAG.##

Aklanons Against Frustrated Killing and Abduction

Kalibo, Aklan – SAVE MA. LUISA “LUING” POSA-DOMINADO and LEONILO “NILO” ABAO ARADO MOVEMENT successfully launched today through a lunch for a cause and a media forum on Anti-Terror Law at the Conference Hall of Kalibo Municipal Building, Kalibo, Aklan.

“Today, national data speaks of more than 900 hundred documented cases of extra-judicial killings, forcible disappearances and abductions of whom, most of the victims are from the ranks of militant and progressive organizations”. said Fernando Baldomero, BAYAN Muna- Aklan Provincial Chairperson and also a member of SELDA-Panay.

“What happened to Leeboy, Luing and Nilo is just but one of the various forms and of the continuously increasing numbers of cases of human rights violations under the Arroyo administration “. Baldomero added.

The shooting of Leeboy and the abduction of Luing and Nilo are the first cases of frustrated killing and forcible disappearance in the island of Panay, and we fear that this will set a precedence -- given that this regime, have already taken terrorism as policy of the state, as it is clearly manifested by the passage and full implementation of the Anti-Terror Law/Human Security Act of 2007, in the guise of its all-out-war policy against “terrorism”. Baldomero furthers.

Baldomero also added, “we come together to organize ourselves and establish SAVE in the province to preempt the possibility of the killings of the activists—our way of defending our rights as human”.

In resolution passed and approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan, former SP Member Franklin L. Quimpo, the proponent of the said resolution, stressed that the frustrated killing and the abduction of activists regional leaders would also possibly happened in Aklan as claimed by leaders and members of progressive and militant organizations in the province.

“There are also reported cases of warrantless arrest and detention, surveillance and harassments to the council particularly, in the Committee on Human Rights chaired by Hon. Ramon Gelito. Quimpo said."The approval of the resolution thus, signifies our opposition and condemnation to all forms of human right violations and extra-judicial killings”.

“We are in a democratic country and it is sad to note that people who advocate on issues related to this concern with an opposite view to that of the government, are out-rightly declared as enemies of the state, and are usually become victims of illegal arrest and detention, and worst scenario, abducted and killed by the armed element of the state”. Quimpo added.

The launching is being joined in by lawyers, legislators, sectoral representatives, people from the academe, friends of Luing and Nilo in Aklan, local chapters of progressive party lists, militant organization under BAYAN-Aklan, individuals and media. ###

Kalibo Chamber favors high-power rate

By Michael S. Resterio

KALIBO, Aklan- Officers and members of the Kalibo Ati-atihan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) favored the power rate increases if it is only the way for a sustainable electricity supply in the province.

In a meeting held here recently, Larry Barbaza president of the KCCI said that Kalibo-based businessmen are clamoring for more electricity supply to cope with their needed demand for the operation of their businesses.

"But we understand we could not do anything but wait because residents are protesting any power rate increase of the Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO)," Barbaza said.
The problem on power shortage in the province stemmed after the Kalibo Regional Trial Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order for the Global Business and Power Corporation to stop distributing power supply to AKELCO.

The TRO was issued after Congressman Florencio Miraflores questioned the controversy hounding the Electric Power Purchase Agreement (EPPA) between the GBPC and the AKELCO.

"In Kalibo, we observed the economic lives are progressing but the only way that progress is disrupted because of the low power supply," Barbaza said.

Barbaza, an owner of a pharmacy, said that among the indicator that Kalibo is progressing is the mushrooming in number of pharmaceutical firms in the town.

"One might think that the Aklanons are sick, but we welcomed the increasing number of pharmacies in Kalibo as a sign of economic growth providing better alternative medical supplies for the residents," he said.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Standard for Electromechanical Meters set for PubCon

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has set the public consultation (PubCon) on the draft “Philippine National Standard for Electromechanical Meters” on 20 July 2007, nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 AM) at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Business District, Pasig City.

“It is high time for the electric power industry to have a Philippine National Standard (PNS) for electricity metering equipment to ensure safety, accuracy, and reliability. The standard sets the requirements and parameters for meters and meter-related equipment to ensure their quality and protect the consumers,” ERC Chairman and CEO Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr. said.

