American band Stephen Speaks will be holding a concert in Iloilo in January and will be donating part of the ticket sales to scholars of one of the universities in the province, said the group’s concert organizer.
Paul Chatman was here Tuesday to check on the possibility for the band’s concert in this resort island this coming January.
"Aside from performing, Stephen Speaks will provide humanitarian efforts for many Filipinos. Among them are his exclusive meet ups at the Saxxys Bar and Grill in Iloilo," said Chatman.
The organizers will give 15 percent from the proceeds of the ticket sales to the scholars of the University of San Agustin in Iloilo.
The band is also expected to visit the soldiers injured during the Marawi siege at the V. Luna Hospital in Quezon City during their Philippine leg concert this 2018, said the group’s concert organizer.
Stephen Speaks will perform before the Ilonggo crowd at the said University on January 18.
Aside from the Iloilo leg of the concert, Stephen Speaks will also perform in other key cities in the country, including Cebu and Davao.
The American band will also be performing in Manila on February 17 in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City.
Stephen Speaks has long been known for their hit songs “Passenger Seat” and “Out of my League”.
The band first performed in the Philippines in 2005.
Miyerkules, Disyembre 27, 2017
Martes, Disyembre 19, 2017
Aklan gov seeks permanent solution to Boracay flooding, environmental woes
Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores urged local engineers here to look for permanent solutions to the frequent flooding in this resort island and other environmental woes.
Miraflores said on Tuesday that he already met with the Engineering District of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Aklan and the Provincial Engineers Office to study permanent solutions.
“I was also told the Tourism Infrastructure Economic Zone Authority will do its work for a drainage network in Boracay by January 2018. I have also instructed the engineers to study permanent solutions to the landslide-prone areas in Tulingon Road, Nabas, Aklan,” Miraflores said.
Residents in Nabas reported the hill in the Tulingon Highway was already leaking, thus causing frequent landslides during heavy rains.
During the onslaught of Typhoon Urduja last Sunday, motorists, including tourists on buses bound to and from Boracay Island, were rerouted because of a series of landslide incidents in Nabas.
As a result, the local government of Nabas, Aklan, declared the town under a state of calamity on Monday.
“The flooding of Boracay and the frequent landslide incidents in Nabas may take longer-term solutions. We are doing it one solution at a time. The important thing for now is stakeholders in Boracay, residents, government and non-governmental agencies must be united to help minimize the effects of climate change,” he said.
Meanwhile, the local government of Malay, Aklan, is allocating P10 million for road-improvement projects for next year, said Jimmy Maming, executive assistant to the mayors office. Around 90 percent of the road networks in this resort island was submerged by flood as typhoon Urduja came near last Sunday.
“The budget was not yet enough to fill the road. We need the help of the Aklan provincial government and the DPWH for this endeavor,” Maming said.
Malay Councilor Nenette Graf said that, aside from floods, other Urduja-related incidents in this resort island were reported such as a fire incident fronting Balabbag Elementary School and a capsized boat where around 1,000 passengers were stranded both at the Caticlan and Cagban Jetty Ports.
As of this writing, the Boracay Island Water Co. reported a weeklong limited supply of potable water for this resort island as their reservoir has been affected by the floods.
A security guard from the Movenpick Resort was reportedly injured.
Meanwhile, Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling suspended all classes in the municipality Monday to give way to clearing operations brought by floods in Boracay and in mainland Malay.
He also commended different rescue volunteers, the Philippine Red Cross in Boracay and other organizations to stand guard against the Urduja onslaught. The province of Aklan has declared zero casualty after the typhoon.
Linggo, Disyembre 10, 2017
Kalibo hotel association laments the decreasing number of visitors
The Kalibo Ati-Atihan Accommodation Association is lamenting the decreasing number of clients and has asked different government agencies to help them.
Gerwin Garcia, association president, said the decreasing number was attributed to the recent expansion of the Caticlan Airport in Malay, Aklan.
The town of Kalibo currently has around 1,200 rooms scattered from different hotels and inns.
“We observed a decrease of around 70 percent of the number of clients from the previous years. Despite the decrease, we note that the number of hotels in Kalibo is still increasing,” Garcia said.
The expansion of the Caticlan Airport in Malay has increased the number of its regular flights there, making other tourists to fly directly. For several years, the Kalibo International Airport was a major gateway to Boracay.
Although the Kalibo International Airport is currently being expanded, the expansion would still take three years.
The expanded Caticlan Airport was opened to the public during the last quarter of 2016.
“It is a good thing right now that hotels in Kalibo are picking up clients in time for the Kalibo Santo Niño Ati-Atihan Festival this January. We are worried about our fate after the Ati-Atihan revelry,” he said.
Already, several hotels reported dismissing several employees due to lack of clients.
“We have been in discussion with both the Aklan provincial government and the local government of Kalibo. We are proposing to make Kalibo an independent tourism destination, not dependent on tourists coming to Boracay,” Garcia said.
The Kalibo town has no “night life” to lure tourists to stay overnight in different hotels here.
Gerwin Garcia, association president, said the decreasing number was attributed to the recent expansion of the Caticlan Airport in Malay, Aklan.
The town of Kalibo currently has around 1,200 rooms scattered from different hotels and inns.
“We observed a decrease of around 70 percent of the number of clients from the previous years. Despite the decrease, we note that the number of hotels in Kalibo is still increasing,” Garcia said.
The expansion of the Caticlan Airport in Malay has increased the number of its regular flights there, making other tourists to fly directly. For several years, the Kalibo International Airport was a major gateway to Boracay.
Although the Kalibo International Airport is currently being expanded, the expansion would still take three years.
The expanded Caticlan Airport was opened to the public during the last quarter of 2016.
“It is a good thing right now that hotels in Kalibo are picking up clients in time for the Kalibo Santo Niño Ati-Atihan Festival this January. We are worried about our fate after the Ati-Atihan revelry,” he said.
Already, several hotels reported dismissing several employees due to lack of clients.
“We have been in discussion with both the Aklan provincial government and the local government of Kalibo. We are proposing to make Kalibo an independent tourism destination, not dependent on tourists coming to Boracay,” Garcia said.
The Kalibo town has no “night life” to lure tourists to stay overnight in different hotels here.
Biyernes, Disyembre 8, 2017
Bodybuilders to gather in Boracay
Hundreds of bodybuilders are expected to come to this world-famous island for this year’s leg of the Boracay Bodybuilding Championships.
The contest is supported by different government agencies and private organizations.
Organizer Georgen dela Cuesta said the contestants are from all over the country and abroad.
“We also anticipate the arrival of different personalities in bodybuilding such as Rowena Walters,” dela Cuesta said on Wednesday.
Walters – who is an accredited judge of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness – is the president of the Philippine Committee of Bodybuilding and Fitness (PCBF). Her vice president, Mike Daude, will also be present during the event.
Felix Delos Santos, chief tourism officer of the Malay local government, and Isser Harrel Magbanua, alien control officer and the provincial chief immigration officer of the Bureau of Immigration, will be judging the bodybuilding competition, said dela Cuesta.
This year’s leg marks the 15th anniversary of the bodybuilding contest, which will be on Dec. 16 at Charlie’s Steakhouse and Diner in Station 1 of the island resort.
PCBF is the affiliated with the International Federation of BodyBuildng and Fitness (IFBB), the official governing body for the sport of bodybuilding and fitness recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia./
The contest is supported by different government agencies and private organizations.
Organizer Georgen dela Cuesta said the contestants are from all over the country and abroad.
“We also anticipate the arrival of different personalities in bodybuilding such as Rowena Walters,” dela Cuesta said on Wednesday.
Walters – who is an accredited judge of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness – is the president of the Philippine Committee of Bodybuilding and Fitness (PCBF). Her vice president, Mike Daude, will also be present during the event.
Felix Delos Santos, chief tourism officer of the Malay local government, and Isser Harrel Magbanua, alien control officer and the provincial chief immigration officer of the Bureau of Immigration, will be judging the bodybuilding competition, said dela Cuesta.
This year’s leg marks the 15th anniversary of the bodybuilding contest, which will be on Dec. 16 at Charlie’s Steakhouse and Diner in Station 1 of the island resort.
PCBF is the affiliated with the International Federation of BodyBuildng and Fitness (IFBB), the official governing body for the sport of bodybuilding and fitness recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia./
Miyerkules, Disyembre 6, 2017
Officials optimistic 2 million tourists visit Boracay in 2017
The Aklan provincial government is confident 2 million tourists will visit this resort island this year.
Niven Maquirang, jetty-port administrator, said that early this year, they already targeted 2 million tourists to visit Boracay in 2017.
“From January to November 30 this year, we already registered 1.828 million tourists in Boracay,” Maquirang said.
Already, the figure is higher compared to that of 2016 year-round arrivals, which reached 1.7 million. This year’s tourist arrival is, so far, considered the highest number of tourist arrivals for Boracay.
“We are still monitoring data if we could indeed reach 2 million tourists this year. Once we reach the desired target, we could then study how many tourists we desire for 2018,” Maquirang said.
At least 10 cruise ships from all over the world visit the island every year, testifying to the potential of the island to become a cruise-ship hub in the region.
Also, the continued awards received by Boracay as among the best beaches in the world is a factor for the increasing number of tourists in the island.
Recently, Boracay was named among the top 10 destinations for kids in Asia. At least two national pageants also hold their event here in Boracay—the bikini portion of the Miss World-Philippines and the evening-gown competition for Miss Asia Pacific International.
Niven Maquirang, jetty-port administrator, said that early this year, they already targeted 2 million tourists to visit Boracay in 2017.
“From January to November 30 this year, we already registered 1.828 million tourists in Boracay,” Maquirang said.
Already, the figure is higher compared to that of 2016 year-round arrivals, which reached 1.7 million. This year’s tourist arrival is, so far, considered the highest number of tourist arrivals for Boracay.
“We are still monitoring data if we could indeed reach 2 million tourists this year. Once we reach the desired target, we could then study how many tourists we desire for 2018,” Maquirang said.
At least 10 cruise ships from all over the world visit the island every year, testifying to the potential of the island to become a cruise-ship hub in the region.
Also, the continued awards received by Boracay as among the best beaches in the world is a factor for the increasing number of tourists in the island.
Recently, Boracay was named among the top 10 destinations for kids in Asia. At least two national pageants also hold their event here in Boracay—the bikini portion of the Miss World-Philippines and the evening-gown competition for Miss Asia Pacific International.
Lunes, Disyembre 4, 2017
Linggo, Disyembre 3, 2017
Boracay resorts told to give discounts to seniors
A member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) reminded resort owners in this island to give discounts to senior citizens.
SP member Nemesio Neron said due to the huge number of business establishments in the island, the provincial government finds it hard to monitor if all of them are giving discounts to senior citizens.
Under Republic Acts 9994 and 10645, senior citizens are entitled to several privileges and benefits, including the 20 percent discount in products and services like those in hotels and restaurants.
“Providing them proper services would make Boracay tourist-friendly for senior citizens,” said Neron, who is the chairman of SP committee on senior citizens.
Neron added that the SP members are willing to listen to the concerns and grievances of senior citizens coming to the island resort especially this Christmas season.
SP member Nemesio Neron said due to the huge number of business establishments in the island, the provincial government finds it hard to monitor if all of them are giving discounts to senior citizens.
Under Republic Acts 9994 and 10645, senior citizens are entitled to several privileges and benefits, including the 20 percent discount in products and services like those in hotels and restaurants.
“Providing them proper services would make Boracay tourist-friendly for senior citizens,” said Neron, who is the chairman of SP committee on senior citizens.
Neron added that the SP members are willing to listen to the concerns and grievances of senior citizens coming to the island resort especially this Christmas season.
Lunes, Nobyembre 27, 2017
BORACAY WOES: Priest warns of tourism ‘damage’ if environment problems persist
“Boracay may be like the ruins in Marawi if the tourism industry fails due to environmental degradation.”
Father Jose Tudd Belandres fielded this warning amid environmental issues confronting this world-famous island.
Belandres – who is the island’s Catholic parish priest – said they have coordinated with Environment secretary Roy Cimatu to respond to Boracay’s environmental condition.
Belandres added that the island residents, especially the poor, will be “most affected” when the tourism industry bugs down. He said, “Stakeholders could just leave Boracay anytime and transfer to different destinations.”
By “stakeholders”, Belandres means some government officials and business owners in the island resort.
Just this month, the Office of the Ombudsman in Visayas issued an order removing from the service five senior officials of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).
The 18-page decision that Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente penned dismissed PENRO head Ivene Reyes, PENRO supervising ecosystem management specialist Joanne Adaniel, PENRO land management inspector Alvaro Nonan, PENRO senior ecosystems management specialist Nilo Subong, and PENRO forest technician Cesar Guarino.
A few days after the suspension of the PENRO officials, residents in Barangay Manoc-manoc reported seeing a group of men working for the construction of a private resort in the island.
The private resort will have its own port, the residents added.
The men, whose names were not identified, allegedly said Cimatu gave them a “go signal” to build the private port.
The local government of Malay ordered to stop the construction after finding that it had no permits. It also ordered for the demolition of the already completed concrete structure at the beach.
Moreover, 15 trucks from Boracay have been discovered to have dumped septic waste in Barangay Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan.
John Peter Madula, head of the enforcement section of the Solid Waste Management Service Unit of Kalibo, said his team along with some PENRO personnel inspected the area.
“Based on our initial investigation, the septic waste was dumped by the contractor of the Boracay Island Water Company, Inc., an Ayala-affiliated company,” Madula told Panay News. “The contractor started bringing the septic waste in Barangay Tigayon on Nov. 9.”
Madula added that his team could have not discovered the company’s activity if it were not for the report they received after one of the trucks spilled the waste on the road.
“This prompted us to investigate,” said Madula.
A representative from the Boracay Island Water Company, Inc. told Madula that they contracted the BP Truck and Hauling Services for the transportation of the biosolids, which were supposed to be used as organic fertilizer in an eight-hectare farm lot in Barangay Tigayon.
Currently, the local government of Kalibo is preparing charges for economic sabotage against Boracay Island Water Company, Inc.
Meanwhile, the local government of Malay and the Boracay Foundation, Inc. (BFI) has asked the Congress for a conference that will tackle Boracay’s environmental problems.
Malay councilor Nette Graf, also the BFI president, attended the conference in Manila and said she asked for additional budget to fund programs that will solve the island’s environmental problems.
“We know the problems already so they should provide Malay with a bigger budget. Our tourism receipt contribution last year was P48 billion but what’s coming back to us is merely P440 million, not even 10 percent of our contribution,” said Graf./
Father Jose Tudd Belandres fielded this warning amid environmental issues confronting this world-famous island.
Belandres – who is the island’s Catholic parish priest – said they have coordinated with Environment secretary Roy Cimatu to respond to Boracay’s environmental condition.
Belandres added that the island residents, especially the poor, will be “most affected” when the tourism industry bugs down. He said, “Stakeholders could just leave Boracay anytime and transfer to different destinations.”
By “stakeholders”, Belandres means some government officials and business owners in the island resort.
Just this month, the Office of the Ombudsman in Visayas issued an order removing from the service five senior officials of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).
The 18-page decision that Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente penned dismissed PENRO head Ivene Reyes, PENRO supervising ecosystem management specialist Joanne Adaniel, PENRO land management inspector Alvaro Nonan, PENRO senior ecosystems management specialist Nilo Subong, and PENRO forest technician Cesar Guarino.
A few days after the suspension of the PENRO officials, residents in Barangay Manoc-manoc reported seeing a group of men working for the construction of a private resort in the island.
The private resort will have its own port, the residents added.
The men, whose names were not identified, allegedly said Cimatu gave them a “go signal” to build the private port.
The local government of Malay ordered to stop the construction after finding that it had no permits. It also ordered for the demolition of the already completed concrete structure at the beach.
Moreover, 15 trucks from Boracay have been discovered to have dumped septic waste in Barangay Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan.
John Peter Madula, head of the enforcement section of the Solid Waste Management Service Unit of Kalibo, said his team along with some PENRO personnel inspected the area.
“Based on our initial investigation, the septic waste was dumped by the contractor of the Boracay Island Water Company, Inc., an Ayala-affiliated company,” Madula told Panay News. “The contractor started bringing the septic waste in Barangay Tigayon on Nov. 9.”
Madula added that his team could have not discovered the company’s activity if it were not for the report they received after one of the trucks spilled the waste on the road.
“This prompted us to investigate,” said Madula.
A representative from the Boracay Island Water Company, Inc. told Madula that they contracted the BP Truck and Hauling Services for the transportation of the biosolids, which were supposed to be used as organic fertilizer in an eight-hectare farm lot in Barangay Tigayon.
Currently, the local government of Kalibo is preparing charges for economic sabotage against Boracay Island Water Company, Inc.
Meanwhile, the local government of Malay and the Boracay Foundation, Inc. (BFI) has asked the Congress for a conference that will tackle Boracay’s environmental problems.
Malay councilor Nette Graf, also the BFI president, attended the conference in Manila and said she asked for additional budget to fund programs that will solve the island’s environmental problems.
“We know the problems already so they should provide Malay with a bigger budget. Our tourism receipt contribution last year was P48 billion but what’s coming back to us is merely P440 million, not even 10 percent of our contribution,” said Graf./
Sabado, Nobyembre 25, 2017
Miss Asia Pacific Int’l candidates in Boracay Island
Some 42 candidates of Miss Asia Pacific International were in this island resort last night for their evening gown competition.
Miss Asia Pacific International is the oldest beauty pageant in Asia. It started in 1968.
The evening gown competition was held in Movenpick Resort and Spa.
Gretchen Tan, an Aklanon LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) beauty queen, was the makeup artist of Philippine candidate Ilene Astria De Vera.
De Vera earlier won best in festival costume and got the second place in the pageant’s swimsuit competition.
Today, the candidates will head to Batangas for another pageant activity.
The coronation will be on Nov. 29 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila.
Biyernes, Nobyembre 24, 2017
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Martes, Nobyembre 14, 2017
Police secure ASEAN cooperation meeting in Boracay
The Aklan Provincial Police Office (APPO) together with the Joint Task Force Boracay has expressed readiness to secure the holding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) in this resort island which started on Tuesday.
"We were told to expect 30-50 ASEAN delegates coming to Boracay. They will be discussing technical framework on Intellectual Property Cooperation," said SP01 Nida Gregas, APPO information officer.
She said the organizers informed the police only last minute of the holding of the ASEAN gab which would conclude on November 17.
The ASEAN meeting will be held at the Hennan Resorts here.
The Aklan PNP leadership convened at the Camp Pastor Martelino in Barangay New Buswang, Kalibo Monday afternoon to discuss security procedure for ASEAN.
"The Police Regional Office-Western Visayas has already sent 32 men to help augment police troops. Aside from the regional augmentation, the Joint Task Force: Boracay have already started securing the resort island.
The task force includes the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Navy, and Philippine Coast Guard, among others.
"We appeal to tourists coming to Boracay to expect tighter security procedures upon their arrival at the jetty ports. The Joint Task Force: Boracay also regularly conducts patrolling at the beach," Gregas said.
"We were told to expect 30-50 ASEAN delegates coming to Boracay. They will be discussing technical framework on Intellectual Property Cooperation," said SP01 Nida Gregas, APPO information officer.
She said the organizers informed the police only last minute of the holding of the ASEAN gab which would conclude on November 17.
The ASEAN meeting will be held at the Hennan Resorts here.
The Aklan PNP leadership convened at the Camp Pastor Martelino in Barangay New Buswang, Kalibo Monday afternoon to discuss security procedure for ASEAN.
"The Police Regional Office-Western Visayas has already sent 32 men to help augment police troops. Aside from the regional augmentation, the Joint Task Force: Boracay have already started securing the resort island.