The PNS adopted the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and the IEC’s (International Electrotechnical Commission) standards with some revisions to make them applicable in the Philippine setting. The ANSI contains the Code for Electricity Metering which: (1) establishes acceptable performance criteria for new types of AC watthour meters, demand meters, demand registers, pulse devices, and auxiliary devices; (2) describes acceptable in-service performance levels for meters and devices used in revenue metering; (3) includes information on related subjects, such as recommended measurement standards, installation requirements, test methods, and test schedules; and (4) provides a reference for those concerned with electricity metering, such as utilities, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies.

The IEC, on the other hand, (1) covers type tests for electricity metering equipment for indoor and outdoor application, which apply to newly-manufactured equipment designed to measure the electrical energy; (2) applies to electromechanical or static meters for indoor and outdoor application; and (3) applies to operation indicators and test outputs.

The PNS was jointly undertaken by ERC-BPS (Bureau of Product Standards) TC70, a Technical Committee created to develop such standard for electric watt-hour meters. It is composed of representatives from different stakeholders such as the academe, distribution utilities, consumers, suppliers and manufacturers, professional associations, and government agencies concerned.

P5-billion island airport to increase visitors to Boracay and nearby areas

MALAY, Aklan — The construction of the R5-billion Carabao Island Airport, starting October, is expected to serve hundreds of thousands of local and foreign tourists visiting the world famous Boracay island and nearby areas yearly.

The construction of the airport, a private sector initiative, will be completed by 2010.

Steve Tajanlangit, vice chairman of the Boracay Property Holdings, Inc., the main proponent of the project, expressed confidence that the airport will further hasten the growth of tourism on Boracay- Carabao Island corridor.

Tajanlangit stressed that the airport will also generate thousands of employment and spur economic growth and activities not only on Boracay island, but also the entire municipality of San Jose, Romblon, where the Carabao Island is located.

He said his group has already secured a guarantee line from the Phil Exim Bank which shows that the private sector can work hand in hand with the government, especially in the development of tourist destinations.

Once completed, the airport will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that can accommodate even big aircraft doing international flights in contrast to the Caticlan Airport which can only host small planes.

Among the highly reputable and world-class firms that have expressed interest and offered expertise and financial resources to the project is Sellex Sistemo Integrated of Italy. Sellex, which supplies airside equipment, is the main firm of the comglomerate Finmeccanica owned by the Italian government.

Tajanlangit’s group is also seriously considering Changi International of Singapore, which is consistently rated as the world’s best airport operator, to be the airport manager.

Construction management will likely be handled by an American firm with proven expertise in building airports and support facilities for the US Defense Department.

Tajanlangit said the government’s guarantee company has already approved credit clearance for the project, while the Air Transportation Office under the Department of Transportation and Communications has already given its condition locational clearance.


Women’s Rights Delegates Push for an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the UN meeting

Atty. Clara Rita A. Padilla

Executive Director

EnGendeRights, Inc.


Geneva, July 19, 2007—The members of the International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific (IWRAW-AP) delegation Brenda Campbell, Clara Rita A. Padilla, and Niti Saxena are presently attending the United Nations Open-ended Meeting on an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR or the Covenant) being held in Geneva this July 16-27, 2007.

The delegates from the States Parties, non-governmental organizations, and experts are discussing the provisions of a draft Optional Protocol that provides the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (the Committee), tasked to monitor the implementation of the Covenant, to receive and consider communications/individual complaints and to conduct inquiries on alleged violations of state obligations to respect, protect and fulfill economic, social and cultural rights.

Clara Rita Padilla, a feminist lawyer and the Executive Director of EnGendeRights, says, “The much-needed Optional Protocol will strengthen access to justice of women on economic and socio-cultural rights including the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (Art. 12.1, ICESCR), education (Art. 13), work (Art. 6), food and freedom from hunger (Art. 11.1 and 11.2), and housing (Art. 11.1), among others. The proposed mechanism of individual complaints will allow individuals and groups of individuals to file complaints against their states for failure to uphold their rights under the Covenant. The views of the Committee on these complaints would have a significant impact in furthering women’s rights.”

An example of a complaint that can be filed with the Committee is on the right to education of women especially poor, rural, and indigenous women. Statistics show that the higher the educational attainment of women, the less number of children they want. This means less unwanted pregnancies, and lesser women undergoing unsafe, backstreet abortions in the case of the Philippines where abortion is still unsafe and illegal.

Another complaint that can be filed is on women’s right to access emergency contraceptive pills to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Until now, Filipino women including rape victims are unable to access these contraceptive pills due to policies of the Bureau of Food and Drugs Administration and the Department of Health that are contrary to the findings of the World Health Organization and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics and the policies of over 140 nations worldwide that have endorsed emergency contraceptives as a proven safe and effective method of modern contraception including predominantly Catholic countries such as Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Hungary, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Venezuela.

With proper access to health care information and services including sexuality education for adolescents, maternal mortality ratios can be dramatically brought down as seen in the experiences of other countries where maternal mortality has been brought down to less than ten women dying for every 100,000 live births (i.e., Canada, Italy, Spain, UNFPA State of the World Population Report (SWPR) 2006).

In the Philippines, it is regrettable that the maternal mortality ratio has remained constant for the past three years (200 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births, UNFPA SWPR 2005, 2006, 2007). This shows that the Philippines has failed miserably to comply with its obligation under the Covenant to “undertake steps...to achieving progressively the full realization of the rights recognized in the present Covenant by all appropriate means, including the adoption of legislative measures.”

Atty. Padilla says, “It’s just unfortunate that there is no delegate from the Philippine Mission in Geneva who is present here to express their support for an Optional Protocol to the Covenant.” She adds, “We need pressure from NGOs, stakeholders and policy makers back in the Philippines and around the world to support this important process.”

One entry, one exit makes Boracay a hard target for terrorists – PNP

Kalibo, Aklan –Terrorists will only attack when you least expect it. They attack when the target is soft and vulnerable.

Sr. Police Superintendent Benigno Durana, Aklan Police Provincial Office Provincial Director disclosed this in a press conference recently with the Aklan Police Defense Press Corps. This was PD Durana’s answer to a media man’s question on the implementation of the Human Security Act (RA 9372) and its impact on the protection of Boracay Island from terroristic attacks.

Durana said the PNP employs three steps to implement protective laws – intelligence, investigation and target hardening. In the intelligence aspect, Durana said the PNP collects information to protect Boracay Island and preempt any terroristic activity from happening there. On the other hand, he said investigations involve looking at any information that will cause them to believe that there is a presence of terroristic activities already.

According to Durana, if there are vital installations or areas that can be considered a potential target for terroristic activities, the PNP hardens it to make the area a hard target for terrorists.

“The one entry, one exit policy in Boracay Island is one effort of the provincial government of Aklan to make Boracay a hard target for the terrorists,” Durana said.

Durana also disclosed that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police has created Task Force Boracay to protect the island. There is also the presence of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard, according to him. However, he also emphasized that in risk management, you can never erase or achieve a zero risk – the purpose of the security system is to lessen the risk present, in order to lessen the vulnerability of a potential target.

July 20 is the official launching by Malacanang of the Human Security act, or RA 9372. HAS took effect July 15 but launching was reset in deference to the July 16-17 National Consultative Summit organized by the Supreme Court.

Philippine Information Agency Director General Dodi Limcaoco, who announced the launching, said victims and survivors of terrorist attacks will converge in Malacanang to mark the implementation of the HAS.

Members of Congress and the Senate who were instrumental in passing the law, members of the Anti Terrorism Council, Cabinet secretaries and members of the diplomatic corps are expected to join the launching rites, with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expected to deliver the keynote message. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Casiño takes oath before Justice Carpio

Bayan Muna second nominee Teddy Casiño today took his oath as
partylist representative in simple yet meaningful ceremonies before
the associate justice who penned the Supreme Court's decision
dismissing the Arroyo administration' s rebellion case against 50
underground and legal leftist personalities, including the Batasan 6.

Associate Justice Antonio Carpio swore Casiño into office at 3:00 pm
today at the Supreme Court's Dignitaries Lounge.