The task force includes the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Navy, and Philippine Coast Guard, among others.
"We appeal to tourists coming to Boracay to expect tighter security procedures upon their arrival at the jetty ports. The Joint Task Force: Boracay also regularly conducts patrolling at the beach," Gregas said.
Huwebes, Nobyembre 9, 2017
5 cruise ships to visit Boracay
At least five cruise ships are expected to arrive in this resort island before the year ends, an official of the Caticlan Jetty Ports administration said Thursday.
Jetty port administrator Niven Maquirang said at least two of these cruise ships have already confirmed their arrival.
"The MS Millennium is expected to return to Boracay on November 21. The MS World Dream is also set to dock first time on November 22," Maquirang said.
The MS Millennium is the 11th cruise ship to arrive in Boracay this year.
The MS World Dream is expected to bring with it some 4,000 passengers and some 1,900 crews.
MS World Dream is also expected to stay for nine hours in the seas of Boracay.
Its passengers will be transported via a boat and will roam around different malls and souvenir shops in this resort island.
Jetty port administrator Niven Maquirang said at least two of these cruise ships have already confirmed their arrival.
"The MS Millennium is expected to return to Boracay on November 21. The MS World Dream is also set to dock first time on November 22," Maquirang said.
The MS Millennium is the 11th cruise ship to arrive in Boracay this year.
The MS World Dream is expected to bring with it some 4,000 passengers and some 1,900 crews.
MS World Dream is also expected to stay for nine hours in the seas of Boracay.
Its passengers will be transported via a boat and will roam around different malls and souvenir shops in this resort island.
Miyerkules, Nobyembre 8, 2017
Boracay to host Nov. 14 ASEAN meeting
This resort island will again host the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) meeting this November 14-17.
Rowen Aguirre, executive director of the Joint Task Force: Boracay (JTF), on Wednesday said security procedures had been discussed and task force members are now on red alert to ensure the safety of the arrival of both the organizers and ASEAN delegates in this resort island.
Members of the task force include the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Coast Guard, among others.
"We are ready for deployment since we will be following what we have done during the ASEAN meeting held in this resort island February of this year," Aguirre said.
"The information as of this time is sketchy but we were told by the ASEAN organizers that Boracay will be holding the meeting on the ASEAN Intellectual Property Office," he said in an interview.
The venue will be held at the Hennan Resort in this island.
Rowen Aguirre, executive director of the Joint Task Force: Boracay (JTF), on Wednesday said security procedures had been discussed and task force members are now on red alert to ensure the safety of the arrival of both the organizers and ASEAN delegates in this resort island.
Members of the task force include the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Coast Guard, among others.
"We are ready for deployment since we will be following what we have done during the ASEAN meeting held in this resort island February of this year," Aguirre said.
"The information as of this time is sketchy but we were told by the ASEAN organizers that Boracay will be holding the meeting on the ASEAN Intellectual Property Office," he said in an interview.
The venue will be held at the Hennan Resort in this island.
Sabado, Nobyembre 4, 2017
JTF Boracay undergoes training
Members of the Joint Task Force in this word-famous island underwent a two-day training on intelligence analysis, maintaining cyber security and combating foreign adversaries.
Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Alexander Gordon was the resource speaker of the training.
Gordon, who is also the assistant legal attaché of the United States Embassy in Manila, spoke before around 60 participants at the Eurotel Boracay.
The training was held from Oct. 24 to 25 and was organized by the local government of Malay, Aklan.
Participating Joint Task Force members include personnel from the Philippine National and its Special Weapons and Tactics team, the Philippine Army, the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and their auxiliary and intelligence officers./
Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Alexander Gordon was the resource speaker of the training.
Gordon, who is also the assistant legal attaché of the United States Embassy in Manila, spoke before around 60 participants at the Eurotel Boracay.
The training was held from Oct. 24 to 25 and was organized by the local government of Malay, Aklan.
Participating Joint Task Force members include personnel from the Philippine National and its Special Weapons and Tactics team, the Philippine Army, the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard, and their auxiliary and intelligence officers./
Miyerkules, Nobyembre 1, 2017
Bohol, Boracay named among top 10 destinations for kids in Asia
The province of Bohol and the island of Boracay had been included in the top 10 best destinations for kids in Asia.
The web site Poor Travellers said Bohol province ranked fifth, and the island of Boracay was at sixth.
The web site, however, cautions tourists coming to both Bohol and Boracay with kids to coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to ensure the welfare of the children.
The first in the lists was Tokyo, Japan, because of both its Disneyland and Disney Sea destination; followed by Hong Kong, which also has its own version of Disneyland. The third was Seoul, South Korea, and the fourth was Singapore for their Universal Studio.
The fifth was Bohol because of its tarsier. It was followed by Boracay which features its white, beach and other water-sports activities.
The seventh was Osaka and Kyoto in Japan. No. 8 was Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; ninth was Bali, Indonesia; and tenth was Johor Baru, Malaysia.
The web site Poor Travellers said Bohol province ranked fifth, and the island of Boracay was at sixth.
The web site, however, cautions tourists coming to both Bohol and Boracay with kids to coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development to ensure the welfare of the children.
The first in the lists was Tokyo, Japan, because of both its Disneyland and Disney Sea destination; followed by Hong Kong, which also has its own version of Disneyland. The third was Seoul, South Korea, and the fourth was Singapore for their Universal Studio.
The fifth was Bohol because of its tarsier. It was followed by Boracay which features its white, beach and other water-sports activities.
The seventh was Osaka and Kyoto in Japan. No. 8 was Dubai in the United Arab Emirates; ninth was Bali, Indonesia; and tenth was Johor Baru, Malaysia.
Linggo, Oktubre 29, 2017
Martes, Oktubre 24, 2017
Boracay waitpersons join beachfront race
Some 30 waiters and waitresses working in various restaurants in this world-famous island joined the second Waiters’ Race.
The race – initiated by the Italian Food Specialist, Inc. – was held on Oct. 21, organizer Jorge Billedo said.
Participants were made to walk the 1.5-kilometer beachfront while holding a glass of red wine.
Whoever finishes first with the least amount of wine spillage wins.
The wind and some tourists blocking the way challenged the participants, said Italian Chef Massimo Lamagne.
“The race aims to recognize the efficiency and resiliency of our Pinoy waiters here in Boracay,” Billedo said./
The race – initiated by the Italian Food Specialist, Inc. – was held on Oct. 21, organizer Jorge Billedo said.
Participants were made to walk the 1.5-kilometer beachfront while holding a glass of red wine.
Whoever finishes first with the least amount of wine spillage wins.
The wind and some tourists blocking the way challenged the participants, said Italian Chef Massimo Lamagne.
“The race aims to recognize the efficiency and resiliency of our Pinoy waiters here in Boracay,” Billedo said./
Filipina-British 'Bond girl' to promote PH as fun destination
A British-Filipina actress and writer is in the country to promote several tourism sights as fun destinations.
Rachel Louise Grant de Longueuil, or simply Rachel Grant, said she will be documenting at least seven stories to boost the Philippine tourism industry.
Grant is known as a James Bond Girl in the 2002 movie, “Die Another Day,” with British actor Pierce Brosnan and US actress Halle Berry. She also appeared as Maria Ronson in the film “Until Death” with Belgian martial artist Jean-Claude Van Damme.
"I am a Filipina and I love the Philippines. Abroad, there are reports on the killings in the Philippines because of drugs. I would like to counter it by producing a documentary that will promote the country as a fun destination. It’s more fun in the Philippines," she said.
She also bared to have already eaten “balut” (duck embryo) a thousand times in her lifetime since it is among her favorite Filipino delicacy.
In Boracay, Grant visited Maya Restaurant which features a version of the Boodle Fight, the Boracay Toilet, Boracay Mermaid and the Ati village, among others.
The actress is here with her parents and Puerto Rican videographer.
She will also be visiting Metro Manila and the provinces of Antique and Pangasinan, as part of her Philippine travel producing viral videos. (
Martes, Oktubre 17, 2017
Hollywood actress to visit Boracay Aeta community
Hollywood actress and travel blogger Rachel Grant is expected to visit the Aeta community in this word-famous island.
Raffy Cooper, marketing officer of the Boracay Foundation, Inc., said Grant’s visit will be on Oct. 23 to 24.
“Her itinerary includes a visit with the Aeta community here. She will also document a boodle fight restaurant for her travel video blog,” Cooper said.
Grant played the character of Peaceful Fountains of Desire in a James Bond movie Die Another Day in 2002.
She was born in the Philippines and was raised in Nottingham, United Kingdom.
In 2014, Grant built a school in Bani, Pangasinan for children whose families were affected by typhoons.
She also helps in her mother Isabel Padua-Grant’s charity foundation – The Padua Charitable Fund – and volunteered to help supertyphoon “Yolanda” victims in Tacloban.
Raffy Cooper, marketing officer of the Boracay Foundation, Inc., said Grant’s visit will be on Oct. 23 to 24.
“Her itinerary includes a visit with the Aeta community here. She will also document a boodle fight restaurant for her travel video blog,” Cooper said.
Grant played the character of Peaceful Fountains of Desire in a James Bond movie Die Another Day in 2002.
She was born in the Philippines and was raised in Nottingham, United Kingdom.
In 2014, Grant built a school in Bani, Pangasinan for children whose families were affected by typhoons.
She also helps in her mother Isabel Padua-Grant’s charity foundation – The Padua Charitable Fund – and volunteered to help supertyphoon “Yolanda” victims in Tacloban.
Lunes, Oktubre 16, 2017
Artificial intelligence topic in BPO forum
The Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) is studying the possible effects of artificial intelligence (AI) among business process outsourcing (BPO) firms in the country.
The use of AI in BPO companies had been the topic in the Contact Islands conference at the Shangri-la Resort and Spa in this world-famous island.
Over 200 participants composed mostly of industry leaders attended the conference with a theme, “The Future of Customer Experience.”
“We are looking at two sides here: the positive and negative ways of using AI,” CCAP chairman Benedict Hernandez said.
Hernandez also said BPO company leaders must be ready to embrace the opportunities that the use of AI may bring to the Philippine BPO scene.
The Philippines is considered one of the key BPO hubs in the world.
For his part, Engelbert Camasura, president of the Asia Select Philippines, said the use of AI may also affect the media industry.
“The media must be vigilant on this matter. The AI process is still evolving and we must all be ready to embrace change. But we must also consider looking for alternatives,” Camasura said.
CCAP is a group of BPO companies in the country.
The use of AI in BPO companies had been the topic in the Contact Islands conference at the Shangri-la Resort and Spa in this world-famous island.
Over 200 participants composed mostly of industry leaders attended the conference with a theme, “The Future of Customer Experience.”
“We are looking at two sides here: the positive and negative ways of using AI,” CCAP chairman Benedict Hernandez said.
Hernandez also said BPO company leaders must be ready to embrace the opportunities that the use of AI may bring to the Philippine BPO scene.
The Philippines is considered one of the key BPO hubs in the world.
For his part, Engelbert Camasura, president of the Asia Select Philippines, said the use of AI may also affect the media industry.
“The media must be vigilant on this matter. The AI process is still evolving and we must all be ready to embrace change. But we must also consider looking for alternatives,” Camasura said.
CCAP is a group of BPO companies in the country.
Miyerkules, Oktubre 11, 2017
Everest Group: PH posed to shape future of global center industry
The Philippines has en edge in being the "location of choice" by outsourcing clients as the global contact center industry transforms from an arbitrage-first to an experience-first model. This is the highlight of the white paper entitled "Philippines at the Helm of Delivering Costumer Experience of the Future" presented by global consulting and research firm Everest Group during the Contact Islands conference held at Shangri-Las Boracay Resort and Spa, Boracay Island.
"The Philippines has a unique opportunity to not just adapt but to innovate and influence the change," said Everest Group Global Sourcing Partner H. Karthhik who presented the study on Day 1 of the two-day conference organized by the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP)." This will propel the Philippines to be at the helm of shaping future costumer experience."
The study underlined that while technology innovation will play a key role in upholding costumer experience, high-skilled agents will remain as the key for delivering required services.
"The contact center industry in the Philippines is rapidly evolving to meet the requirements of costumer experience delivery and will continue to have a strong leading value preposition," Kathnik asserted. "Costumer experience will continue to be heavily dependent on high-quality talent with high-empathy skills, and the Philippines the leading provider of such talent."
He also emphasized the advantage brought about by the fact that the country has among the world's youngest population (with median age of 23 years). "It forms the perfect bedrock for serving the millenial costumers," he said.
The analysis by Everest Group pointed out that local contact centers have already started upgrading its capabilities to meet the changing requirements in the global industry environment. The study identified these current conditions of Philippine-based contact centers.
*Up to a third of the agents in best-in-class centers have already been trained to acquire multi-channel expertise.
*Robotic process automation (RPA) solutions are starting to be implemented like rule-based chatbots for simple business processes and costumer queries.
*Focus and investment on analytics for costumer experience delivery is growing although analytics for operational excellence still has the higher adaption.
*Companies are actively redesigning their recruitment and training approaches to increase focus on multi-national channel capabilities and technical skills.
Despite its strong position in adapting and instituting skills-upgrade of its agents, the country's contact center industry still needs to further strengthen its capabilities to "shape the global future" of contact center services, according to Everest Group.
Lunes, Oktubre 9, 2017
Aklan province forges MOA with Makati Med
The Aklan Provincial Government, in cooperation with the Department of Health, has forged a partnership with the Makati Medical Center Foundation.
Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores said the partnership was made through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) also being supported by the Zuellig Family Foundation.
“The partnership will focus on the improvement of quality healthcare delivery through the organizational strengthening of all the eight public hospitals in the province,” Miraflores said.
The MOA signing was held in Manila last week. It was not yet clear what were the details of the MOA.
The public hospitals in the province include the Altavas District Hospital, Libacao District Hospital, Ibajay District Hospital, Malay District Hospital, Buruanga District Hospital and Boracay District Hospital, among others.
All of the district hospitals were being part of the Economic and Enterprise Development Department of the Aklan provincial government.
Dr. Adrian Sallaver of the Malay Health Office said the Malay District Hospital was also being modernized prior to the signing of MOA with the Makati Medical Center.
“Here, we did some innovation by acquiring this [digital] software that makes it easier for us to process the results of lab exams down to the sanitation units. This is to better serve the increasing number of clients that we have,” he said.
Aside from the Malay District Hospital, other hospitals in the province are undergoing training for its information technology (IT) support. The IT’s are being updated on the Hospital Billing System and eventually transition to an Integrated Hospital Operations and Management Information System. The Aklan Provincial Government spends at least P100 million annually for the health-care services of the province population.
The healthcare services are being subsidized by the increasing growth of the tourism industry brought by the island of Boracay.
Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores said the partnership was made through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) also being supported by the Zuellig Family Foundation.
“The partnership will focus on the improvement of quality healthcare delivery through the organizational strengthening of all the eight public hospitals in the province,” Miraflores said.
The MOA signing was held in Manila last week. It was not yet clear what were the details of the MOA.
The public hospitals in the province include the Altavas District Hospital, Libacao District Hospital, Ibajay District Hospital, Malay District Hospital, Buruanga District Hospital and Boracay District Hospital, among others.
All of the district hospitals were being part of the Economic and Enterprise Development Department of the Aklan provincial government.
Dr. Adrian Sallaver of the Malay Health Office said the Malay District Hospital was also being modernized prior to the signing of MOA with the Makati Medical Center.
“Here, we did some innovation by acquiring this [digital] software that makes it easier for us to process the results of lab exams down to the sanitation units. This is to better serve the increasing number of clients that we have,” he said.
Aside from the Malay District Hospital, other hospitals in the province are undergoing training for its information technology (IT) support. The IT’s are being updated on the Hospital Billing System and eventually transition to an Integrated Hospital Operations and Management Information System. The Aklan Provincial Government spends at least P100 million annually for the health-care services of the province population.
The healthcare services are being subsidized by the increasing growth of the tourism industry brought by the island of Boracay.
Linggo, Oktubre 8, 2017
Hybrid boat proponent hopes for tech body OK
A private cooperator is confident that the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) will give its final approval for the implementation of his proposed hybrid trimaran fast craft project.
Engineer Jonathan Salvador, owner of the Metallica Shipyard in New Washington, Aklan, said the project’s final evaluation will be on Oct. 13 in Manila.
Salvador’s project uses renewable energy from the ocean to fuel the boat.
He teamed up with the Aklan State University-Marine Science Campus in proposing the project to PCIEERD for funding.
PCIEERD is one of the research arms of the Department of Science and Technology.
“The PCIEERD has already expressed commitment for our proposed project,” said Salvador.
He also shared that PCIEERD is planning to introduce the “institutionalization of a new academic program related to marine engineering.”
After the final evaluation, PCIIEERD officials are expected to arrive in the province to test the proposed project./
Engineer Jonathan Salvador, owner of the Metallica Shipyard in New Washington, Aklan, said the project’s final evaluation will be on Oct. 13 in Manila.
Salvador’s project uses renewable energy from the ocean to fuel the boat.
He teamed up with the Aklan State University-Marine Science Campus in proposing the project to PCIEERD for funding.
PCIEERD is one of the research arms of the Department of Science and Technology.
“The PCIEERD has already expressed commitment for our proposed project,” said Salvador.
He also shared that PCIEERD is planning to introduce the “institutionalization of a new academic program related to marine engineering.”
After the final evaluation, PCIIEERD officials are expected to arrive in the province to test the proposed project./
Sabado, Oktubre 7, 2017
18 minors violate Boracay curfew
At least 18 minors have violated the curfew in this island resort, according to the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC).
The apprehended minors were under the custody of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) for counseling, said Senior Inspector Mark Anthony Gesulga, BTAC chief.
The curfew has been implemented in the island since last week.
The MSWDO has been monitoring the beachfront, internet shops and recreation centers, among others.
Municipal Ordinance No. 212 prohibits minors from roaming Malay town and the island resort between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
The ordinance also fines the minors’ parents or guardians.
For the first offense, parents or guardians are required to undergo a seminar, the ordinance said.
For second and third offenses, they are fined P500 and P1,000, respectively.
Earlier, the BTAC received a complaint from Korean tourists. They said they were harassed by minors who were creating sand castles./
The apprehended minors were under the custody of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) for counseling, said Senior Inspector Mark Anthony Gesulga, BTAC chief.
The curfew has been implemented in the island since last week.
The MSWDO has been monitoring the beachfront, internet shops and recreation centers, among others.
Municipal Ordinance No. 212 prohibits minors from roaming Malay town and the island resort between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
The ordinance also fines the minors’ parents or guardians.
For the first offense, parents or guardians are required to undergo a seminar, the ordinance said.
For second and third offenses, they are fined P500 and P1,000, respectively.
Earlier, the BTAC received a complaint from Korean tourists. They said they were harassed by minors who were creating sand castles./
Huwebes, Oktubre 5, 2017
Aklan OKs higher real property tax rates
Gov. Florencio Miraflores signed a provincial ordinance that raised real property tax rates in Aklan.
Ordinance No. 2017-001 adjusted the schedule of market values of all real properties in the province. It shall take effect starting Jan. 1, 2018.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) passed the measure on third and final reading during a special session on Wednesday.
Vice Gov. Reynaldo Quimpo, SP presiding officer, said raising real property taxes was necessary for Aklan to be “competitive.”
“Among the features of the RPT (real property tax) hike was a 10-percent increase among residential and agricultural lots, and at least 50-percent hike among commercial areas, including Boracay,” said Quimpo.
Revenues from increased real property taxes will be used for the town’s special education fund and health services, he added.
Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code, requires local government units to adjust real property tax values every three years.