Casiño, 38, was accompanied by his wife Karapatan spokesperson Ruth
Cervantes and other members of the Casiño family.

In a statement, Casiño thanked voters for renewing Bayan Muna's
mandate in the last elections. "We rededicate ourselves and our party
to pursuing our program of New Politics despite attempts to annihilate
us politically and physically. We will push for reforms for the basic
masses and the middle class who bear the brunt of political, economic
and social crises under the current dispensation. "

He also expressed hope that the Supreme Court will give way to the
petition for certiorari which the partylist group filed against the
Commission on Elections that aims to prohibit the election body from
implementing the First Party Rule.

"At the very least, Bayan Muna deserves to obtain the current maximum
of three seats after having obtained more than six percent of total
partylist votes. Unfortunately, the First Party Rule negates the
popular mandate we won fair and squre," said Casiño.

Bayan Muna contends that the First Party Rule and the three-seat cap
are illegal and unconstitutional and violates the principles of
proportional representation.

International law expert and human rights lawyer Neri Javier
Colmenares is Bayan Muna's third nominee.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Helping ‘well-meaning’ social dev’t amateurs from abroad


JEREMAIAH M. OPINIANO,

Institute for Migration and Development Issues


MANILA—CLICKS at the mouse press Antonina “Tonette” Binsol’s attachment to her homeland.

At one click, Binsol barrages Yahoo! email groups with numerous appeals to raise funds for an Aeta child’s scholarship, a livelihood project, and multiple other development initiatives. At another, this assistant manager at Mizuho Securities in Japan has raised the needed amounts and sends the money to intended beneficiaries.

All that philanthropic effort Binsol tries to execute —from the first mile (Japan) to the last mile (the Philippines)— using her computer. She never forgot thanking 50 Filipino donors from seven countries through the website of Binsol’s cyber nonprofit group Tulong Pinoy Movement, www.tpmovers.org.

Binsol won’t be clicking her mouse anymore: the 36-year-old died in Japan recently. “She tries to ensure that the resources are used properly,” shares Rotarian Jimmy Cura during Binsol’s wake here in Singalong area. “Tonette is trying to put a system to her efforts at helping the Philippines.”

It has been a best-effort basis for migrant philanthropy, an endeavor Binsol does “’so well’ and with all heart,” says Francisco Aguilar, Jr., another former overseas Filipino. Hundreds of other Filipinos abroad, grouped as members of the same Pinoy hometown, the same neighborhood overseas, the same Alma Mater, and more of whatever are similar in them, manage whatever they can just to help.

Some of these Filipino overseas donors admitted they need help to their private philanthropy, last recorded in 2003 as a US$218 million resource that’s already a third of the same year’s official development aid from foreign governments (some US$776 million).

“We cannot always do the dirty work from our end,” says Honesto Tria of the US-based Save-a-Tahanan, Inc. (STI). For 20 years, a partner back home —Save-a-Tahanan Movement Philippines— has been implementing grassroots community projects in five provinces with at meager total budget of US$5,000 a year.

It is even hard to raise funds for such long-term community development work, narrates chair Marisa Robles. “We are just a ‘mom-and-pop’ group, and STI is happy to have survived this long.”


In spite of that, recent studies in migrant philanthropy have posed a hard reality: Even if Filipino migrant donors address “immediate needs” like food, school supplies, and medical equipment, the developmental impact of these is “piecemeal,” writes Filipino-Canadian Jon Silva in his master’s thesis at Simon Fraser University.

This situation “already undermines the perception that these (donations) are worthwhile,” Silva observed.

These Filipinos abroad, who are primarily workers and residents in foreign lands, are not professional social development workers, observes American Fulbright scholar Shawn Powers in his evaluation of four US-based Filipino donor groups’ projects. “They are ‘well-meaning amateurs.’”

But Filipino migrant philanthropy has another side to it: nonprofit groups, government agencies, and a host of other stakeholders ask money directly from them. These groups have the machineries in place so that migrant donors do not worry much where the donations went or if these were misused.

Take Gawad Kalinga, whose socialized housing program costs P50,000 per home, as an example: P210 million from overseas Filipino donations, equaling to 4,200 homes to poor Filipinos.

When the Bacolod City-based Negros Economic Development Foundation helped facilitate the P100,000 donation of Negrosanon USA for water systems in identified barangays in the city, “they were happy and learned the value of working with a partner in the Philippines,” narrates Executive Director Rose Depra.

Given the prominence of overseas Filipinos as a target market (both as billion-dollar consumers and as million-dollar donors), everybody wants a piece of migrants’ disposable and “investible” incomes.

But when one gets to face them, and hears their own problems while overseas, “you will just pause and say I’ll not yet ask money from them,” narrates development NGO worker Anna Leah Sarabia during her sortie with Filipinos in Canada last year.

Migrant philanthropy can even be an anti-thesis if the donor from abroad is on the receiving end, like former Singapore-based domestic worker Luisa Tayco, whose deluge of family and business-related problems earlier this year just made her almost helpless.

While other Filipinos abroad have helped her in some way, she was quick to point at government agencies: “I have asked for a loan,” narrates the president of Pinokyos Welfare, “and I was just passed around from one office to another.”

“Isn’t it that we here at home should be the first ones to help overseas Filipinos?” asks Marietta Paragas of the Cordillera Network of NGOs and People’s Organizations (CordNet).

“We admit we need help in our development projects back home,” says Tria, carrying with him a P3 million project proposal (covering three years) that is looking for an interested local donor. STI has the money to match a local donor’s interest, he reminds.

STI still searches for help. So do migrant donors like Tayco, who clings on to a piggy bank in her Novaliches, Caloocan City canteen just to continue her Pinokyos spirit while reintegrating into mainstream Philippine society.

“I really want to help,” Tayco says, to the wonder of those who have helped her since she has been into all kinds of problems. “Please help us and our dreams for the country

Migration Conference

The Institute for Migration and Development Issues is inviting everyone to Pursuing Efficiency and Meaning by ‘Changemakers:’ The Second National Conference on Filipino Migrant Philanthropy, set August 1 and 2 at the University of Santo Tomas-Thomas Aquinas Research Complex. Participation costs P500 per person .Inquiries and expressions of interest may be sent online (ofw_philanthropy@yahoo.com) and by mobile phone (+639178238260).

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of economy – Gov. Marquez

Kalibo, Aklan -- “If taxes are the lifeblood of the government, entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the economy”.

This was Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez’ way of praising Aklan’s Small and Medium Entrepreneurs here, when he gave his message at the opening program of the SME Forum held June 18 at the Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot Tourism and Training here.

The activity, spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry here under Provincial Director Ermelinda Pollentes, was held in support of Aklan’s micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs).

The activity was an opportunity for the MSMEs to exchange ideas, discuss concerns and be updated on issues or events affecting their respective industry sectors.

“The theme of the National SMED Week, ‘Ang Galing Mo Pinoy! Go Negosyo’ is a very appropriate theme, as we focus on our SMEs, who help us pave the way from poverty to prosperity. SMEs have the whole support of the provincial government, and no matter how small our budget is, there is always something for our Aklan SMEs”, Governor Marquez said.

He also told the group that the provincial government has started improving the trade fair venue at the Goding Ramos Park at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, so that in the forthcoming trade fairs and product showcases here, the area will be more convenient and spacious for the exhibitors.

He also reminded the entrepreneurs to be sincere and transparent in their dealings with their clients, and never violate the rights of others.

“We Filipinos have the capacity of starting small and ending big. There are many people who are models of entrepreneurship, including Aklanons. One I can cite is the departed former mayor of Batan, Mayor Herodutos Ramos, who started his venture as a cottage industry that became a plastics empire. As the economic backbone of the province, let us make Aklan progressive, and then we can say ‘Ang galing mo Aklanon! Go Negosyo!’, Gov. marquez said.

For her part, DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Ermelinda Pollentes said figures are on the uptrend as far as SMEs in Aklan are concerned. She said the number of investments is up and growing; many Aklanons have jobs triggered by the SMEs, and many businesses have sought registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SECs).