The last time Aklan made general revisions in its real property tax rates was on Feb. 9, 2005. The adjustments took effect in 2006.
“Certain localities have experienced rapid development in commerce, trade and investment, sparked mainly by the booming tourism industry [over] the past 12 years,” read part of the consolidated SP committee of the whole Report No. 2017-182.
“In effect, the (current) real property tax level is no longer reflective of the current true market assessment values in Aklan and therefore should be updated,” the report read.
Real property owners in agricultural and residential areas may avail themselves of a 20-percent discount if they pay in advance, said Quimpo.
Real properties in Aklan are around 97 percent agricultural and residential and only 3 percent commercial and industrial, he noted.
“We tried to implement a new RPT hike in 2014 but this was considered void after some sectors questioned it in court,” said Provincial Assessor Kokoy Soguilon. “We have learned our lesson, and we are more ready to face court charges.”
Assuming it could achieve a 100-percent collection rate, the province expects P41 million worth of additional revenue with the new real property tax rates, according to Provincial Treasurer Suzette Pioquid.
In August, the SP consulted with municipal assessors, treasurers and elected officials in reviewing the current land valuation assessment levels and rates, and the impact of the resulting increase, or incremental tax due.
“The 2005 assessment level resulted to negative real property tax for certain real property kinds and classification, therefore an adjustment is necessary in consonance with the principle of progressive taxation,” the SP had said.
Public hearings on the then proposed new real property tax rates were held in Barangay Old Buswang in this capital town on Sept. 5 and at the Nabas town covered court on Sept. 7.
Ordinance No. 2017-001 adjusted the schedule of market values of all real properties in the province. It shall take effect starting Jan. 1, 2018.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) passed the measure on third and final reading during a special session on Wednesday.
Vice Gov. Reynaldo Quimpo, SP presiding officer, said raising real property taxes was necessary for Aklan to be “competitive.”
“Among the features of the RPT (real property tax) hike was a 10-percent increase among residential and agricultural lots, and at least 50-percent hike among commercial areas, including Boracay,” said Quimpo.
Revenues from increased real property taxes will be used for the town’s special education fund and health services, he added.
Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code, requires local government units to adjust real property tax values every three years.
The last time Aklan made general revisions in its real property tax rates was on Feb. 9, 2005. The adjustments took effect in 2006.
“Certain localities have experienced rapid development in commerce, trade and investment, sparked mainly by the booming tourism industry [over] the past 12 years,” read part of the consolidated SP committee of the whole Report No. 2017-182.
“In effect, the (current) real property tax level is no longer reflective of the current true market assessment values in Aklan and therefore should be updated,” the report read.
Real property owners in agricultural and residential areas may avail themselves of a 20-percent discount if they pay in advance, said Quimpo.
Real properties in Aklan are around 97 percent agricultural and residential and only 3 percent commercial and industrial, he noted.
“We tried to implement a new RPT hike in 2014 but this was considered void after some sectors questioned it in court,” said Provincial Assessor Kokoy Soguilon. “We have learned our lesson, and we are more ready to face court charges.”
Assuming it could achieve a 100-percent collection rate, the province expects P41 million worth of additional revenue with the new real property tax rates, according to Provincial Treasurer Suzette Pioquid.
In August, the SP consulted with municipal assessors, treasurers and elected officials in reviewing the current land valuation assessment levels and rates, and the impact of the resulting increase, or incremental tax due.
“The 2005 assessment level resulted to negative real property tax for certain real property kinds and classification, therefore an adjustment is necessary in consonance with the principle of progressive taxation,” the SP had said.
Public hearings on the then proposed new real property tax rates were held in Barangay Old Buswang in this capital town on Sept. 5 and at the Nabas town covered court on Sept. 7.
Martes, Oktubre 3, 2017
SMC developing 130-hectare property in Aklan town
San Miguel Corp. is developing a 130-hectare property in Barangay Union here, its town mayor said.
In an interview, Nabas Mayor James Solanoy said that, because of such development, the town is currently bracing for a faster economic growth.
“Just last week SMC invited me to grace the groundbreaking ceremony of a 400-room hotel under the Marriott Hotel brand. More development is expected to grow in their property,” Solanoy said.
Aside from the Marriott Hotel, other plans being put up include an ocean park, an entertainment complex and more hotels, among others.
“They are also now building a departure and arrival terminal for the Boracay Airport being anticipated to open during the last quarter of 2018,” he said.
The Boracay Airport’s current terminal is at Barangay Caticlan, in adjacent Malay, Aklan. With the ongoing development, it is being transferred to the town of Nabas.
“SMC’s 130-hectare property was not included in the airport’s development plan. The Boracay Airport is still being managed by the SMC,” Solanoy said.
Meanwhile, Kathleen Paton, the newly crowned Miss Teen International, said she is also planning to promote the ecotourism of Nabas, such as its cold springs.
Paton, from Barangay Laserna, Nabas, is the first Filipina to win the prestigious beauty-teen pageant.
“I am planning to organize friendship tours among teenagers to promote the welfare and camaraderie among teens around the world,” said Paton, whose father is an Australian.
Her mother hails from Barangay Laserna, Nabas town.
In an interview, Nabas Mayor James Solanoy said that, because of such development, the town is currently bracing for a faster economic growth.
“Just last week SMC invited me to grace the groundbreaking ceremony of a 400-room hotel under the Marriott Hotel brand. More development is expected to grow in their property,” Solanoy said.
Aside from the Marriott Hotel, other plans being put up include an ocean park, an entertainment complex and more hotels, among others.
“They are also now building a departure and arrival terminal for the Boracay Airport being anticipated to open during the last quarter of 2018,” he said.
The Boracay Airport’s current terminal is at Barangay Caticlan, in adjacent Malay, Aklan. With the ongoing development, it is being transferred to the town of Nabas.
“SMC’s 130-hectare property was not included in the airport’s development plan. The Boracay Airport is still being managed by the SMC,” Solanoy said.
Meanwhile, Kathleen Paton, the newly crowned Miss Teen International, said she is also planning to promote the ecotourism of Nabas, such as its cold springs.
Paton, from Barangay Laserna, Nabas, is the first Filipina to win the prestigious beauty-teen pageant.
“I am planning to organize friendship tours among teenagers to promote the welfare and camaraderie among teens around the world,” said Paton, whose father is an Australian.
Her mother hails from Barangay Laserna, Nabas town.
Lunes, Setyembre 25, 2017
Council probes proposed 200-MW pumped-storage hydro project
The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, Aklan is investigating the alleged illegality of the proposed operation of the 200-megawatt (MW) pumped-storage hydro project of the SMC Global Power Holdings Corp.
Malay Councilor Frolibar Bautista said the council is not objecting the project but against the apparent railroading for the legality of the project.
The SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. obtained permits both from the Department of Energy and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the Forest Land Use Agreement since 2014.
The project is to be undertaken through the Strategic Development Power Corp. of the SMC.
“Based on our initial investigation, former Malay Mayor John Yap has issued a certificate of no objection for the project sometime in 2016. This, we considered illegal because the project is supposed to pass through the council and should conduct a public hearing,” Bautista said.
Yap could not be reached for comment.
“The council is also planning to ask an explanation from the National Water Regulatory Board [NWRB] to explain to us the project,” he added.
The NWRB earlier conducted a study indicating the Nabaoy River can produce 70 million liters a day of water.
Joy Salibio of the 3Cs Farmers Association said the Strategic Development Corp. in Malay, Aklan said they are worried about the water sustainability in their farms once the project would push through.
The hydro project will be put up at Nabaoy River to supply power to the barangays of Nabaoy, Napaan and Motag.
Malay Councilor Frolibar Bautista said the council is not objecting the project but against the apparent railroading for the legality of the project.
The SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. obtained permits both from the Department of Energy and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the Forest Land Use Agreement since 2014.
The project is to be undertaken through the Strategic Development Power Corp. of the SMC.
“Based on our initial investigation, former Malay Mayor John Yap has issued a certificate of no objection for the project sometime in 2016. This, we considered illegal because the project is supposed to pass through the council and should conduct a public hearing,” Bautista said.
Yap could not be reached for comment.
“The council is also planning to ask an explanation from the National Water Regulatory Board [NWRB] to explain to us the project,” he added.
The NWRB earlier conducted a study indicating the Nabaoy River can produce 70 million liters a day of water.
Joy Salibio of the 3Cs Farmers Association said the Strategic Development Corp. in Malay, Aklan said they are worried about the water sustainability in their farms once the project would push through.
The hydro project will be put up at Nabaoy River to supply power to the barangays of Nabaoy, Napaan and Motag.
Linggo, Setyembre 24, 2017
Jollibee sets ‘chicken bucket’ for mangrove propagules in Aklan
The Jollibee Foods Corp. will officially launch its “Chicken Joy” bucket program in exchange for mangrove propagules.
In a news forum here, Jen Orven Ariel Zaragoza, Trade Marketing Officer of the Jollibee Foods Corp. Visayas, said each bucket of Chicken Joy sold to the costumers in their four Kalibo branches will help purchase mangrove propagules.
“In 2014 a store in Kalibo started to plant mangroves at the Allen Salas Quimpo Bakhawan Ecological Park. After this, it started to grow, encouraging other volunteer groups to join our tree-planting activity. We are going a notch higher this year by involving our consumers,” he added.
The four Jollibee Foods Corp. branches involved in the said activity were the Citymall Branch-Kalibo, Gaisano Branch-Kalibo, the Jollibee Foods Plaza and the Jollibee Foods Branch at the back of Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital.
Zaragosa said “the bucket for propagule program” will start on October 1 and will end on November 30.
“When one consumer buys a bucket of Chicken Joy from any of our four Kalibo branches, he will be given a sticker to place his name. He will then stick it on a signboard dedicated to the ASQ Bakhawan Eco-Park,” he added.
After November 30 Jollibee will be scheduling another tree-planting activity under the program.
Medalyn Cuadra of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources said Jollibee Foods Corp. has coordinated with their office and the Kalibo Save the Mangrove as partners.
The company will be buying the mangrove propagules from the DENR at P1.50 each.
“On September 30, Jollibee together with some volunteer groups will plant 1,000 mangrove propagules to our sprawling 220-hectare plantation. It will be the official launch of Jolibee’s Chicken Joy bucket for propagules,” Cuadra said.
In a news forum here, Jen Orven Ariel Zaragoza, Trade Marketing Officer of the Jollibee Foods Corp. Visayas, said each bucket of Chicken Joy sold to the costumers in their four Kalibo branches will help purchase mangrove propagules.
“In 2014 a store in Kalibo started to plant mangroves at the Allen Salas Quimpo Bakhawan Ecological Park. After this, it started to grow, encouraging other volunteer groups to join our tree-planting activity. We are going a notch higher this year by involving our consumers,” he added.
The four Jollibee Foods Corp. branches involved in the said activity were the Citymall Branch-Kalibo, Gaisano Branch-Kalibo, the Jollibee Foods Plaza and the Jollibee Foods Branch at the back of Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital.
Zaragosa said “the bucket for propagule program” will start on October 1 and will end on November 30.
“When one consumer buys a bucket of Chicken Joy from any of our four Kalibo branches, he will be given a sticker to place his name. He will then stick it on a signboard dedicated to the ASQ Bakhawan Eco-Park,” he added.
After November 30 Jollibee will be scheduling another tree-planting activity under the program.
Medalyn Cuadra of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources said Jollibee Foods Corp. has coordinated with their office and the Kalibo Save the Mangrove as partners.
The company will be buying the mangrove propagules from the DENR at P1.50 each.
“On September 30, Jollibee together with some volunteer groups will plant 1,000 mangrove propagules to our sprawling 220-hectare plantation. It will be the official launch of Jolibee’s Chicken Joy bucket for propagules,” Cuadra said.
Martes, Setyembre 19, 2017
Stronger defense vs Boracay fire incidents urged
Members of the local crisis committee sees more defense is needed against fire incidents as this resort island’s economy continues to grow due to its booming tourism industry.
Fire Inspector Sidgie Gerardo, chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Boracay, said the fire that hit the local seafood market on Monday morning damaged goods initially placed at
P10 million.
The fire ithat took place in Sitio Mangayad, Barangay Balabag, Boracay Island, damaged seafood stalls, restaurants and souvenir shops. The fire lasted around four hours.
“The amount may continue to rise as our investigators are still assessing the incident. The fire started in a restaurant,” he said.
He added that it took firefighters that long to control the fire because of the crowded establishments and narrow roads leading to the fire scene.
Mike Labatiao, a consultant of the Aklan provincial government on security, said he hopes every resort in Boracay would place their respective water outposts and fire hydrants.
“I would recommend to the Aklan provincial government that each resort must place water outposts. I also saw huge improvements in our crisis management as every sector had to do their respective jobs well. The traffic was put into order; firefighters responded in time. It was a job well done,” said Labatiao, who attended the crisis committee meeting held at the Boracay Regency Hotel.
Sources said because of the fire incidents, several employees—mostly waitresses and staff—had to be displaced by their employers as the damaged establishments take time to rebuild.
Randall Parker, an American expat and a coast guard auxiliary volunteer, said he opened his Boracay Crown Beach Hotel as a temporary shelter for fire victims for free.
“At least four families availed themselves of free rooms at my hotel. I am not allowed to showcase them for publicity, but hearing the stories of the fire victims. They deserve respite,” he said.
The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of Malay, Aklan, recorded at least 135 families displaced by the
fire incident.
Relley David, one of the owners of the burned establishments, said this is the third time his stall was gutted by fire.
“I had to rebuild again,” he said.
Lunes, Setyembre 18, 2017
Boracay D’ Talipapa fire displaces 135 families
Over 135 families have been displaced after fire gutted their houses in Barangay Balabag, the Malay Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) report showed.
The fire started around 4:40 a.m. yesterday at the wet market, known as D’ Talipapa, initial investigation revealed.
The cause of the fire has yet to be known.
Affected families were composed of 274 children and 224 adults, the MSWDO said.
The fire also destroyed souvenir shops, boardinghouses and food chains, among others.
The Bureau of Fire Protection of Boracay and Tangalan and Ibajay towns responded to the area.
A “fire out” was declared around 12 p.m.
No casualty was reported.
Mayor Ceciron Cawaling called the crisis management committee to look into the incident.
The affected residents evacuated to the barangay halls of Balabag and Manoc-Manoc.
The Boracay Island Special Fire Protection Unit was still investigating the blaze./
The fire started around 4:40 a.m. yesterday at the wet market, known as D’ Talipapa, initial investigation revealed.
The cause of the fire has yet to be known.
Affected families were composed of 274 children and 224 adults, the MSWDO said.
The fire also destroyed souvenir shops, boardinghouses and food chains, among others.
The Bureau of Fire Protection of Boracay and Tangalan and Ibajay towns responded to the area.
A “fire out” was declared around 12 p.m.
No casualty was reported.
Mayor Ceciron Cawaling called the crisis management committee to look into the incident.
The affected residents evacuated to the barangay halls of Balabag and Manoc-Manoc.
The Boracay Island Special Fire Protection Unit was still investigating the blaze./
Boracay anti-terror measures boosted
Several foreign governments have pledged to assist anti-terrorism measures being put up at the resort island of Boracay in Malay town.
Boracay Island Administrator Rowen Aguirre said the United Kingdom and United States are willing to help the joint task force organized this year that aims to combat terrorism threats in the country’s premier beach destination.
“They have offered to help us in what we need. It may be in the form of training, donating firearms or other equipment for crisis management,” Aguirre said.
The Joint Task Force Boracay held several simulation exercises last week to test the responsiveness of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the crisis management team of Malay to respond to terrorist activities or emergencies.
Earlier this year, China donated an ambulance to Boracay.
Miyerkules, Setyembre 13, 2017
Task force to hotel managers: ‘We’re ready for terror attacks’
(note: the video uploaded was just part of the drill by the joint task force: Boracay)
This island’s Joint Task Force assured general managers of several hotels that it was ready to respond to terror attacks.
The hotel managers were invited to watch the task force’s crisis management simulation at the Savoy Hotel in the Newcoast Station on Sept. 12.
Carmen Villanueva, general manger of the Fairways and Bluewater Newcoast Boracay, said the island’s preparedness for terror attacks was their top concern.
The managers said an episode of terrorism can “downgrade the tourism industry in Boracay.”
But after seeing the drill, Villanueva and other hotel managers were “convinced that the island security enforcers are ready to respond during an attack.”
“I will encourage other stakeholders to announce that Boracay is indeed safe,” said Villanueva, who was made to comment after the drill.
Wesley Van der Voort, a European hotel manager, said he will “spread the word” to his co-members in the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Boracay.
Representatives of the Shangri-la Resort and Spa Boracay, Crimson Resort and Diamond Water Sports, among others, attended the simulation.
The Joint Task Force members include the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Boracay Action Group, Philippine Coast Guard, and the local government of Malay, among others.
On the other hand, Peter Tay, a Filipino-Chinese volunteer of the Philippine Coast Guard, said Chinese tourist arrivals in the island will double in 2018.
“Right now, there are seven regular flights from China to Boracay. Next year, we can expect that there will be 14 flights from different provinces of China,” Tay said.
For his part, Lieutenant General Oscar Lactao, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command in Cebu City, said there was no terror threat in Visayas.
“All we wanted to do was to make everyone vigilant in Boracay,” Lactao said. “The residents of Bohol were vigilant enough to immediately inform the authorities about the presence of armed men in their area.”
Linggo, Setyembre 10, 2017
Three Aklan towns vying for cityhood
The province of Aklan still has no city and at least three of its towns are looking to become one. They are the capital town of Kalibo, Malay and Nabas.
Nabas Mayor James Solanoy said they may also soon start planning to develop the town to become a city because of their fast economic growth brought about by the booming tourism industry.
Based in the town of Nabas are two multinational corporations. One is expanding the Caticlan Airport.
The Caticlan Airport from adjacent Malay town in Aklan is being operated by the San Miguel Corp. Another company is the Petrowind Energy Corp., a 50-megawatt wind-farm project in the province.
“We initially targeted a P9-million local government revenue for the year 2017. However, just from January to June, we already collected P24 million in local government revenue. This is a huge sign the economic progress of our town is unprecedented,” Solanoy said.
Aside from this, the town of Nabas has also received several requests from other multinational companies to invest in their town. The town is currently classified as a fourth-class municipality.
In June of this year, the Malay Council has revived their bid to become a city.
Malay Councilor Frolibar Bautista said he had already filed a resolution calling for the creation of a technical committee that will serve as a secretariat in preparing documents for the cityhood of Malay.
Boracay, which is under the geographical jurisdiction of Malay, is considered the country’s premier tourism destination.
The town of Kalibo, meanwhile, has been pushing for cityhood since 2007. Kalibo Mayor William Lachica said they still need to fill the requirements of population and geographical area to apply for cityhood.
“Kalibo town is doing its best to be declared a city,” he said, adding the town is famous for Ati-Atihan Festival.
Nabas Mayor James Solanoy said they may also soon start planning to develop the town to become a city because of their fast economic growth brought about by the booming tourism industry.
Based in the town of Nabas are two multinational corporations. One is expanding the Caticlan Airport.
The Caticlan Airport from adjacent Malay town in Aklan is being operated by the San Miguel Corp. Another company is the Petrowind Energy Corp., a 50-megawatt wind-farm project in the province.
“We initially targeted a P9-million local government revenue for the year 2017. However, just from January to June, we already collected P24 million in local government revenue. This is a huge sign the economic progress of our town is unprecedented,” Solanoy said.
Aside from this, the town of Nabas has also received several requests from other multinational companies to invest in their town. The town is currently classified as a fourth-class municipality.
In June of this year, the Malay Council has revived their bid to become a city.