Pollentes said the flourishing of business in Boracay Island is a big advantage for Aklan’s SMEs, so products should always be upgraded, innovated and developed to compete with other SMEs from other provinces which also make Boracay as a market for their products.

“We are also doing our best to make business in Aklan environmentally-friendly, together with other concerned agencies here,” Pollentes assured everyone.

The SME forum was attended by SMED members coming from the different government agencies here, small and medium entrepreneurs and the local media. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

P15 million Aklan River irrigation rehab project to start soon – NIA

Kalibo, Aklan –The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) here is ready to implement the repair and rehabilitation of the Aklan River Irrigation System.

The river irrigation/rehab has a budget of P15 million, which is funded under the P1.0 billion allocation program of the NIA.

According to NIA-Aklan, it has already prepared a program of works for the project which includes Contract Works with an estimated cost of P10,156,018.95; force account works, P2,675,731.50; institutional development, P675,358.55; overhead cost, P742,891.00; and management fee, P750,000, for a total of P15,000,000.

NIA-Aklan revealed that a public bidding under contract works was conducted by the Regional Bids and Awards Committee headed by the Chairman, Engr. Oliver A. Cervantes recently at the NIA office in Linabuan Sur, Banga, Aklan.

The winning bidder, G.F. Rovero Merchandizing, is set to construct the 2.65 kilometers Bench Flume.

NIA-Aklan revealed that the project will rehabilitate 680 hectares of irrigated rice lands in the municipalities of Kalibo, Banga and New Washington in the eastern side and Lezo and Makato in western side, serving 836 farmer beneficiaries.

This NIA project is seen to increase Aklan’s rice production and enhance the hybrid rice program of the provincial government here. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Bantay Boracay bares One Entry, One Exit Policy results

By Ulyses Espartero

KALIBO, Aklan - Under the leadership of Police Senior Supt. Benigno B. Durana, Jr., the Task Force Bantay Boracay recently bared the results of the One Entry, One Exit Policy.

The implementation resulted to the following: “resolved the long-standing problem of pumpboats moored along the white beach at the three boat stations, depriving tourists of a safe swimming area and polluting the all-important beach with oil and other wastes from motorboats and their operators enforced port-to-port disembarkation and embarkation for tourists, and assure full inspection of passengers and their cargoes.”

The policy, an initiative of the provincial board, has the full endorsement of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Marina, the latter to effectively regulate the operation of sea craft in the area and get rid of what media has called the ‘primitive’ and ‘backward’ tourist transport to and from the island. Before the implementation of the policy, porters carried tourists in their shoulders to and from the flatboats.

The Caticlan Jetty Port and Passenger Terminal (CJPPT) in mainland Malay and Cagban Jetty Port in Barangay Manoc-Manoc in the island were placed under the operation of EEDD, according to Asst. Department Head Rex Consemino.

In 2006, Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez signed a Memorandum of Agreement with DOT and Marina relative to the implementation of Provincial Ordinance No. 05-016 creating the Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD).

Under the agreement, the Marina now accredits persons and entities engaged in the business of delivering tourism-oriented services upon the endorsement of the provincial government of their application. It will also lead in the conduct of the continuing trainings and reeducation process of all persons involved in the operation of tourism business.

CJPPT Administrator Architect Niven Maquirang confirmed that Marina established a satellite office at the jetty port for accreditation purposes.

As a response to the growing clamor for change in the transport system, DOT Regional Director Edwin Trompeta and Marina Regional Director Armi Arcilla endorsed the full implementation of the provincial government’s policy. The endorsement was made in a bid to streamline and put in order the movement of tourists, goods, and sea and land transports to and from the island.

Folks grieve for two heroes

KALIBO, Aklan- Residents of Barangay Mandong in Batan here are in grief for the death of the two people whom they consider as heroes.

Last Monday, Batan folks mourned as many of them boarded their vehicles and waited for the arrival of the remains of the 26-year-old Corporal Jonard Alianza.

Alianza, a member of the Philippine Marines, was among those 14 killed and mutilated by the suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Basilan.

After Alianza’s body was flown over to the Iloilo Airport via the C-130 military plane, it was fetched by a 6-by-6 vehicle of the 12th Infantry Batallion, Philippine Army based in Camp Libas, Banga Aklan.

The fallen marine was welcomed by a motorcade by a group of residents as he was nearing his hometown.

This July 18, thousands of residents are expected to troop the Kalibo Airport to wait for the remains of another local hero 63-year-old Herodutos Ramos, a former mayor of the town, who had ruled for three consecutive terms.

Ramos died in Manila Doctors Hospital on July 13 at 7 pm, due to a lingering illness.
Ramos is considered as a local hero as he was instrumental to the significant change on the lives of the residents when he assumed his post in 1998. Batan is considered the seafood capital of Aklan.

"He paved way for economic development for providing basic infrastructures such as farm to market roads, and prioritized health, and peace and order," said a town resident who requested anonymity.

Despite failing to graduate in school because of poverty, Ramos became successful in plastic manufacturing business in Metro Manila.

To pay respect for the death of the two heroes, half-mast flags are already ordered by the Batan municipal government in all schools and government institutions.
Alianza and Ramos are expected to be buried on July 21, 2007.

Soldiers, Aklanons plant 19,000 trees today

Kalibo, Aklan-- Some 19,000 trees today, July 18, will be planted by soldiers of the 47th Infantry Battalion, personnel of the Aklan Community Defense Center, government workers from the national and local government units and students as part of their contribution to the government’s Green Philippines program.

According to the Capt. Antonio Tumnog of the 47th IB based in Camp Jizmundo, Libas, Banga, the planting area for the activities is at Brgy. Panayakan in Tangalan, Aklan. The tree planting activity starts at 8:00 a.m.

Of the 19,000 tree seedlings for the tree planting activity, seven thousand were provided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources here, while the 12,000 seedlings, consisting of fruit and non-fruitbearing trees, were propagated by the personnel of the Aklan Community Defense Center.

The Aklan Community Defense Center group is joined in the activity by schools here with ROTC units like the Aklan State University and the Northwestern Visayan Colleges. The Aklan 1st Ready Reserve Battalion is also with the CDC group.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, along with other national government government agencies, civic and volunteer groups, are also joining the tree planting.

The tree planting activity in Aklan initiated by the soldiers was originally scheduled June 29 and was reset for today.

Capt. Tumnog said the tree planting today is just a kick-off activity as the Philippine Army aims to continue this program not only in Aklan or in Western Visayas but in the whole country. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

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Monday, July 16, 2007

Philned sought Visayas-wide ‘poster-free’ tourism zones

By MICHAEL S. RESTERIO
BORACAY Island- The Philippine Network for Eco-Tourism Development (PhilNed), a non-government organization based here and in Metro Manila, have sought the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the provincial government of the tourism areas and the youth federations network to campaign for a 'poster-free' tourism zones here in Visayas.
Dadjmar Amores of PhilNed said they have already informed the DENR of their concern on the latter's presentation and updates for environment projects and activities recently held in this resort island.
The campaign is already being supported by the United East Visayan Community in Eastern Visayas headed by Ronel Alicer, along with several youth organizations.
The campaign is specifically to seek for banning of commercial and political posters using tarpaulins and panaflex signage.
Amores cited an example of several cellular phone networks having a network war on publicity by displaying a number of posters, resulting to abuse of environment and an eye sore for both foreign and local tourists here in the island.
"We understand the business side of these promotional ventures. But most of these Manila-based companies claimed that they are environment-friendly in their campaigns but the results proved otherwise," Amores said.
Because of this, the Philned recommends that tourism areas should provide common strategic areas for publicity materials and suggests the use of recyclable objects such as plywoods instead of tarpaulins.
"We will even like to ask the companies to hire local artists for their publicity materials as it will not only encourage creativity but also provide livelihood among the locals," Amores said.