Malay Councilor Frolibar Bautista said he had already filed a resolution calling for the creation of a technical committee that will serve as a secretariat in preparing documents for the cityhood of Malay.
Boracay, which is under the geographical jurisdiction of Malay, is considered the country’s premier tourism destination.
The town of Kalibo, meanwhile, has been pushing for cityhood since 2007. Kalibo Mayor William Lachica said they still need to fill the requirements of population and geographical area to apply for cityhood.
“Kalibo town is doing its best to be declared a city,” he said, adding the town is famous for Ati-Atihan Festival.
Biyernes, Setyembre 8, 2017
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British embassy assures safety of tourists in Boracay
Representatives of the British Embassy and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NACTSO) met Wednesday afternoon with local government officials to discuss forging a partnership to establish counter terrorism measures.
Nenette Graf, president of the Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) said the representatives also met with BFI officials.
The British delegation also held a separate security meeting with the local government officials of Malay, Aklan and the Task Force: Boracay.
The task force is a combination of units from the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, the Malay local government, among others.
"The British delegation only told us their best practices in the United Kingdom on counter terrorism measures especially in their business community and tourist areas. We are grateful for their support in Boracay," Graf, is also a member of the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, told GMA News.
The British embassy brought NACTSO officials in this resort island as the British considered Boracay one of their favorite tourism destination in Asia.
Local officials maintained that there was no terrorism threat in Boracay.
In the data of the Malay tourism office, the tourism industry of Boracay is not affected by the war against terrorism in Mindanao.
Tourists arrivals in Boracay soared about 23 percent for the month of August 2017 with 144, 064 compared to the 117, 242 of August 2016.
Nenette Graf, president of the Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) said the representatives also met with BFI officials.
The British delegation also held a separate security meeting with the local government officials of Malay, Aklan and the Task Force: Boracay.
The task force is a combination of units from the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, the Malay local government, among others.
"The British delegation only told us their best practices in the United Kingdom on counter terrorism measures especially in their business community and tourist areas. We are grateful for their support in Boracay," Graf, is also a member of the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, told GMA News.
The British embassy brought NACTSO officials in this resort island as the British considered Boracay one of their favorite tourism destination in Asia.
Local officials maintained that there was no terrorism threat in Boracay.
In the data of the Malay tourism office, the tourism industry of Boracay is not affected by the war against terrorism in Mindanao.
Tourists arrivals in Boracay soared about 23 percent for the month of August 2017 with 144, 064 compared to the 117, 242 of August 2016.
Miyerkules, Setyembre 6, 2017
Drug peddlers not locals, Boracay police chief says
The police chief in this island said most of the drug suspects they arrested were not locals.
Senior Inspector Jose Mark Anthony Gesulga, Boracay Tourist Assistance Center chief, said this was based on the drug operations over the last two months.
Last week, police caught a boatman from Caloocan City and on Sept. 3, a tour guide from Makati City. Both were detained at the island’s lockup facility.
“They carry illegal drugs in their baggage, pockets and even in their underwear,” said Gesulga. “The drugs were from Metro Manila, Batangas and Mindoro.”
Drugs can easily get in the island due to the lack of monitoring facilities, Gesulga said.
“All of them had passed through the jetty port,” the police chief explained. “The X-ray machines at the port can only monitor bombs, bladed weapons and guns.”
Though the entry of illegal drugs in the island was hard to detect, Gesulga said they have been coordinating with the locals to catch suspects through buy-bust operations./
Senior Inspector Jose Mark Anthony Gesulga, Boracay Tourist Assistance Center chief, said this was based on the drug operations over the last two months.
Last week, police caught a boatman from Caloocan City and on Sept. 3, a tour guide from Makati City. Both were detained at the island’s lockup facility.
“They carry illegal drugs in their baggage, pockets and even in their underwear,” said Gesulga. “The drugs were from Metro Manila, Batangas and Mindoro.”
Drugs can easily get in the island due to the lack of monitoring facilities, Gesulga said.
“All of them had passed through the jetty port,” the police chief explained. “The X-ray machines at the port can only monitor bombs, bladed weapons and guns.”
Though the entry of illegal drugs in the island was hard to detect, Gesulga said they have been coordinating with the locals to catch suspects through buy-bust operations./
Lunes, Setyembre 4, 2017
Aklan police wary of travel-insurance fraud perpetrated by foreign tourists
The Aklan Provincial Police Office is wary of the travel-insurance claims fraud as it closely scrutinizes requests for police reports, especially those coming from foreign tourists.
Police Senior Inspector Jose Mark Anthony Gesulga, chief of the Boracay Philippine National Police (PNP), said they have been alarmed because of the increasing number of foreign tourists filing and requesting for a police report.
The police expect more of these incidents piling up since Christmas is nearing and there will be long holidays for tourists. The travel-insurance claims fraud is reportedly common among Chinese and South Korean tourists.
“What we are doing right now is that when a foreign tourist files a police complaint, the complainant should first convince our police investigator that he has been a victim of robbery and snatching. If not, like his phone may have been lost, we still issue a police report but we indicate that it’s not for insurance purposes,” he said.
Gesulga, however, did not reveal how many foreign tourists have been suspected being involved in travel- insurance fraud.
Senior Police Officer 1 Nida Gregas, information officer of the Aklan Provincial Police Office, said that, from January to March this year, the Boracay police has already recorded 311 theft cases. But many of them are believed to be cases of travel-insurance fraud.
Police Senior Inspector Honey Mae Ruiz, acting chief of the Kalibo PNP, said as part of the security preparations this Christmas season they are maximizing the use of closed-circuit television (CCTVs) among commercial and residential centers here.
Currently, the local government of Kalibo is enacting a CCTV ordinance, which mandates large business establishments to install CCTVs. For small and medium businesses, the installation of CCTVs is optional.
“The use of CCTVs has helped us much in solving crimes this year. We have identified and arrested several suspects, especially those involved in robbery cases, because of the CCTV footages,” she said.
Police Senior Inspector Jose Mark Anthony Gesulga, chief of the Boracay Philippine National Police (PNP), said they have been alarmed because of the increasing number of foreign tourists filing and requesting for a police report.
The police expect more of these incidents piling up since Christmas is nearing and there will be long holidays for tourists. The travel-insurance claims fraud is reportedly common among Chinese and South Korean tourists.
“What we are doing right now is that when a foreign tourist files a police complaint, the complainant should first convince our police investigator that he has been a victim of robbery and snatching. If not, like his phone may have been lost, we still issue a police report but we indicate that it’s not for insurance purposes,” he said.
Gesulga, however, did not reveal how many foreign tourists have been suspected being involved in travel- insurance fraud.
Senior Police Officer 1 Nida Gregas, information officer of the Aklan Provincial Police Office, said that, from January to March this year, the Boracay police has already recorded 311 theft cases. But many of them are believed to be cases of travel-insurance fraud.
Police Senior Inspector Honey Mae Ruiz, acting chief of the Kalibo PNP, said as part of the security preparations this Christmas season they are maximizing the use of closed-circuit television (CCTVs) among commercial and residential centers here.
Currently, the local government of Kalibo is enacting a CCTV ordinance, which mandates large business establishments to install CCTVs. For small and medium businesses, the installation of CCTVs is optional.
“The use of CCTVs has helped us much in solving crimes this year. We have identified and arrested several suspects, especially those involved in robbery cases, because of the CCTV footages,” she said.
Biyernes, Setyembre 1, 2017
Tracker teams to find ‘robber’ in Boracay
The Boracay Tourist Assistance Center under the Philippine National Police formed two tracker teams to locate a robbery suspect who barged in a Dutch national’s house in Sitio Hagdan, Barangay Yapak.
The 63-year-old Ingrid Yolande Van Breemen reported to the Boracay police station with a closed circuit television (CCTV) footage of the actual robbery.
From what the police gathered so far, the house caretaker found Breemen’s bag outside.
“It was already empty,” the caretaker said.
The robber took P6,000 cash, $50 cash and a cellphone, a police report showed.
“The photo of the suspect – identified in the CCTV – was distributed to the intelligence community in Boracay,” said Senior Police Oficer 1 Nilda Gregas. “We believe the culprit is still here.”
The 63-year-old Ingrid Yolande Van Breemen reported to the Boracay police station with a closed circuit television (CCTV) footage of the actual robbery.
From what the police gathered so far, the house caretaker found Breemen’s bag outside.
“It was already empty,” the caretaker said.
The robber took P6,000 cash, $50 cash and a cellphone, a police report showed.
“The photo of the suspect – identified in the CCTV – was distributed to the intelligence community in Boracay,” said Senior Police Oficer 1 Nilda Gregas. “We believe the culprit is still here.”
Huwebes, Agosto 31, 2017
New Boracay Travel Guide targets China, South Korea
The Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) is currently finalizing the third version of the Boracay Travel Guide for 2017.
Raffy Cooper, marketing officer of the BFI, said the travel guide is the contribution of the Boracay business community to the flourishing tourism industry of this resort island.
The first version in 2015 was widely circulated in an international travel mart in Europe. The second version in 2016, on the other hand, was circulated in Australia.
“For the third version, we are planning to circulate this, especially in China and in South Korea,” he said.
Both the China and South Korea markets are the top 2 sources of foreign tourists who visited Boracay since the 1990s.
“In our previous promotional ventures in Australia and Europe, we learned that many potential tourists in there are not yet aware of Boracay Island. There are still huge potentials for Boracay in terms of foreign tourist arrivals. We wanted to lure more tourists through our travel guide book,” Cooper said.
In 2016 around 1.7 million tourists visited Boracay. Almost half of them are foreign visitors.
“We also wanted to target in our future promotional ventures the United States. It is still being untapped in terms of promotional efforts for Boracay. Our problem for now is that America seems not keen on holding international conferences on tourism,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism-Boracay is eyeing strict accreditation of tourism-related establishments both in Kalibo town and in this resort island.
Kristoffer Leo Vellete, acting officer of the DOT-Boracay, said he is currently in talks with the councilors of both Malay and Kalibo towns to enact their respective ordinance.
“We are telling local legislators of Kalibo and Malay that our model for this ordinance was that of Bohol. We all know that Bohol has been targeted by terrorism. However, their tourism industry immediately bounced back because tourists know that Bohol follows national standards in tourism,” he said.
However, he clarified that the implementation of the tourism accreditation law once enacted would still give leeway to tourism-related establishments.
“Upon enactment of the municipal ordinance, the business establishments would be given one year to avail themselves of accreditation. If they still fail to do so, the local government has the power not to renew their licenses unless they comply,” he said.
He added that the tourism lure of Boracay could be enhanced once the stakeholders are all accredited by the DOT.
Raffy Cooper, marketing officer of the BFI, said the travel guide is the contribution of the Boracay business community to the flourishing tourism industry of this resort island.
The first version in 2015 was widely circulated in an international travel mart in Europe. The second version in 2016, on the other hand, was circulated in Australia.
“For the third version, we are planning to circulate this, especially in China and in South Korea,” he said.
Both the China and South Korea markets are the top 2 sources of foreign tourists who visited Boracay since the 1990s.
“In our previous promotional ventures in Australia and Europe, we learned that many potential tourists in there are not yet aware of Boracay Island. There are still huge potentials for Boracay in terms of foreign tourist arrivals. We wanted to lure more tourists through our travel guide book,” Cooper said.
In 2016 around 1.7 million tourists visited Boracay. Almost half of them are foreign visitors.
“We also wanted to target in our future promotional ventures the United States. It is still being untapped in terms of promotional efforts for Boracay. Our problem for now is that America seems not keen on holding international conferences on tourism,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism-Boracay is eyeing strict accreditation of tourism-related establishments both in Kalibo town and in this resort island.
Kristoffer Leo Vellete, acting officer of the DOT-Boracay, said he is currently in talks with the councilors of both Malay and Kalibo towns to enact their respective ordinance.
“We are telling local legislators of Kalibo and Malay that our model for this ordinance was that of Bohol. We all know that Bohol has been targeted by terrorism. However, their tourism industry immediately bounced back because tourists know that Bohol follows national standards in tourism,” he said.
However, he clarified that the implementation of the tourism accreditation law once enacted would still give leeway to tourism-related establishments.
“Upon enactment of the municipal ordinance, the business establishments would be given one year to avail themselves of accreditation. If they still fail to do so, the local government has the power not to renew their licenses unless they comply,” he said.
He added that the tourism lure of Boracay could be enhanced once the stakeholders are all accredited by the DOT.
Miyerkules, Agosto 30, 2017
Legarda Wants Boracay to be Model for Eco Solid Waste Mgmt, Renews Call for Stronger Law Implementation
Senator Loren Legarda today urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to make Boracay Island in Aklan province a model for ecological solid waste management (ESWM) and renewed her call for stronger implementation of Republic Act 9003.
Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, made the statement during the hearing for the proposed 2018 budget of the DENR after confirming with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) that 12 commercial establishments in Boracay Island illegally used the storm drain canals to discharge wastewater.
The Senator urged the DENR to exercise utmost vigilance especially in monitoring compliance to or violation of environmental laws such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) and the Clean Water Act (RA 9275), even as the EMB has already plugged the pipes from the establishments leading to the storm drain canals and has issued notices of violation.
“Let us make Boracay a model green island that exercises the elements of a blue economy, respecting and protecting the water around it. Let us do the same in Puerto Galera, Pasig River, Laguna de Bay, Manila Bay, and in other areas that are tourist havens and heavily populated,” said Legarda.
She also renewed her call to ensure full compliance to RA 9003 by all local government units (LGUs) including all barangays in the country.
According to the DENR, there are still 420 LGUs with open dumpsites, which are prohibited under the ESWM Law.
“I urge the DENR to strengthen implementation of the ESWM Law and ensure that all barangays in the country are compliant. I know it is a herculean task, but if one barangay can do it, there is no reason for the 42,000 other barangays not to do it,” said Legarda.
The Senator cited several barangays and LGUs that have been successful in implementing the law, such as, Barangay Potrero in Malabon; Barangay Neogan in Tagaytay; Barangay Sicat in Alfonso, Cavite; Las Piñas City; Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City; Barangay Fort in Taguig City; and San Fernando City in Pampanga.
Legarda also cited a report from the Commission on Audit (COA) that the Makati City government saved P108.72 million in its 2016 environment/sanitary services expenses, or 24.35% lower than its 2015 expenses for the same category, due to intensive pro-environment programs, particularly the enforcement of the ESWM Law.
Moreover, Legarda said that the DENR, particularly the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), should spend its budget for the implementation of ESWM Law worth P500 million in 2016 and P800 million in 2017, which will both expire by the end of the year. The budget can be used for capacity building programs and for the purchase of composters and shredders.
“We need to speed up the procurement process and the implementation of budget allocations in accordance with our laws. But I would also like to stress that, with or without the machines, all LGUs should be able to implement the law. The materials recovery facility (MRF) in communities need not be expensive. These should be made only from recycled and indigenous materials,” she explained.
“I do not have machines but I practice waste segregation in my office and in my home, and I do my own compost from food waste. I want to prove to people that even if they are not granted a machine, they can implement the law and live in a clean and healthy environment if every household is involved,” said Legarda.
Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, made the statement during the hearing for the proposed 2018 budget of the DENR after confirming with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) that 12 commercial establishments in Boracay Island illegally used the storm drain canals to discharge wastewater.
The Senator urged the DENR to exercise utmost vigilance especially in monitoring compliance to or violation of environmental laws such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) and the Clean Water Act (RA 9275), even as the EMB has already plugged the pipes from the establishments leading to the storm drain canals and has issued notices of violation.
“Let us make Boracay a model green island that exercises the elements of a blue economy, respecting and protecting the water around it. Let us do the same in Puerto Galera, Pasig River, Laguna de Bay, Manila Bay, and in other areas that are tourist havens and heavily populated,” said Legarda.
She also renewed her call to ensure full compliance to RA 9003 by all local government units (LGUs) including all barangays in the country.
According to the DENR, there are still 420 LGUs with open dumpsites, which are prohibited under the ESWM Law.
“I urge the DENR to strengthen implementation of the ESWM Law and ensure that all barangays in the country are compliant. I know it is a herculean task, but if one barangay can do it, there is no reason for the 42,000 other barangays not to do it,” said Legarda.
The Senator cited several barangays and LGUs that have been successful in implementing the law, such as, Barangay Potrero in Malabon; Barangay Neogan in Tagaytay; Barangay Sicat in Alfonso, Cavite; Las Piñas City; Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City; Barangay Fort in Taguig City; and San Fernando City in Pampanga.
Legarda also cited a report from the Commission on Audit (COA) that the Makati City government saved P108.72 million in its 2016 environment/sanitary services expenses, or 24.35% lower than its 2015 expenses for the same category, due to intensive pro-environment programs, particularly the enforcement of the ESWM Law.
Moreover, Legarda said that the DENR, particularly the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), should spend its budget for the implementation of ESWM Law worth P500 million in 2016 and P800 million in 2017, which will both expire by the end of the year. The budget can be used for capacity building programs and for the purchase of composters and shredders.
“We need to speed up the procurement process and the implementation of budget allocations in accordance with our laws. But I would also like to stress that, with or without the machines, all LGUs should be able to implement the law. The materials recovery facility (MRF) in communities need not be expensive. These should be made only from recycled and indigenous materials,” she explained.
“I do not have machines but I practice waste segregation in my office and in my home, and I do my own compost from food waste. I want to prove to people that even if they are not granted a machine, they can implement the law and live in a clean and healthy environment if every household is involved,” said Legarda.
Linggo, Agosto 27, 2017
Boracay to ban ‘visual pollution’
There is a move to ban “visual pollution” in Boracay.
“The town council has been deliberating this as we are receiving complaints from tourists,” said Jimmy Maming, executive assistant to Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling. The island of Boracay is part of Malay.
Tourists are being turned off by unregulated outdoor clotheslines that can be seen along Boracay’s main roads and the beachfronts.
Tourists are also annoyed by unregulated outdoor advertisements and even advocacy tarpaulins.
Aside from Boracay, the town council also eyes to implement the ban in mainland Malay.
“The town council has been deliberating this as we are receiving complaints from tourists,” said Jimmy Maming, executive assistant to Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling. The island of Boracay is part of Malay.
Tourists are being turned off by unregulated outdoor clotheslines that can be seen along Boracay’s main roads and the beachfronts.
Tourists are also annoyed by unregulated outdoor advertisements and even advocacy tarpaulins.
Aside from Boracay, the town council also eyes to implement the ban in mainland Malay.
PCCI-Aklan urges govt to bolster policies to lure investors in food, trade terminals
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Aklan is urging both Sen. Bam A. Aquino and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to strengthen policy measures to lure investors in engaging in both food and trade terminals.
Guidon de la Cruz, secretary of PCCI-Aklan, said he met with Aquino recently in Metro Manila to discuss the need of food terminals, especially in the province of Aklan.
“Both our food and trade supply in Boracay came from the different provinces in the country. Our local farmers could not cope with the demand since the tourism industry in Boracay requires huge volumes. Food terminals are needed so that the production of farmers could be gathered and cope with the increasing demand in Boracay,” he said.
He recommended to Aquino that the policy on food terminals could be integrated with the Go Negosyo centers of the DTI. Aquino is considered the father of GoNegosyo centers in the country.
Earlier, Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores said the province is bent on looking for possible investors for the operation of both food and trade terminals in the province.
Maricar Ituralde, chief of DTI-Aklan, said that, aside from the food, trade inputs being produced by local small and medium entrepreneurs in the province also need to have a terminal.
“We are also currently promoting among the resorts in Boracay the use of the green products among the stakeholders in Boracay. There is a lot of potential, but we could not cope with the demand due to the absence of a terminal for trade and food,” she said.
Guidon de la Cruz, secretary of PCCI-Aklan, said he met with Aquino recently in Metro Manila to discuss the need of food terminals, especially in the province of Aklan.
“Both our food and trade supply in Boracay came from the different provinces in the country. Our local farmers could not cope with the demand since the tourism industry in Boracay requires huge volumes. Food terminals are needed so that the production of farmers could be gathered and cope with the increasing demand in Boracay,” he said.
He recommended to Aquino that the policy on food terminals could be integrated with the Go Negosyo centers of the DTI. Aquino is considered the father of GoNegosyo centers in the country.
Earlier, Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores said the province is bent on looking for possible investors for the operation of both food and trade terminals in the province.
Maricar Ituralde, chief of DTI-Aklan, said that, aside from the food, trade inputs being produced by local small and medium entrepreneurs in the province also need to have a terminal.
“We are also currently promoting among the resorts in Boracay the use of the green products among the stakeholders in Boracay. There is a lot of potential, but we could not cope with the demand due to the absence of a terminal for trade and food,” she said.
Miyerkules, Agosto 23, 2017
‘Isang’ delays Miss World-Philippines Aklan flight
Plane flight schedules were delayed due to Typhoon Isang, including that of Miss World-Philippines candidates.
The 35 pageant candidates were supposed to arrive at the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport , or the Caticlan Airport, in Aklan at 2:35 p.m. from Manila.
Their flight was five hours delayed.
This was attributed to heavy rains and strong winds brought by the typhoon.
The candidates boarded the plane around 6 p.m. and landed at the Kalibo International Airport around 7:15 p.m.
The candidates will have a photo shoot, pool party and a bikini parade at the Savoy Beach Resort at Boracay Newcoast.
Juris Sucro, one of the event organizers in Boracay, said the candidates will enjoy their three-day stay in the island resort.
“They are looking forward to having memorable experience,” Sucro added./
Linggo, Agosto 20, 2017
Air-monitoring station eyed in Boracay Island
A researcher of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) is eyeing to personally establish an air-monitoring station at the world-class tourist destination of Boracay Island in Malay town, Aklan province.
Raymond Sucgang was in Boracay recently to scout for a location for his proposed project that could precisely measure the level of air pollution.
Sucgang said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) “still uses the total suspended particulate as an index of air quality.”
His proposed project aims is to accurately detect the level of air pollution that can cause damages to human health.
An Aklanon, Sucgang is also eyeing to establish an air-monitoring station in his hometown of Batan.
But Sucgang discovered that Batan lacked the meteorological equipment that is necessary for monitoring air pollution.
“From my talks with local officials, I learned that Batan is in dire need of rain gauges,” he noted.
Raymond Sucgang was in Boracay recently to scout for a location for his proposed project that could precisely measure the level of air pollution.
Sucgang said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) “still uses the total suspended particulate as an index of air quality.”
His proposed project aims is to accurately detect the level of air pollution that can cause damages to human health.
An Aklanon, Sucgang is also eyeing to establish an air-monitoring station in his hometown of Batan.
But Sucgang discovered that Batan lacked the meteorological equipment that is necessary for monitoring air pollution.
“From my talks with local officials, I learned that Batan is in dire need of rain gauges,” he noted.
Huwebes, Agosto 17, 2017
DOTr allocates P6 billion to develop Kalibo Airport
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has allocated around P6 billion for the improvement and expansion of the Kalibo International Airport (KIA).
The budget is intended to make the KIA the premier gateway of Northern Panay and neighboring areas. Among those to be funded are the construction of the new full-service terminal, construction of new apron and taxiways, among other developments.
Aklan Gov. Florencio T. Miraflores said he hopes the acquisition of the land surrounding the KIA will be fast-tracked so the massive development could commence.
“The government is already offering P600 per square meter of farm lands to the tenants. The amount is enough for them. I wonder why the affected farmers are asking as high as P5,000 per sq m for a mere farm land,” he said.
Earlier, the DOTr said around 90 percent of the overall land acquisition has been already paid.
German Baltazar, one of the affected farmers, said their group is asking for a higher amount since the government will not only take their land for airport improvement; the government is also taking away their means of livelihood.
“If ever we accept the P600-per-sq-m amount for the sale of our farmlands, how can we use the amount to survive? We are not opposing the airport development. We only want to paid fairly,” he said.
Baltazar added farmers tilling the land at the proposed KIA development has filed a case at the Ombudsman-Visayas against the chief of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap)-Kalibo for its failure to craft a resettlement plan for the affected farmers.
In a document, Evangeline Nunal, officer in charge of the Ombudsman-Western Visayas, said respondent Efren Nagrama, chief of Caap-Kalibo, should answer the farmers’ allegations.
Nagrama has refused to comment on the issue.
The budget is intended to make the KIA the premier gateway of Northern Panay and neighboring areas. Among those to be funded are the construction of the new full-service terminal, construction of new apron and taxiways, among other developments.
Aklan Gov. Florencio T. Miraflores said he hopes the acquisition of the land surrounding the KIA will be fast-tracked so the massive development could commence.
“The government is already offering P600 per square meter of farm lands to the tenants. The amount is enough for them. I wonder why the affected farmers are asking as high as P5,000 per sq m for a mere farm land,” he said.
Earlier, the DOTr said around 90 percent of the overall land acquisition has been already paid.
German Baltazar, one of the affected farmers, said their group is asking for a higher amount since the government will not only take their land for airport improvement; the government is also taking away their means of livelihood.
“If ever we accept the P600-per-sq-m amount for the sale of our farmlands, how can we use the amount to survive? We are not opposing the airport development. We only want to paid fairly,” he said.
Baltazar added farmers tilling the land at the proposed KIA development has filed a case at the Ombudsman-Visayas against the chief of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap)-Kalibo for its failure to craft a resettlement plan for the affected farmers.
In a document, Evangeline Nunal, officer in charge of the Ombudsman-Western Visayas, said respondent Efren Nagrama, chief of Caap-Kalibo, should answer the farmers’ allegations.
Nagrama has refused to comment on the issue.
Linggo, Agosto 13, 2017
DPWH sets P1.6B for Aklan infrastructure projects in 2018
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Aklan Engineering District expect to implement P1.6 billion worth of various infrastructure projects in the province for the year 2018.
In a document obtained by the BusinessMirror, some projects to be funded include the construction and/or improvement of access roads leading to trade, industries and economic zones, including tourism.
Among them was the improvement of Numancia-Lezo provincial road with an appropriation of P80 million. Another is the Poblacion Batan-Mandong-Napti-Camanci-Sapian, Capiz, boundary in support of the coconut-processing facility in Batan costing P80 million.
Earlier, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Aklan endorsed the Numancia-Lezo project in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Aklan.
Officials of the DTI-Aklan last weekend visited the pottery-making project in Lezo, being considered as the main beneficiary for the improvement of the Numancia-Lezo road project.
Ramel Buncalan, PCCI-Aklan president, said the Numancia-Lezo road-improvement project would boost the pottery industry in the town of Lezo.
Other DPWH infrastructures set for next year are the construction of multipurpose buildings, construction of flood-control structure and the concreting of farm-to-market roads from the 17 municipalities of the province.
In a document obtained by the BusinessMirror, some projects to be funded include the construction and/or improvement of access roads leading to trade, industries and economic zones, including tourism.
Among them was the improvement of Numancia-Lezo provincial road with an appropriation of P80 million. Another is the Poblacion Batan-Mandong-Napti-Camanci-Sapian, Capiz, boundary in support of the coconut-processing facility in Batan costing P80 million.
Earlier, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Aklan endorsed the Numancia-Lezo project in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Aklan.
Officials of the DTI-Aklan last weekend visited the pottery-making project in Lezo, being considered as the main beneficiary for the improvement of the Numancia-Lezo road project.
Ramel Buncalan, PCCI-Aklan president, said the Numancia-Lezo road-improvement project would boost the pottery industry in the town of Lezo.
Other DPWH infrastructures set for next year are the construction of multipurpose buildings, construction of flood-control structure and the concreting of farm-to-market roads from the 17 municipalities of the province.
Sabado, Agosto 12, 2017
Boracay continues to 'energize' PH tourism industry
The Department of Tourism (DoT) has expressed satisfaction over the continued positive performance of this resort island, which is described as "energetic" destination.
Acting officer of the DoT-Boracay Kristoffer Leo Vellete, in an interview on Thursday afternoon, said that Boracay has registered more than 1.2 million tourists from January to July this year.
"This showed that Boracay remains unaffected with the ongoing martial law declaration in the South. We remain positive of the Boracay tourism for this year," he said.
The DoT is currently preparing for September, the month when the so -called "super peak season " starts. The "super peak season" for Boracay usually ends June of the succeeding year.
Vellete was in Kalibo on Thursday afternoon as guest of the Sangguniang Bayan in its regular weekly session.
He said that while they are promoting Boracay as an energetic destination because of its rich night life activities. The town of Kalibo can serve as a relaxing destination for both foreign and local tourists
Acting officer of the DoT-Boracay Kristoffer Leo Vellete, in an interview on Thursday afternoon, said that Boracay has registered more than 1.2 million tourists from January to July this year.
"This showed that Boracay remains unaffected with the ongoing martial law declaration in the South. We remain positive of the Boracay tourism for this year," he said.
The DoT is currently preparing for September, the month when the so -called "super peak season " starts. The "super peak season" for Boracay usually ends June of the succeeding year.
Vellete was in Kalibo on Thursday afternoon as guest of the Sangguniang Bayan in its regular weekly session.
He said that while they are promoting Boracay as an energetic destination because of its rich night life activities. The town of Kalibo can serve as a relaxing destination for both foreign and local tourists
Miyerkules, Agosto 9, 2017
BSP: Visayas moderately recovering from Supertyphoon Yolanda
Businesses in the Visayas region are now recovering economically from Supertyphoon Yolanda, which devastated the area in November 2013, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.
Fernando Silvoza, deputy director of the BSP’s Department of Economic Statistics, said of the four regions in the Visayas, only the Cebu region has, so far, begun economically progressing.
This was the gist of Silvoza’s message during the 2017 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for BSP Stakeholders held at the Amigo Terrace Hotel on Wednesday noon. This year’s theme was “Transforming Shared Visions into Dynamic Partnership”.
Millions of pesos worth of investments and livelihoods was adversely affected during the onslaught of Yolanda.
Juan De Zuniga Jr., a member of the Monetary Board, was keynote speaker.
Silvoza said the other three regions, particularly Eastern Visayas, are still much affected, while Western Visayas and Negros Island are moderately recovering from the onslaught.
The economic indicators were generated from a survey the BSP conducted in the different stakeholders in the Visayas. Part of the presentation made by Silvoza was generated from Philippine Statistics Authority data and from the BSP.
Silvoza added the Visayas regions still posted an 8.5-percent increase in 2016. The Western Visayas economy expanded by 6.1 percent in 2016.
“Financial resources continue to expand—more banks and more loans granted by banks in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, compared to a year ago across all regions of the Visayas,” he said.
The inflation in Western Visayas, however, was low, and within the government target at the first half of this year.
Business confidence is less favorable for Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas, while more upbeat in Central Visayas region.
Positive employment prospects was noted in Western Visayas and Central Visayas but negative for Eastern Visayas.
“Overall, increasing financial resources and stable inflation support sustained economic growth in [the] Visayas for 2017, but focus on job creation and provision of more loans could help accelerate economic growth and improve living conditions of the jobless and small businesses”, he said.
Meanwhile, among those who were given awards were: the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Aklan chapter; ABS-CBN Iloilo; Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Aklan for best Outstanding Regional Partner for Demonitization Program; and the Department of Education regional office for Outstanding Partner for Child Education among others.
Fernando Silvoza, deputy director of the BSP’s Department of Economic Statistics, said of the four regions in the Visayas, only the Cebu region has, so far, begun economically progressing.
This was the gist of Silvoza’s message during the 2017 Awards Ceremony and Appreciation Lunch for BSP Stakeholders held at the Amigo Terrace Hotel on Wednesday noon. This year’s theme was “Transforming Shared Visions into Dynamic Partnership”.
Millions of pesos worth of investments and livelihoods was adversely affected during the onslaught of Yolanda.
Juan De Zuniga Jr., a member of the Monetary Board, was keynote speaker.
Silvoza said the other three regions, particularly Eastern Visayas, are still much affected, while Western Visayas and Negros Island are moderately recovering from the onslaught.
The economic indicators were generated from a survey the BSP conducted in the different stakeholders in the Visayas. Part of the presentation made by Silvoza was generated from Philippine Statistics Authority data and from the BSP.
Silvoza added the Visayas regions still posted an 8.5-percent increase in 2016. The Western Visayas economy expanded by 6.1 percent in 2016.
“Financial resources continue to expand—more banks and more loans granted by banks in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, compared to a year ago across all regions of the Visayas,” he said.
The inflation in Western Visayas, however, was low, and within the government target at the first half of this year.
Business confidence is less favorable for Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas, while more upbeat in Central Visayas region.
Positive employment prospects was noted in Western Visayas and Central Visayas but negative for Eastern Visayas.
“Overall, increasing financial resources and stable inflation support sustained economic growth in [the] Visayas for 2017, but focus on job creation and provision of more loans could help accelerate economic growth and improve living conditions of the jobless and small businesses”, he said.
Meanwhile, among those who were given awards were: the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Aklan chapter; ABS-CBN Iloilo; Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Aklan for best Outstanding Regional Partner for Demonitization Program; and the Department of Education regional office for Outstanding Partner for Child Education among others.
Sabado, Agosto 5, 2017
STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS 2017
BY GOV. FLORENCIO “JOEBEN” T. MIRAFLORES
FOR GOOD REASON, I AM GIVING THIS ADDRESS HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR AND NOT ON THE USUAL YEAR-OPENING SCHEDULE.
SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE AND SO WE ATTENDED TO OUR PRIMARY DUTIES FIRST.
BUT TODAY, FOR EVERYBODY’S APPRECIATION, I WILL REPORT ON LAST YEAR’S PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNEY.
SENATOR CYNTHIA VILLAR,
VICE GOVERNOR REYNALDO “BOY” M. QUIMPO,
MEMBERS OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN,
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, FELLOW SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
FOR A PUBLIC SERVANT, IT’S AN UNWRITTEN RULE TO ASPIRE FOR SOMETHING BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SERVE.
ONE THING I LEARNED FROM ALL MY 35 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE IS THAT THERE IS ALWAYS THAT GOOD REASON TO DREAM.
WHEN I ASSUMED THE GOVERNORSHIP IN 1995, I DID NOT LINGER ON THE IDEA THAT WHAT OUR PROVINCE IS CAPABLE OF, OR DESERVES, IS JUST SOMETHING PROPORTIONATE TO OUR SMALL GEOGRAPHICAL SIZE.
I FIRMLY BELIEVED THEN AND CONTINUED TO BELIEVE STILL, THAT OUR AKLAN CAN ACHIEVE BIG THINGS FOR ITS PEOPLE.
TRUE ENOUGH, WITH OUR HARD WORK THROUGH THE YEARS, OUR DREAMS THEN ARE TANGIBLE NOW, AND OUR SMALL PROVINCE IS NOW AMONGST THOSE THAT MODEL THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMIC PROGRESS.
HARA NGA ESTADO MADASIG NATONG NAABOT DAHIL SA MAABTIK NGA SUPORTA IT SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN.
A GOVERNOR CAN ONLY HOPE FOR FATE TO INTERVENE TO BE PARTNERED WITH A SANGGUNIAN THAT IS SUPPORTIVE, COOPERATIVE, AND PROACTIVE.
AKLANONS WILL NEVER FEEL SHORTCHANGED WITH THE 2016 LEGISLATIVE PERFORMANCE OF 309 RESOLUTIONS, 9 GENERAL ORDINANCES, 8 SPECIAL ORDINANCES, AND 12 APPROPRIATION ORDINANCES. INDEED, A WORKING SANGGUNIAN.
THROUGH THE DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP OF VICE GOVERNOR BILLIE CALIZO-QUIMPO THEN AND NOW WITH VICE GOVERNOR BOY QUIMPO, THE SP IS NOW ISO CERTIFIED. OUR LEGISLATIVE OFFICE’S COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY- ACCEPTED STANDARDS MEANS A HIGH LEVEL OF COMMITMENT LEADING TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF TRUST AND CREDIBILITY FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS.
ALL THESE CANNOT ESCAPE OUR ATTENTION AND IT IS BUT FITTING, THAT OUR SANGGUNIAN BE HOUSED IN THIS NEW EDIFICE WHOSE GRANDEUR IS REFLECTIVE OF AKLAN’S ASPIRATION AND OF WHAT IT HAS BECOME.
KUNG TAN-AWON NATON DU BAG-O AG MAYAD-AYAD NGA BUILDING IT ATONG SANGUNIAN, KITA TANAN MAKAPAINO-INO NGA MAEAYO EON DU HAABOT IT ATONG PROBINSIYA PAG-ABOT SA PROGRESO.
TAKING INSPIRATION, WE WILL ALSO IMPROVE AND BEAUTIFY THE REST OF THE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL COMPLEX. WE CAN ALL EXPECT THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, THE GODOFREDO RAMOS PARK WILL BE A TOURIST ATTRACTION IN ITSELF, AN IDEAL PLACE FOR FAMILY RECREATION AND RELAXATION, A CONVENIENT VENUE FOR EVENTS, AND A CENTER FOR SPECIAL TRADE ACTIVITIES.
BEFORE SHARING FURTHER WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT, LET ME ELUCIDATE FIRST ON THE STATUS OF OUR COFFERS.
WE ARE IN A VERY GOOD PLACE RIGHT NOW AS FAR AS OUR LOCALLY SOURCED TAX REVENUE IS CONCERNED.
I WILL BREAK IT TO YOU IN THREE STATEMENTS:
FIRSTLY, THE PROVINCIAL TREASURER'S OFFICE MANAGED TO COLLECT 100.3 MILLION PESOS IN TAXES FROM JANUARY-DECEMBER 2016, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE FROM OUR 2015 COLLECTION OF 95.9 MILLION PESOS.
SECONDLY, BASED ON OUR 2017 FIRST SEMESTER PERFORMANCE, OUR REAL PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS INCREASED BY 10.2 MILLION PESOS AS COMPARED TO THAT OF 2016. THIS MEANS A COLLECTION EFFICIENCY OF 51%.
LASTLY, THE RPT COLLECTIONS FOR THE WHOLE CALENDAR YEAR OF 2016 IN THE AMOUNT OF 28.9 MILLION PESOS HAS ALREADY BEEN SURPASSED WITH JUST THE PRESENT YEAR’S JANUARY TO JUNE PERFORMANCE OF 30.4 MILLION PESOS.
THESE FIGURES WOULD NOT HAVE MATERIALIZED IF NOT FOR EFFICIENT CONDUCT OF APPRAISAL ACTIVITIES, TIMELY PROCESSING OF REAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT TRANSACTIONS AND AGGRESSIVE COLLECTION.
A MAJOR PART OF OUR COLLECTION WAS ALSO THE PRODUCT OF A GOOD NUMBER OF REMINDER AND DEMAND LETTERS TO OUR TAXABLE INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES.
SOME MAY HAVE BEEN STRESSED ABOUT IT AND PAID IN PROTEST, BUT LET ME APPEAL TO ALL, THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IS JUST DOING ITS JOB AND THAT TAXPAYERS ARE OUR INDISPENSABLE PARTNERS FOR PROGRESS.
MERE MENTION OF TAXES, IN WHATEVER FORM OR NAME, ALREADY SOUNDS BURDENSOME FOR MOST OF YOU.