Kin asks Arroyo to give justice to Alianza's death

By Michael S. Resterio
KALIBO, Aklan- The family of beheaded marine Leonard Alianza wants President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to give justice to the former's brutal death in Basilan recently.Alianza was one of the 14 marines who were beheaded by believed to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The President gave the marines full military honors.
Alianza's mother, Mila of Barangay Mandong Batan, Aklan, said that her son’s decapitated body is scheduled to be flown over to the Kalibo Airport by a C-130 plane this week.
"I do not want my son to join the marine but he insisted and said he could protect himself from harm because he’s a criminology graduate," said Alianza’s mother.
Last year, Alianza was promoted to a corporal rank from a private first class after he was among those marine groups who killed Abu Sayyaf leader Khadafy Janjalani in a legitimate military operation.
Unconfirmed reports said that Alianza refused to be promoted to a corporal rank if his other colleagues who joined the operation will not be given due honors too.
Alianza, who graduated from the Northwest Visayas College here, went to Manila and worked as a security guard in a commercial bank after failing the Philippine Coast Guard examination.
After several months of working, he went home to Batan and passed the examinations after a councilor from nearby town encouraged him to join the marines.
After he finished his training, he was immediately deployed to Mindanao and became a full pledged marine of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

DA orders thorough probe on Quedancor fund mess

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has ordered a thorough audit of the loan portfolio of the Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corp. (Quedancor) due to the more than P500 million unexplained losses to the government.

In a press conference during the 34th anniversary celebration of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) held in Tigbauan, Iloilo on Friday, Yap said information reached him on the mounting complaints from hog raisers in Western Visayas on the non-assurance of contracts by farmers and Quedancor regarding the loan assistance in feeds and other inputs needed to enhance the hog industry.

Initial investigation revealed that in 2005, a shortage of pork meat in the local market was reported. Then DA Secretary Luisito 'Cito' Lorenzo ordered Quedancor, thru its president Nelson Buenaflor, to release funds for the hog industry, which will be lent directly to hog raisers for them to buy hogs and the needed feeds and other inputs.

More than P500 million were released by Quedancor for the program.

However, many farmers and hog raisers particularly in the Western Visayas region, complained of not receiving such assistance from Quedancor.

When asked what happened to the supposed program and where the fund is now, Yap said Quedancor could not clearly explain the status of the project.

Buenaflor has been on leave and could not reach for comment since the issue was brought out in public. A reliable source from the DA said he (Buenaflor) filed an indefinite leave for his graceful exit from the agency.

At present, Quedancor is being run by its management committee until Malacanang appoints Buenaflor's replacement.

Quedancor is one of the government financial institutions (GFIs) that has been ordered revamped by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

"As chairman of the Board, I asked the Quedancor management committee to come out with a report on its portfolio," Yap said.

He also directed the Commission on Audit (COA) for a complete auditing of the Quedancor funds to determine the exact amount involved in the fund mess.

"To appreciate the true picture of Quedancor, we need to start based on accurate financial figures," Yap stressed. (PNA)

Aklan all set for POPCEN 2007

Kalibo, Aklan -- The province of Aklan is all set for the conduct of the 2007 National Census of Population (POPCEN) this month of August.

Provincial Statistics Officer Blas M. Solidum said materials for the census have started arriving in Aklan already.

Trainings for various groups who will supervise the census had been held already, after which will follow the training for the 212 enumerators who will go around barangays here for the national activity.

Solidum said POPCEN aims to take an inventory of the total population of the Philippines and collect information about their characteristics which are vital in the formulation of policies and programs for development.

Covered in this year’s census are all households in Aklan including institutional population of hospitals, military camps and rehabilitation centers, Solidum bared in a recent radio interview here.

“We call on the full cooperation of Aklanons in this Census of Population. Your answers to the questionnaires are very important for the government planners and legislators to formulate plans and laws for your benefit. The result of the census will determine how many schools still have to be built in our province and how many teachers still need to be hired, among a few”, Solidum explained.

Solidum added that the total number of a province’ population will determine the amount of Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) it should be given by the national government.

The result of this year’s census could also determine if Aklan could already be divided into two Congressional Districts; and if a city could already be created in Aklan.

“People should not be afraid to answer the questions in the census. The National Statistics Office assures confidentiality in the census, nobody else will see their answers. We just appeal to them to give the correct answers and information”, Solidum said.

“Be counted in the 2007 Census of Population”, Solidum implored Aklanons. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)