A TAX, NO MATTER HOW NEGATIVE SOMETIMES IT IS PERCEIVED, IS THAT ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN NATION BUILDING.
BUT WE DON’T PASS ALL THE BURDEN OF FUNDING PROGRESS TO OUR TAX PAYERS.
THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IS IN CONSTANT PURSUIT OF THAT STATUS OF LESS-DEPENDENCY ON THE INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT, OR IRA.
WE HAVE ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE TO INNOVATE IN CREATING ENTERPRISES TO GAIN ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO SUPPORT OUR MANDATED SERVICES.
OUR TAX COLLECTION ONLY REPRESENTS HALF OF THE EQUATION, SO LET US TURN OUR EYES ON THE OTHER HALF.
OUR ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORTED A REVENUE GENERATION OF 534.8 MILLION PESOS FOR THE WHOLE OF 2016. I AM GLAD TO REPORT THAT COMPARING THE JANUARY TO JUNE REVENUE OF THIS YEAR AND THAT OF 2016, WE ALREADY SURPASSED IT BY 2.5 MILLION.
WITH NOTHING VENTURED, THERE WILL BE NOTHING GAINED.
IF WE DO NOT TAKE CALCULATED RISKS, WE WON’T IMPROVE OUR SITUATION.
HAD WE NOT LEASED OUT AN IDLE PROPERTY OF THE PROVINCE LAST AUGUST 2014 TO ATTY. DANILO PADILLA, A JOLLIBEE FRANCHISEE, WE WOULD NOT HAVE GAINED 3 MILLION PESOS IN RENTAL INCOME.
HAD WE NOT INVESTED IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE GOV. CORAZON L. CABAGNOT TOURISM AND TRAINING CENTER, THE PROVINCIAL PROPERTY WOULD HAVE REMAINED DILAPIDATED. NOW, AKLANONS CAN AVAIL OF A VERY PRESENTABLE AND REASONABLY PRICED VENUE WITH HOMEY ACCOMMODATIONS FOR SEMINARS, TRAININGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS. COMPARING THE 2015 AND 2016 INCOME OF HALL RENTALS AND ACCOMMODATIONS, THE CENTER WAS ABLE TO GROW THE 1.5 MILLION PESOS INCOME IN 2015 TO 2.7 MILLION PESOS IN 2016.
HAD WE BEEN SOFT IN OUR RESOLVE TO TAKE ON THAT WIND OF CHANGE BY CONSTRUCTING AND CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVING THE CATICLAN AND CAGBAN JETTY PORT AND PASSENGER TERMINAL, AKLAN WOULD NOT HAVE A CASH COW THAT PRODUCED 329.2 MILLION PESOS FOR 2015 AND 382.5 MILLION PESOS FOR 2016.
HAD WE LACKED UNDERSTANDING AND FORESIGHT, WE WOULD NOT HAVE IN THE WORKS THE TRANSFORMATION OF AN INACTIVE PIECE OF PROPERTY INTO THE PASEO DE AKLAN COMMERCIAL CENTER. FAMOUS INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO LOCATE IN THE AREA.
THIS WILL ADD VIBRANCE TO THE ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE OF KALIBO. APART FROM MAKING THE AREA INTO A COMMERCIAL STRIP WITH VERY PROMISING REVENUE GENERATION POTENTIAL, IT WILL ALSO OPEN UP EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN SYNC WITH THE JOB GENERATION INITIATIVES OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF AKLAN.
WE SHOULD ALL BE THRILLED WITH THESE FIGURES AND THE PROMISE THAT IT BRINGS.
SO WHY DO WE INNOVATE? WHY IS IT THAT THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT SLACKEN IN THIS ASPECT? AND WHY ACT ON ALL THESE WITH VIGOR AND COMMITMENT?
SIMPLY BECAUSE FORESIGHT IS BETTER THAN HINDSIGHT.
IT IS BETTER TO ANTICIPATE AND PREVENT THE FUTURE PROBLEMS OUR PROVICE WILL ENCOUNTER THAN TO REALIZE HOW THEY COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED AFTER THE FACT.
WITH GROWTH AND PROGRESS, COMES BIGGER RESPONSIBILITIES.
OUR TOURISM REPORT INDICATES 1.7 MILLION TOURIST ARRIVALS LAST 2016 AND 1.1 MILLION ARRIVALS ALREADY FOR JUST THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2017. WE WOULD HAVE TO FURTHER IMPROVE OUR SUPPORT FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE LIKE, TO COPE WITH THE STEADY INCREASE IN ARRIVALS.
WITH 75 TO 80 INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS PER WEEK AND 155 TO 160 DOMESTIC FLIGHTS PER WEEK, OUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLEMENT THE UPGRADING EFFORTS OF THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED THAT KALIBO WILL NOT BE AT THE LOSING END WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF CATICLAN AIRPORT. STATISTICS WOULD SHOW THAT THE NUMBER OF PASSENGER ARRIVAL IN 2016 AT KALIBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS 1,343,683 COMPARED TO CATICLAN AIRPORT WITH ONLY 368,143.
SA HARA MAN NGA BAGAY, KINAHANGEAN NATON PABASKUGON RU IBA PA GID NATON NGA MGA DESTINASYON EOWAS SA ISLA IT BORACAY.
WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN KALIBO AND ITS TOURISM POTENTIAL.
THE PROVINCE RECEIVED AN UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL FOR JOINT VENTURE ARRANGEMENT WITH MABUHAY MARITIME EXPRESS TRANSPORT, INC. FOR THE KALIBO RECLAMATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. THE COMPANY, WHICH IS MAJORITY OWNED BY PHILIPPINE AIRLINES, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JAN DE NUL GROUP OF BELGIUM HAS SIGNIFIED ITS INTENT TO UNDERTAKE A RECLAMATION PROJECT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING A FERRY TERMINAL WITH MIXED-USE COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS ALONG THE COASTAL AREA OF KALIBO, PARTICULARLY IN THE COASTAL AREA OF BRGY. POOK, KALIBO, AKLAN. THE RECLAMATION WILL PROVIDE WATERWAYS AND RIVER CHANNELS, WHICH WILL DIRECT THE INFLOW AND OUTFLOW OF WATER IN THE RIVER SYSTEM THAT DRAINS THE FLOODWATER OF KALIBO.
THE RECLAMATION AREA WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A TOURIST TAKE-OFF POINT FROM KALIBO AIRPORT TO THE ISLAND OF BORACAY.
THE MASTER PLAN IS A PICTURE OF A MODERN COMMUNITY, A BUSINESS HUB AND RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX ALONG THE KALIBO COASTLINE. THIS WILL RESHAPE KALIBO FROM BEING A MERE GATEWAY BUT A DESIRABLE TOURIST DESTINATION ITSELF.
SA PAREHAS NGA ISTORYA IT PARTNERSHIP, SA OPISYAL NGA PAG-AGTO NAKON SA FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, SA AMERICA PARA MAGING ISAEA SA DELEGASYON IT PILIPINAS SA SEATRADE CRUISE CONFERENCE KARANG BUEAN IT MARSO KAIBAHAN SI TOURISM UNDERSECRETARY BENITO BENGZON, JR., AG RO VICE PRESIDENT IT ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LTD. FOR NEW COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT NGA SI JOHN TERCEK, NAGKASUGOT NGA MAGHIMO IT PORT IYA SA AKLAN DAHIL GAPATI SI VICE PRESIDENT TERCEK NGA RO ATONG LUGAR HAY MABAHOE RO POTENSYAL NGA MANGING CRUISE HUB.
GINKASUGTANAN IT DOT, PROBINSYA IT AKEAN AG ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LTD. CRUISE COMPANY NGA PAGATAW-AN IT KINAHANGEANON NGA TECHNICAL AG PINANSYAL NGA SUPPORTA PARA SA PAGHIMO IT TERMINAL NGA MAGING HOMEPORT SA CATICLAN O SA BORACAY.
WE RECIEVED 16 CRUISE SHIP ARRIVALS LAST 2016 AND EXPECTING 27 ARRIVALS FOR 2017.
WITH THE ENTRANCE OF BIG INVESTORS, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THIS MOMENTUM AND CAPITALIZE ON THE POTENTIAL OF OUR PROVINCE. FOR THIS PURPOSE, WE CREATED THE AKLAN INVESTMENT AND PROMOTION CENTER THROUGH THE LOCAL ECONOMIC AND INVESTMENT PROMOTIONS OFFICER WITH MS. GABRIELLE CALIZO-QUIMPO AS CONSULTANT ON TRADE AND TOURISM. THE PRIMARY TASK OF THE AIPC IS TO SERVE AS THE FULL SERVICE OFFICE WHO WILL CATER TO THE INQUIRIES, FACILITATION, HANDLING OF PROSPECT INVESTORS, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ICT SUCH AS TECH4ED.
GINADAYAW KO MAN DU PAGPABASKOG IT MGA NEGOSYO KU ATONG DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. MAY ATON EON NGA SIYAM KA NEGOSYO CENTERS SA AKLAN NGA KUNG SIIN HAUM MAN MAG-ALALAY SA ATON NGA MGA MAISOT NGA NEGOSYANTE.
SA UMAN, HARA NGA MGA DAEAGKO NGA INVESTMENTS SA AKLAN AG MGA SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES HAY MAGABUKAS IT MAABO NGA OPPORTUNIDAD IT TRABAHO PARA SA ATONG MGA PUMUEOYO.
WITH A POPULATION OF AROUND 600 THOUSAND AND GROWING, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTINUOUSLY STRENGTHEN OUR HEALTHCARE SERVICE.
SO IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE ONLY WAY WE CAN FACE THESE POSSIBILITIES HEAD ON, IS IF OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT REMAIN FINANCIALLY SOUND TO FUND OUR SERVICES AND FURTHER IMPROVE OUR FACILITIES.
LET ME FURTHER SHARE IN DETAIL A CONCRETE EXAMPLE OF THE EFFECT OF ENGAGING IN ENTERPRISE TO OUR GOVERNANCE.
FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS, THE OPERATIONS OF THE CATICLAN AND CAGBAN JETTY PORTS HAS PROVEN TO BE AN UNSWERVING SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR THE PROVINCE AS A TOTAL OF 861 MILLION PESOS WAS GENERATED FROM TOLL AND TERMINAL FEES, CARGO FEES AND OTHER PORT CHARGES.
THE COST OF OPERATING THE 2 PORTS FROM 2014-2016 AMOUNTED TO 171 MILLION PESOS. IT FOLLOWS THEN THAT ON THAT SAME PERIOD, THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT ATTAINED A NET INCOME OF 690 MILLION PESOS FROM PORT OPERATIONS.
WITH THIS AMOUNT AT OUR DISPOSAL, WE MANAGED TO BANKROLL THE OPERATIONS OF THE OTHER EEDD UNITS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ENGAGE IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, OUR HOSPITALS.
IF WE LOOK AT THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF OUR DR. RAFAEL S. TUMBUKON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, IBAJAY DISTRICT HOSPITAL AND ALTAVAS DISTRICT HOSPITAL FROM 2014-2016, IT WOULD INDICATE THAT THE THREE EEDD HOSPITALS INCURRED OPERATIONAL EXPENSES OF 1.1 BILLION PESOS WHILE EARNING REVENUES OF 592 MILLION PESOS.
WITH EASE, WE MANAGED TO COPE WITH THE BALANCE OF 486 MILLION PESOS TO SUSTAIN HOSPITAL OPERATIONS FROM THE NET INCOME OF THE CATICLAN AND CAGBAN JETTY PORTS.
WE NEED TO HAVE THAT FINANCIAL LEVERAGE FOR OUR HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND WE NEED TO REINFORCE IT FURTHER.
IN MY SECOND TERM BEING YOUR GOVERNOR, I HEARD YOUR CALL TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH SYSTEM OF OUR PROVINCE. PROOF OF OUR EARNEST DESIRE TO PRODUCE A VERY SIGNIFICANT OUTCOME IN THIS NEED IS OUR TAKING PART IN THE PROVINCIAL LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE PROGRAM OR PLGP.
THIS IS AN 18 MONTH PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REGIONAL OFFICE AND THE ZUELLIG FAMILY FOUNDATION THAT AIMS TO DEVELOP THE BRIDGING LEADERSHIP OF OUR KEY PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS TO BE ABLE TO IMPROVE OUR HEALTH SYSTEM WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO CLOSING THE HEALTH EQUITY GAP.
PARA MA-EXPERIENSYAHAN NAKON RU MINATUOD-TUOD NGA SITWASYON IT ATONG MGA KASIMANWA EABI GID RU MGA KUBOS.NAGBISITA AKO SA ISAEANG KA MAEAYO NGA BARANGAY SA BURUANGA.HAISTURYA NAKON RU PAMILYA IT SANG KA NANAY NGA NAMATAY SA ANANG PAGUNGA. ACCORDING TO HER HUSBAND, SHE DELIVERED THEIR 7TH CHILD AT HOME WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LOCAL HILOT BECAUSE SHE WAS AFRAID AND“NAHUYA” TO BE REPRIMANDED BY THE HEALTH WORKERS FOR GETTING PREGNANT AGAIN, NGANI UWA IMAW NAG-ADTO SA HEALTH CENTER. IT TOOK THEM 5 HOURS TO REACH THE HOSPITAL. HOWEVER ON TRANSIT, THE MOTHER ALREADY BLED TO DEATH. THIS IS A CLEAR PICTURE THAT OUR SERVICE DELIVERY NETWORK IS NOT WORKING FOR US, MOST ESPECIALLY FOR OUR POOR KASIMANWAS.
DURING THIS VISIT, I ALSO HAD A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE A DIALOGUE WITH OUR SENIOR CITIZENS, BHWS AND SOME PREGNANT MOTHERS. WHEN I ASKED THEM REGARDING THEIR EXPERIENCES IN SEEKING HEALTH SERVICES, THEIR COMMON ANSWER WAS“GOV, KUNG HIKITA ABI NGA EOTAYUN AMONG SIKI HAY WA MAN KAMI NASAPAKA.”
THIS IS A PAINFUL TRUTH FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS. EAIN RO PAGTRATO SA ATONG MGA POBRE NGA KASIMANWA KUMPARA SA ATONG MGA MAY KAPASIDAD SA PAGPANGABUHI. THAT’S WHY I REALIZED THAT OUR HEALTH SYSTEM SHOULD BE EQUITABLE AND RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE ESPECIALLY THE POOR.
WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 149,670 INDIGENTS TO DATE ACCORDING TO PHILHEALTH. THESE PEOPLE SHOULD RECEIVE PRIORITY ESPECIALLY IN THE ACCESS OF OUR HEALTH SERVICES FROM THE BARANGAY LEVEL UP TO THE PROVINCIAL LEVEL.
ANOTHER REALIZATION FOR ME IS THAT AS A GOVERNOR I SHOULD LOOK AT OUR HEALTH SYSTEM IN A MORE HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE, ENCOMPASSING NOT ONLY THE CURATIVE SIDE BUT ALSO THE PREVENTIVE SIDE. CASE IN POINT OUR PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL. BEING A REFERRAL HOSPITAL, THEY SHOULD CATER TO MORE COMPLICATED CASES, HOWEVER OUR HEALTH STATISTICS SHOW THAT 86% OF THE DELIVERIES IN OUR PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL ARE NORMAL DELIVERIES. IN ORDER TO DECONGEST OUR HOSPITAL, WE NEED COLLABORATION WITH OUR MUNICIPALITIES. AS OF NOW, WE ONLY HAVE 9 MUNICIPALITIES THAT HAVE BIRTHING FACILITIES THAT ARE ACCREDITED BY PHILHEALTH. TO ADDRESS THIS PRESSING NEED TOGETHER WITH THE MAYORS, WE AIMED TO ACHIEVE A 100% FUNCTIONAL AND ACCREDITED BIRTHING FACILITIES IN EVERY TOWN BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
FURTHER, ON THE CURATIVE SIDE, WE ALSO NEED TO STRENGTHEN OUR HOSPITALS. WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, MANPOWER AND FACILITY TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE. THROUGH 2016 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET NO. 4, THE PROVINCIAL BUDGET OFFICE WAS ABLE TO SOURCE THE AMOUNT OF 15.1 MILLION PESOS WHICH WE INVESTED IN HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT, FURNITURE AND FIXTURES FOR OUR 5 PERIPHERAL HOSPITALS. IN 2017, WE ALSO INVESTED 19.4 MILLION PESOS.
ALSO, THEDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COMPLEMENTED OUR FUNDING REQUIREMENTS TO VARIOUS UPGRADING PROJECTS FOR OUR HOSPITALS AND OUR COMBINED EFFORTS TO DATE AMOUNT TO: 169 MILLION PESOS FOR DR. RAFAEL S. TUMBUKON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL;
• 94.9 MILLION PESOS FOR CIRIACO S. TIROL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL;
• 42.4 MILLION PESOS FOR IBAJAY DISTRICT HOSPITAL;
• 20 MILLION PESOS FOR ALTAVAS DISTRICT HOSPITAL;
• 14.4 MILLION PESOS FOR DON LEOVIGILDO DIAPO SR. MEMORIAL HOSPITAL;
• 6.3 MILLION PESOS FOR LIBACAO MUNICIPAL INFIRMARY
• 6.2 MILLION PESOS FOR MALAY MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
• 12.5 MILLION PESOS FOR BURUANGA MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL; AND
WE ALSO HAVE HIRED ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL IN ALL OUR HOSPITALS THROUGH OUR PROVINCIAL HUMAN RESOURCE AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE. THE ASTOUNDING INCREASE IN PERCENTAGE MOST ESPECIALLY TO OUR MUNICIPAL HOSPITALS SIGNIFIES OUR COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE OUR HEALTH SYSTEM.
WE ALSO HAVE INVESTED IN INSTITUTIONALIZING A FUNCTIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEM IN ALL OUR HOSPITALS SO THAT WE WILL HAVE TIMELY, RELEVANT AND RELIABLE HEALTH DATA. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIVISION AND HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS OF THE PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICE, WE HAVE STARTED THE IHOMIS IMPLEMENTATION IN OUR MUNICIPAL AND DISTRICT HOSPITALS.
ALL OF THESE PROVED TO BE NECESSARY INVESTMENTS BECAUSE NOW, ALL THE 8 PROVINCIAL OWNED HOSPITALS SUCCESSFULLY RENEWED THEIR LICENSE TO OPERATE FOR 2017. SIGNIFICANT TO MENTION IS THAT THE LIBACAO MUNICIPAL INFIRMARY WHICH HAS BEEN OFFERING OUTPATIENT SERVICES ONLY FOR 7 YEARS, IS NOW FINALLY LICENSED AS AN INFIRMARY. THE CIRIACO S. TIROL HOSPITAL ALSO GOT THEIR LICENSE TO OPERATE AS AN INFIRMARY AFTER TWO YEARS OF OFFERING OPD SERVICES ONLY DUE TO CONSTRUCTION OF HOSPITAL FACILITY.
THERE IS ALSO A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE UTILIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES OF OUR HOSPITALS ESPECIALLY THE MUNICIPAL HOSPITALS AS SHOWN BY THE INCREASING NUMBER OF OPD CONSULTS AND ADMISSIONS.
ABO NGA SAEAMAT SA ATON NGA MGA CHIEF OF HOSPITALS AG MUNICIPAL HEALTH OFFICERS. PADAYUN NATONG SADYAON RUNG PAGDUMAEA IT ATONG MGA HOSPITAL AG RHUS NGA MAY PAGKABAEAKA SA BAEATYAGON IT ATONG MGA PASYENTE EABI GID DU MGA POBRE.
ABO MAN NGA SAEAMAT SA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SA KAABO NGA BULIG SA AKLAN PAAGI SA MGA SUPORTA SA MGA FACILIDAD AG SA MGA PROGRAMA NGA GINA-IMPLEMENTAR IT PROBINSIYA PAAGI SA PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICE.
AS THEY SAY, HEALTH REQUIRES HEALTHY FOOD. HEALTHY FOOD THEN REQUIRES A HEALTHY AGRICULTURE SECTOR.
WE HAVE APPROPRIATED 95 MILLION PESOS FOR AGRICULTURE LAST 2016.
WHEN FARMERS SUCCEED, WE SUCCEED. TRULY IT IS OUR FARMERS THAT FEED, CLOTHE AND FUEL OUR SOCIETY.
ANALYSIS BY OUR PROVINCIAL AGRICULTURE OFFICE WOULD SHOW THAT WHILE OUR RICE SUFFICIENCY INDEX FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS INDICATES AN INCREASING TREND, ITS SUFFICIENCY LEVEL IS STILL BELOW 100%. THIS MEANS THAT WE ARE PRODUCING LESS THAN WE NEED, THAT OUR PRODUCTION VOLUME DOES NOT KEEP UP WITH OUR POPULATION GROWTH.
SO WE NEED TO INNOVATE TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN OUR RICE PRODUCTIVITY.
WE IMPLEMENTED THE 10 MILLION PESO CERTIFIED SEEDS AND FERTILIZER SUBSIDY PROGRAM TO COMPLEMENT THE EXISTING HYBRID RICE COMMERCIALIZATION PROGRAM.
WE MADE CERTIFIED SEEDS THAT ARE HIGH IN GENETIC PURITY, HIGH IN GERMINATION AND VIGOUR, AND OF GOOD QUALITY AVAILABLE TO FARMERS AT SUBSIDIZED PRICE. IT ENSURES THE ATTAINMENT OF A MAXIMUM YIELD OF 6 TO 10 METRIC TONNES PER HECTARE OR 143 TO 238 CAVANS PER HECTARE.
THE SUBSIDY ALSO COVERS FERTILIZER, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT INPUTS IN RICE PRODUCTION, IN VIEW OF CONSIDERABLE FERTILIZER PRICE INCREASE ALONG WITH SIGNIFICANT FERTILITY LOSS IN MOST RICE LAND.
BY DESIGN, THE PROGRAM CATERS TO ORGANIZED GROUP OF RICE FARMERS ACROSS THE PROVINCE AND UTILIZES THE 50:50 SCHEME OF FINANCIAL SUBSIDY. AS OF DATE, THE AREA PLANTED IS AT 3,196 HECTARES AND BENEFITED 3,159 FARMERS OR 95 FARMERS’ ASSOCIATIONS ACROSS THE PROVINCE.
IN PLACE ALSO IS OUR FARM MECHANIZATION PROGRAM & SUPPORT TO SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS. IT PROVIDES AGRICULTURAL MACHINERIES AND FACILITIES TO FARMER ORGANIZATIONS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE PRODUCTION, MINIMIZE LABOR REQUIREMENT AND IMPROVE FARM EFFICIENCY OPERATIONS.
LAST 2015, THE PROVINCE ALLOCATED 1 MILLION AS COUNTERPART TO THE RICE MECHANIZATION PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BENEFITTING 7 FARMER ORGANIZATIONS EACH WITH ONE FARMING EQUIPMENT. THIS YEAR, THE PROVINCE ALLOCATED 10 MILLION PESOS TO DISTRIBUTE 25 HAND TRACTORS, 25 RICE THRESHERS, 10 TILLERS, 5 REAPERS AND KNAPSACK SPRAYERS TO ACTIVE AND DESERVING RICE FARMING ORGANIZATIONS IN AKLAN.
WE INTEND TO DELIVER THESE EQUIPMENT TO AT LEAST 100 ORGANIZATIONS BEFORE END OF THIS CROPPING SEASON.
TO COMPLEMENT THE EFFORTS OF THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION THE PROVINCE HAS ALSO ALLOCATED THIS YEAR P900,000.00 FOR SUPPORT TO SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS BY PROVIDING WATER PUMPS AND ENGINES AS WELL AS IMPROVEMENT OF SMALL IRRIGATION SYSTEMS.
WE INTEND TO CONTINUE AND SUPPORT THIS PROJECT AS WE PROPOSE TO INCREASE THIS ALLOCATION BY THREE TIMES FOR 2018.
OUR PHILIPPINE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT-INVESTMENT FOR RURAL ENTERPRISES FOR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERY PRODUCTIVITY OR PRDP-IREAP PROJECTS HAS BEEN FINALLY IMPLEMENTED AFTER THREE YEARS OF COMPLYING WITH VARIOUS DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS AS WELL AS THE STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS OF THE WORLD BANK.
THE 1ST TRANCHE RELEASE OF THE FINANCIAL GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE – PHILIPPINE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AMOUNTING TO P 2, 030,650.00 WORTH OF LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE WAS ALREADY RECEIVED BY THE BAY-ANG FISHERFOLKS ASSOCIATION OF BRGY. BAY-ANG, BATAN, AKLAN FOR THEIR “OYSTER AND MUSSEL PRODUCTION AND MARKETING” AND THE MAN-UP MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE OF SITIO DINAUT, MAN-UP, ALTAVAS FOR THEIR“REHABILITATION OF COCONUT MINI OIL MILL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SMALL-SCALE COCO-BASED CRUDE OIL AND COPRA CAKES”.
LET ME REITERATE MY CHALLENGE TO THE BENEFICIARIES TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROJECTS. LET US SHOW OUR BENEFACTORS THAT WE ARE DESERVING OF SUCH ASSISTANCE.
OUR ABACA PRODUCTION SHOWS PROMISE AS WELL. THE PHILIPPINE FIBER INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REPORTED THAT AKLAN RANKS NUMBER 9 IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY FOR ABACA PRODUCTION. OUR 2016 PRODUCTION IS AT 2,400 METRIC TONS AS COMPARED TO THE 1,450 METRIC TONS OF 2015.
THE PHILIPPINE COCONUT INDUSTRY REPORTED THAT WITH ITS PARTICIPATORY COCONUT PLANTING PROJECT, 187,000 COCONUT SEEDLINGS WERE PLANTED COVERING AN AREA OF 1,870 HECTARES. FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE PROJECT WAS PARTICIPATED BY 1,752 FARMERS.
AKLAN IS THANKFUL TO OUR DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM FOR THE CONTINUED EXTENSION OF SERVICES TO OUR AGRARIAN REFORM BENEFICIARIES ESPECIALLY IN MAKING THEIR LANDS MORE PRODUCTIVE. THE DAR FUNDED POST-HARVEST FACILITY IN NAZARETH, BURUANGA IS INDEED A WELCOME SUPPORT FACILITY.
THE NFA PERFORMANCE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED IN TERMSOF PROCUREMENT OF PALAY FROM 4679 BAGS IN 2015 TO 10581 BAGS IN 2016.FURTHERMORE, THEY WERE ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE 61.31% OF BAGS TO NFA ACCREDITED RETAILERS, LGUS, AND CHARITABLE/PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS
IN AS MUCH AS WE TOIL THE LAND, WE ALSO ENSURE THAT WE TAKE CARE OF IT. LAST 2015, THE AKLAN ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE FACILITATED THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE SANGGUNIANG BARANGAY OF DALAGSAAN, LIBACAO AND THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT RELATIVE TO THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT GREENING PROGRAM INITIATIVE.
I AM HAPPY TO SHARE THAT OUR BENEFICIARIES IN THE UPLANDS OF LIBACAO HAS ALREADY STARTED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NURSERY. AN INITIAL POTTING PRODUCTION AND INITIAL SEEDLING PRODUCTION OF MORE THAN 5,000 INDIGENOUS AND FRUIT TREE SEEDLINGS WERE RAISED IN THE NURSERY STARTING FROM JUNE 2016 ONWARDS WITH THE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF OUR AKLANON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.
MY COMMENDATIONS TO OUR DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES-PENRO AKLAN FOR COVERING 100% OF THE TARGETED 1,414 HECTARES FOR OUR NATIONAL GREENING PROGRAM. YOU HAVE MANAGED TO SURPASS THE TARGET OF 2,356,000 THOUSAND SEEDLINGS BY PRODUCING 2,597,023 SEEDLINGS.
AS FOR OUR VETERINARY INITIATIVES, THE OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL VETERINARIAN REPORTED THAT THE BANNER PROGRAMS OF GENETIC IMPROVEMENT THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION COVERED 105 BARANGAYS IN 2016 TO 2017. A TOTAL OF 848 CATTLE AND CARABAO OFFSPRINGS OR CALF DROP WERE PRODUCED, 1,877 ANIMALS INSEMINATED WHILE 2, 166 CLIENTS AVAILED FREE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION SERVICES. THE PROVINCE MAINTAINED ITS STATUS AS A TOP PRODUCING PROVINCE IN WESTERN VISAYAS IN TERMS OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION PRODUCED BEEF CATTLE.
I HAVE INSTRUCTED OUR VETERINARIANS TO INTENSIFY OUR RABIES PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM. ANIMAL BITE IS THE THIRD HIGHEST CAUSE OF MORBIDITY IN THE PROVINCE.
TO SUCCEED IN AGRICULTURE, WE HAVE TO BUILD THE ROADS. INADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE WILL LIMIT THE CONNECTIVITY TO THE MARKETS. IF OUR RURAL AREAS HAVE ROAD NETWORKS CONNECTING THEM TO THE ECONOMIC CENTERS, IT RAISES AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY, WHICH IN TURN INDUCES GROWTH. THE RISE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY WILL RESULT IN REDUCED PRICE OF FOOD AND THUS, REDUCES POVERTY.
THIS IS THE PREMISE WHY WE EMBARKED ON OUR PRDP-IBUILD JOURNEY.
I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THIS FLAGSHIP PROJECT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND AKLAN PROVINCE IS ABOUT TO BE FINISHED.
TO OUR CONSTITUENTS FROM BANGA-MADALAG-LIBACAO, YOU ARE LIVING WITNESSES TO OUR REALIZATION OF THE 10 KILOMETER BANGA-LIBACAO FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD WITH 5 BRIDGES. THE PROJECT AMOUNTING TO 149 MILLION PESOS WITH 14.9 MILLION COUNTERPART FROM THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IS ALREADY 65%ACCOMPLISHED AND EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER;
WE HAVE ALSO FINISHED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BRIDGE APPROACH TO COMPLEMENT THE PHASE 2 OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS FOR THE MADALAG BRIDGE. WE HAVE EXPENDED AROUND 20 MILLION PESOS TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR CONSTITUENCY IN MADALAG.
KUNG KAMO NAKAPAMASYAR SA BANWA IT MADALAG KU NAGTALIWAN NGA MGA DOMINGGO, MAAGYAN NINYO RUNG MAAYAD-AYAD NATON NGA KARSADA. MADALI EON AG MATAWHAY RUNG PAGBYAHE BISAN PA MATAAS RUNG TUBI SA ATONG AKEAN.
OUR CONSTITUENTS FROM BATAN CAN ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO THE:
• 3.493 KILOMETERS LALAB-BAY-ANG-MAGPAG-ONG BATAN FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD AMOUNTING TO 34 MILLION PESOS AND NOW WAITING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NO OBJECTION LETTER;
• THE 7 KILOMETERS CABANGILA-ANGAS-PALAY-CAMANCI-NAPTI FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD AMOUNTING TO 95.4 MILLION PESOS AND IS PROPOSED FOR 2018;
• AND THE MAGPAG-ONG FISH PORT WHICH IS PROPOSED FOR 2018 FOR FUNDING.
IT HAS BEEN A BUSY YEAR FOR OUR BUILDERS, THE PROVINCIAL ENGINEER’S OFFICE. ASIDE FROM OUR PRDP-IBUILD PROJECT, WE HAVE ALSO EMBARKED ON VARIOUS MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES COMPLEMENTING THE VARIOUS PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS.
OUR BANNER PROJECTS INCLUDE THE:
• 125.7 MILLION PESOS DILG-KALSADA PROGRAM PROJECT: REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF COLONG-COLONG-TUL-ANG-RIZAL-NALIGUSAN-NAILE-SAN JOSE-MONLAQUE PROVINCIAL ROAD. IT HAS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT OF AROUND 50%. THE PROJECT WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT THE CONSTITUENCY FROM THE 7 BARANGAYS OF IBAJAY.
• THE 131.7 MILLION DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FUNDED CONSTRUCTION, EXPANSION, REPAIR, RENOVATION, AND UPGRADING OF INFRASTRUCTURES OF THE DR. RAFAEL S. TUMBUKON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IS 60% COMPLETED AND EXPECTED TO BE FULLY COMPLETED BY END OF THE YEAR.
• OUR 2016 COMPLETED PROJECTS FOR ROADS & BRIDGES FUNDED BY THE 20% IRA DEVELOPMENT FUND AMOUNT TO 55.1 MILLION PESOS.
• FOR OUR PROJECTS USING THE 5% LOCAL DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT & REDUCTION FUND, WE HAVE COMPLETED A TOTAL AMOUNT OF 14.2 MILLION PESOS.
• OUR PROJECTS FUNDED UNDER CAPITAL OUTLAY 2016 AMOUNT TO 17.9 MILLION AND THE ROAD MAINTENANCE PROJECTS COMPLETED LAST 2016 UNDER THE GENERAL FUND AMOUNT TO 3.9 MILLION PESOS.
WE HAVE ALSO MAINTAINED SUCCESS IN OUR BEST PRACTICE, THE AKLAN COMMUNITY-BASED MAINTENANCE CONTRACTINGORACBMC PROJECT. THIS PILOT PROJECT OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT PROMOTES COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT PROCESSES SPECIFIC TO THE LABOR COMPONENT OF OUR PROVINCIAL ROAD MAINTENANCE PROJECTS.
AS OF DATE, I AM ELATED TO REPORT THAT FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS WE HAVE A INCREASED OUR EMPLOYMENT OF LOCAL WORKERS, THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED, INCOME OF LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS AND WORKERS, AND THE LENGTH OF PROVINCIAL ROADS COVERED.
WE ARE ALSO PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THIS JULY, AFTER A THOROUGH PROCESS OF SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS, WE WILL NOW COMMENCE WITH THE DILG-CONDITIONAL MATCHING GRANT TO PROVINCES OR CMGP PROJECT, THE MALINAO-MADALAG ROAD IN THE AMOUNT OF 147 MILLION PESOS.
WE HAVE BEEN MAINTAINING THIS ROAD FOR SO MANY YEARS WITH THE MEAGER RESOURCES OF THE PROVINCE THEN. NOW, OUR CONSTITUENTS FROM MALINAO AND MADALAG CAN LOOK FORWARD TO A CONCRETE ROAD PROVIDING EASE TO THEIR DAILY COMMUTE OR TRANSPORT OF PRODUCTS.
YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT OUR MAJOR PROJECTS ARE ASSISTANCE AVAILED BY THE PROVINCE FROM OUR NATIONAL DEPARTMENTS. THEY PROVIDE THE BULK AND WE PROVIDE THE COUNTERPART. BUT THERE IS ALWAYS THAT CONDITION THAT OUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT MEET A SET OF REQUIREMENTS, AND THESE ALMOST ALWAYS GO BACK TO HOW WE PERFORM OUR GOVERNANCE.
BILANG GOBERNADOR, AKON MAN NASALIGAN DU MGA HEPE IT MGA OPISINA SA KAPITOLYO AG SA MGA NASYONAL NGA AHENSYA IT GOBYERNO SA MAAYAD-AYAD MAN NGA PAGPADAEAGAN IT ANDANG MGA DEPARTAMENTO.
OUR PERENNIAL SECRETARIAT, THE PROVINCIAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IS ALWAYS ON THEIR TOES WITH THE MONITORING AND DOCUMENTATION OF ALL OUR PROJECTS AND GRANTS. WE HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED OUR GOOD RELATIONS WITH OUR PARTNERS DUE TO YOUR CLOSE COORDINATION.
WE WOULD HAVE BEEN OFF-SCHEDULE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR PROGRAMS IF NOT FOR THE TIMELY ACTION BY OUR PROVINCIAL GENERAL SERVICES OFFICE IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. THE PGSO AND THE PROVINCIAL BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE WAS ABLE TO PROCURE AND INSPECT 150 MILLION PESOS WORTH OF OUR MUCH NEEDED EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES LAST 2016.
THE PROVINCE REMAINS TRUSTWORTHY FOR BEING CONSISTENT IN THE EFFICIENT PRESENTATION AND REPORTING OF OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BY THE PROVINCIAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE. WITH REGULAR MONITORING OF NATIONAL AGENCY PROGRAMS, TIMELY REMITTANCE AND SUBMISSION OF REPORTS AS WELL AS THE FISCAL INNOVATIONS INTRODUCED ARE ESSENTIAL IN OUR CONTINUING QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE IN HANDLING OUR FINANCES.
THRU THE AKLAN PROVINCIAL INTERNAL AUDIT OFFICEWE CONTINUE TO REVIEW, ASSESS AND EVALUATE OUR INTERNAL CONTROLS IF THEY ARE IN PLACE AND IS SERVING ITS PURPOSE. THIS WAY WE ENSURE THAT SERVICES, PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS ARE DELIVERED EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.
I AM PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE PROSPECT OF OUR COMPUTERIZED TAX SYSTEM THRU THE ETRACS LEADING TO EFFICIENT SERVICE AND AGGRESSIVE COLLECTION. THE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIVISION WILL SEE TO IT THAT THIS TOOL WILL BE MAXIMIZED AS A WELCOME UPGRADE IN OUR GOVERNANCE AND THAT OF OUR MUNICIPALITIES.
IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO INVEST IN THE OTHER ASPECTS OF LIFE OF OUR PEOPLE.
WE WANT OUR PEOPLE TO FEEL SAFE THAT IS WHY WE DO NOT FAIL IN PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE FINANCIAL LOGISTICAL OPERATION OF THE AKLAN POLICE PROVINCIAL OFFICE. WE HAVE EXTENDED 2.3 MILLION PESOS FOR THE ERADICATION OF ILLEGAL DRUGS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATION AND ACTIVITIES. THIS SUPPORTS THE COVENANT ENTERED BY THE PROVINCE WITH STAKEHOLDERS, PNP AND AFP TO EXPEDITE THE EFFORT AND RELENTLESS FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM AND ILLEGAL DRUGS.
OUR PROVINCIAL SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE MANAGED TO COVER 2,496 OF OUR INDIGENTS AMOUNTING TO 60.3 MILLION PESOS WORTH OF EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, TRANSPORTATION, SHELTER AND BURIAL ASSISTANCE. WE CATERED MOSTLY OUR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY AND OUR SENIOR CITIZENS. OUR EFFORTS COMPLEMENTED THE ASSISTANCE DOWNLOADED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT REGIONAL OFFICE.
WE MANAGED TO REACH OUT AND EDUCATE 4,248 COUPLES ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD WHICH IS 212% HIGHER COMPARED WITH THE 2,000 TARGET FOR 2016.
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN A PARTNER OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IN PROVIDING A HOLISTIC APPROACH IN THE GROWTH OF OUR PUPILS THROUGH THE SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF 23 MILLION IN 2016. WE USED THIS FUND FOR THE PAYMENT OF SCHOOL BOARD TEACHERS, REPAIR OF FACILITIES AS WELL AS OUR IN-SCHOOL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2017, WE HAVE EXPENDED ALREADY 34 MILLION FOR THIS PURPOSE.
WE CONTINUE TO BOOST UP OUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AS WELL. FOR THE 2ND SEMESTER OF ACADEMIC YEAR 2016 TO 2017, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SCHOLARS AND GRANTEES IS 1,311. OF THIS NUMBER, 293 STUDENTS GRADUATED BY THE END OF THE SEMESTER. THIS ACADEMIC YEAR 2017 – 2018, FOR THE 1ST SEMESTER, THERE IS A TOTAL OF 1, 460 STUDENTS UNDER THE PROGRAM. 31 OF WHICH ARE FULL SCHOLARS AND 1, 429 ARE EDUCATIONAL GRANTEES.I SHARE THE PRIDE OF THE PARENTS OF OUR 2 MAGNA CUM LAUDE AND 20 CUM LAUDE GRADUATES.
KAIBAHAN MAN NATON RUNG TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SA PAGPABASKOG IT KAPASIDAD PARA SA MGA TINUTUYO NGA TRABAHO.
OUR EFFORTS IN EDUCATION IS PREPARATION FOR FUTURE OCCUPATIONS.
FROM 2016 TO JUNE 2017, THE PROVINCIAL PESO CONDUCTED SEVEN JOB FAIRS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR DOLE WHERE 2,925 APPLICANTS REGISTERED BOTH FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT. 116 EMPLOYERS (92 LOCAL AND 24 OVERSEAS) PARTICIPATED WHICH EVENTUALLY RESULTED TO THE EMPLOYMENT OR DEPLOYMENT OF 194 AKLANONS.
ALLOW ME TO SHARE THE AWARDS THAT WE HAVE REAPED FOR THE PAST YEAR. I DON’T INTEND TO BOAST, I AM JUST STATING OUR PRESENT REALITY THAT OUR OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES STRIVE FOR PRIDE AND HONOR IN PUBLIC SERVICE WORK.
LAST MARCH 3, 2016, THE SPANISH AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION (AECID) AND PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON WOMEN AWARDED TO THE PROVINCE A PLAQUE OF RECOGNITION FOR THE INVALUABLE SUPPORT AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT PROJECT PARTNER OF THE PCW-AECID PROJECT: INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT WITH GENDER FOCUS: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MAGNA CARTA OF WOMEN.
SPECIAL COMMENDATION WAS ALSO CONFERRED TO THE PROVINCE IN APPRECIATION OF ITS EFFORT AND INITIATIVES IN STRENGTHENING CONVERGENCE OF SUPPORT AND SERVICES ON THE MANAGEMENT OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN CASES IN AKLAN, THEREBY ADVANCING GENDER EQUALITY AND FULFILMENT OF WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS.
THE YEAR ROUND STRENGTHENING OF OUR EXISTING DRRM PROGRAMS BY THE PROVINCIAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION OFFICE EARNED FOR THE PROVINCE THE 3RD BEST PROVINCIAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT COUNCIL IN THE 2016 GAWAD KALASAG AWARDS LAST DECEMBER 2016.
I WAS MADE AWARE THAT FOR THIS YEAR’S AWARDS, WE WON AS THE 2ND BEST PROVINCIAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT COUNCIL IN THE WHOLE REGION.
OUR PRESENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS WILL NEVER BE BLEAK WITH THE EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE OF OUR TREASURY OFFICES. AND SUCH DID NOT GO UNNOTICED BY THE BUREAU OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE AS THEY CONFERRED TO OUR PROVINCIAL TREASURER’S OFFICE:
• A PLAQUE OF RECOGNITION FOR 2ND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE COLLECTION OF REAL PROPERTY TAX HAVING OBTAINED A PERFORMANCE RATING OF 91.48%
• PLAQUE OF RECOGNITION FOR 2ND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE COLLECTION OF ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE WITH PERFORMANCE RATING OF 139.54% AND
• CERTIFICATE OF CITATION FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE COLLECTION FEES AND CHARGES HAVING OBTAINED A PERFORMANCE RATING OF 91.46%.
THE BUREAU OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE AWARDED TO OUR PROVINCIAL ASSESSOR’S OFFICE THE:
• 2ND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE VALUATION OF REAL PROPERTIES IN THE PROVINCE OF AKLAN WHICH FACILITATED THE COLLECTION OF REAL PROPERTY TAX FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2015, HAVING OBTAINED THE 2ND HIGHEST PERFORMANCE RATING OF 91.48% UNDER THE CATEGORY OF PROVINCES OF REGION VI AND
• CERTIFICATE OF CITATION FOR ENHANCING REAL PROPERTY VALUATION AND LOCAL REVENUE GENERATION THROUGH BEST PRACTICE.
SA GIHAPON, PARA SA DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, 2016 SEAL OF GOOD LOCAL GOVERNANCE AWARDEE GIHAPON RONG AKLAN NGA KUNG SIIN MAKABUOE KITA SA PERFORMANCE CHALLENGE FUND IT 4 MILLION PESOS PARA SA PAG-IMPROBAR IT ATONG KARSADAHON.
AWARDEE MAN KITA SA 2016 SEACH FOR EXCELLENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE (EXCELL AWARDS) IT DILG. 2ND RUNNER-UP SA ADMINISTRATIVE GOVERNANCE, 2ND RUNNER-UP SA SOCIAL GOVERNANCE, 1ST RUNNER-UP SA ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE AND 2ND RUNNER-UP BEST PERFORMING LGU SA BILOG NGA REGION 6.
THESE AWARDS MIRROR THE REALITY THAT OUR PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS CONTINUE TO DO ORDINARY THINGS EXTRAORDINARILY WELL.
WHILE WE TREASURE ALL THE AWARDS AND THE PRAISES THAT WE RECEIVED, LET US NOT DO WORK FOR RECOGNITION BUT INSTEAD, TAKE ON OUR WORK OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND MAKE IT WORTHY OF RECOGNITION.
LET US FIND JOY IN OURSELVES THROUGH THE IMPACT THAT WE MAKE ON THE CLIENTS THAT WE SERVE.
IT IS INNATE IN A PERSON’S HUMANITY TO BE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS. IT IS A JOURNEY OF CONTINUOUSLY FINDING THAT FEELING OF SELF WORTH.
THIS IS WHAT FUELS ME TO LEAVE IBAJAY EARLY TO REPORT FOR WORK IN THE CAPITOL AND THANKFULLY AN ACCEPTABLE REASON FOR MY FAMILY WHENEVER I AM COMING HOME LATE.
ABO GID NGA SAEAMAT.
GOD BLESS THE PROVINCE AND THE PEOPLE OF AKLAN!
FOR GOOD REASON, I AM GIVING THIS ADDRESS HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR AND NOT ON THE USUAL YEAR-OPENING SCHEDULE.
SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE AND SO WE ATTENDED TO OUR PRIMARY DUTIES FIRST.
BUT TODAY, FOR EVERYBODY’S APPRECIATION, I WILL REPORT ON LAST YEAR’S PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNEY.
SENATOR CYNTHIA VILLAR,
VICE GOVERNOR REYNALDO “BOY” M. QUIMPO,
MEMBERS OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN,
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, FELLOW SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
FOR A PUBLIC SERVANT, IT’S AN UNWRITTEN RULE TO ASPIRE FOR SOMETHING BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SERVE.
ONE THING I LEARNED FROM ALL MY 35 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE IS THAT THERE IS ALWAYS THAT GOOD REASON TO DREAM.
WHEN I ASSUMED THE GOVERNORSHIP IN 1995, I DID NOT LINGER ON THE IDEA THAT WHAT OUR PROVINCE IS CAPABLE OF, OR DESERVES, IS JUST SOMETHING PROPORTIONATE TO OUR SMALL GEOGRAPHICAL SIZE.
I FIRMLY BELIEVED THEN AND CONTINUED TO BELIEVE STILL, THAT OUR AKLAN CAN ACHIEVE BIG THINGS FOR ITS PEOPLE.
TRUE ENOUGH, WITH OUR HARD WORK THROUGH THE YEARS, OUR DREAMS THEN ARE TANGIBLE NOW, AND OUR SMALL PROVINCE IS NOW AMONGST THOSE THAT MODEL THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMIC PROGRESS.
HARA NGA ESTADO MADASIG NATONG NAABOT DAHIL SA MAABTIK NGA SUPORTA IT SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN.
A GOVERNOR CAN ONLY HOPE FOR FATE TO INTERVENE TO BE PARTNERED WITH A SANGGUNIAN THAT IS SUPPORTIVE, COOPERATIVE, AND PROACTIVE.
AKLANONS WILL NEVER FEEL SHORTCHANGED WITH THE 2016 LEGISLATIVE PERFORMANCE OF 309 RESOLUTIONS, 9 GENERAL ORDINANCES, 8 SPECIAL ORDINANCES, AND 12 APPROPRIATION ORDINANCES. INDEED, A WORKING SANGGUNIAN.
THROUGH THE DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP OF VICE GOVERNOR BILLIE CALIZO-QUIMPO THEN AND NOW WITH VICE GOVERNOR BOY QUIMPO, THE SP IS NOW ISO CERTIFIED. OUR LEGISLATIVE OFFICE’S COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY- ACCEPTED STANDARDS MEANS A HIGH LEVEL OF COMMITMENT LEADING TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF TRUST AND CREDIBILITY FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS.
ALL THESE CANNOT ESCAPE OUR ATTENTION AND IT IS BUT FITTING, THAT OUR SANGGUNIAN BE HOUSED IN THIS NEW EDIFICE WHOSE GRANDEUR IS REFLECTIVE OF AKLAN’S ASPIRATION AND OF WHAT IT HAS BECOME.
KUNG TAN-AWON NATON DU BAG-O AG MAYAD-AYAD NGA BUILDING IT ATONG SANGUNIAN, KITA TANAN MAKAPAINO-INO NGA MAEAYO EON DU HAABOT IT ATONG PROBINSIYA PAG-ABOT SA PROGRESO.
TAKING INSPIRATION, WE WILL ALSO IMPROVE AND BEAUTIFY THE REST OF THE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL COMPLEX. WE CAN ALL EXPECT THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, THE GODOFREDO RAMOS PARK WILL BE A TOURIST ATTRACTION IN ITSELF, AN IDEAL PLACE FOR FAMILY RECREATION AND RELAXATION, A CONVENIENT VENUE FOR EVENTS, AND A CENTER FOR SPECIAL TRADE ACTIVITIES.
BEFORE SHARING FURTHER WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT, LET ME ELUCIDATE FIRST ON THE STATUS OF OUR COFFERS.
WE ARE IN A VERY GOOD PLACE RIGHT NOW AS FAR AS OUR LOCALLY SOURCED TAX REVENUE IS CONCERNED.
I WILL BREAK IT TO YOU IN THREE STATEMENTS:
FIRSTLY, THE PROVINCIAL TREASURER'S OFFICE MANAGED TO COLLECT 100.3 MILLION PESOS IN TAXES FROM JANUARY-DECEMBER 2016, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE FROM OUR 2015 COLLECTION OF 95.9 MILLION PESOS.
SECONDLY, BASED ON OUR 2017 FIRST SEMESTER PERFORMANCE, OUR REAL PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS INCREASED BY 10.2 MILLION PESOS AS COMPARED TO THAT OF 2016. THIS MEANS A COLLECTION EFFICIENCY OF 51%.
LASTLY, THE RPT COLLECTIONS FOR THE WHOLE CALENDAR YEAR OF 2016 IN THE AMOUNT OF 28.9 MILLION PESOS HAS ALREADY BEEN SURPASSED WITH JUST THE PRESENT YEAR’S JANUARY TO JUNE PERFORMANCE OF 30.4 MILLION PESOS.
THESE FIGURES WOULD NOT HAVE MATERIALIZED IF NOT FOR EFFICIENT CONDUCT OF APPRAISAL ACTIVITIES, TIMELY PROCESSING OF REAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT TRANSACTIONS AND AGGRESSIVE COLLECTION.
A MAJOR PART OF OUR COLLECTION WAS ALSO THE PRODUCT OF A GOOD NUMBER OF REMINDER AND DEMAND LETTERS TO OUR TAXABLE INDIVIDUALS AND ENTITIES.
SOME MAY HAVE BEEN STRESSED ABOUT IT AND PAID IN PROTEST, BUT LET ME APPEAL TO ALL, THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IS JUST DOING ITS JOB AND THAT TAXPAYERS ARE OUR INDISPENSABLE PARTNERS FOR PROGRESS.
MERE MENTION OF TAXES, IN WHATEVER FORM OR NAME, ALREADY SOUNDS BURDENSOME FOR MOST OF YOU.
A TAX, NO MATTER HOW NEGATIVE SOMETIMES IT IS PERCEIVED, IS THAT ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN NATION BUILDING.
BUT WE DON’T PASS ALL THE BURDEN OF FUNDING PROGRESS TO OUR TAX PAYERS.
THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IS IN CONSTANT PURSUIT OF THAT STATUS OF LESS-DEPENDENCY ON THE INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT, OR IRA.
WE HAVE ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE TO INNOVATE IN CREATING ENTERPRISES TO GAIN ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO SUPPORT OUR MANDATED SERVICES.
OUR TAX COLLECTION ONLY REPRESENTS HALF OF THE EQUATION, SO LET US TURN OUR EYES ON THE OTHER HALF.
OUR ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORTED A REVENUE GENERATION OF 534.8 MILLION PESOS FOR THE WHOLE OF 2016. I AM GLAD TO REPORT THAT COMPARING THE JANUARY TO JUNE REVENUE OF THIS YEAR AND THAT OF 2016, WE ALREADY SURPASSED IT BY 2.5 MILLION.
WITH NOTHING VENTURED, THERE WILL BE NOTHING GAINED.
IF WE DO NOT TAKE CALCULATED RISKS, WE WON’T IMPROVE OUR SITUATION.
HAD WE NOT LEASED OUT AN IDLE PROPERTY OF THE PROVINCE LAST AUGUST 2014 TO ATTY. DANILO PADILLA, A JOLLIBEE FRANCHISEE, WE WOULD NOT HAVE GAINED 3 MILLION PESOS IN RENTAL INCOME.
HAD WE NOT INVESTED IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE GOV. CORAZON L. CABAGNOT TOURISM AND TRAINING CENTER, THE PROVINCIAL PROPERTY WOULD HAVE REMAINED DILAPIDATED. NOW, AKLANONS CAN AVAIL OF A VERY PRESENTABLE AND REASONABLY PRICED VENUE WITH HOMEY ACCOMMODATIONS FOR SEMINARS, TRAININGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS. COMPARING THE 2015 AND 2016 INCOME OF HALL RENTALS AND ACCOMMODATIONS, THE CENTER WAS ABLE TO GROW THE 1.5 MILLION PESOS INCOME IN 2015 TO 2.7 MILLION PESOS IN 2016.
HAD WE BEEN SOFT IN OUR RESOLVE TO TAKE ON THAT WIND OF CHANGE BY CONSTRUCTING AND CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVING THE CATICLAN AND CAGBAN JETTY PORT AND PASSENGER TERMINAL, AKLAN WOULD NOT HAVE A CASH COW THAT PRODUCED 329.2 MILLION PESOS FOR 2015 AND 382.5 MILLION PESOS FOR 2016.
HAD WE LACKED UNDERSTANDING AND FORESIGHT, WE WOULD NOT HAVE IN THE WORKS THE TRANSFORMATION OF AN INACTIVE PIECE OF PROPERTY INTO THE PASEO DE AKLAN COMMERCIAL CENTER. FAMOUS INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO LOCATE IN THE AREA.
THIS WILL ADD VIBRANCE TO THE ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE OF KALIBO. APART FROM MAKING THE AREA INTO A COMMERCIAL STRIP WITH VERY PROMISING REVENUE GENERATION POTENTIAL, IT WILL ALSO OPEN UP EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN SYNC WITH THE JOB GENERATION INITIATIVES OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF AKLAN.
WE SHOULD ALL BE THRILLED WITH THESE FIGURES AND THE PROMISE THAT IT BRINGS.
SO WHY DO WE INNOVATE? WHY IS IT THAT THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT SLACKEN IN THIS ASPECT? AND WHY ACT ON ALL THESE WITH VIGOR AND COMMITMENT?
SIMPLY BECAUSE FORESIGHT IS BETTER THAN HINDSIGHT.
IT IS BETTER TO ANTICIPATE AND PREVENT THE FUTURE PROBLEMS OUR PROVICE WILL ENCOUNTER THAN TO REALIZE HOW THEY COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED AFTER THE FACT.
WITH GROWTH AND PROGRESS, COMES BIGGER RESPONSIBILITIES.
OUR TOURISM REPORT INDICATES 1.7 MILLION TOURIST ARRIVALS LAST 2016 AND 1.1 MILLION ARRIVALS ALREADY FOR JUST THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2017. WE WOULD HAVE TO FURTHER IMPROVE OUR SUPPORT FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE LIKE, TO COPE WITH THE STEADY INCREASE IN ARRIVALS.
WITH 75 TO 80 INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS PER WEEK AND 155 TO 160 DOMESTIC FLIGHTS PER WEEK, OUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLEMENT THE UPGRADING EFFORTS OF THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED THAT KALIBO WILL NOT BE AT THE LOSING END WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF CATICLAN AIRPORT. STATISTICS WOULD SHOW THAT THE NUMBER OF PASSENGER ARRIVAL IN 2016 AT KALIBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS 1,343,683 COMPARED TO CATICLAN AIRPORT WITH ONLY 368,143.
SA HARA MAN NGA BAGAY, KINAHANGEAN NATON PABASKUGON RU IBA PA GID NATON NGA MGA DESTINASYON EOWAS SA ISLA IT BORACAY.
WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN KALIBO AND ITS TOURISM POTENTIAL.
THE PROVINCE RECEIVED AN UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL FOR JOINT VENTURE ARRANGEMENT WITH MABUHAY MARITIME EXPRESS TRANSPORT, INC. FOR THE KALIBO RECLAMATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. THE COMPANY, WHICH IS MAJORITY OWNED BY PHILIPPINE AIRLINES, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JAN DE NUL GROUP OF BELGIUM HAS SIGNIFIED ITS INTENT TO UNDERTAKE A RECLAMATION PROJECT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING A FERRY TERMINAL WITH MIXED-USE COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS ALONG THE COASTAL AREA OF KALIBO, PARTICULARLY IN THE COASTAL AREA OF BRGY. POOK, KALIBO, AKLAN. THE RECLAMATION WILL PROVIDE WATERWAYS AND RIVER CHANNELS, WHICH WILL DIRECT THE INFLOW AND OUTFLOW OF WATER IN THE RIVER SYSTEM THAT DRAINS THE FLOODWATER OF KALIBO.
THE RECLAMATION AREA WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A TOURIST TAKE-OFF POINT FROM KALIBO AIRPORT TO THE ISLAND OF BORACAY.
THE MASTER PLAN IS A PICTURE OF A MODERN COMMUNITY, A BUSINESS HUB AND RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX ALONG THE KALIBO COASTLINE. THIS WILL RESHAPE KALIBO FROM BEING A MERE GATEWAY BUT A DESIRABLE TOURIST DESTINATION ITSELF.
SA PAREHAS NGA ISTORYA IT PARTNERSHIP, SA OPISYAL NGA PAG-AGTO NAKON SA FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, SA AMERICA PARA MAGING ISAEA SA DELEGASYON IT PILIPINAS SA SEATRADE CRUISE CONFERENCE KARANG BUEAN IT MARSO KAIBAHAN SI TOURISM UNDERSECRETARY BENITO BENGZON, JR., AG RO VICE PRESIDENT IT ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LTD. FOR NEW COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT NGA SI JOHN TERCEK, NAGKASUGOT NGA MAGHIMO IT PORT IYA SA AKLAN DAHIL GAPATI SI VICE PRESIDENT TERCEK NGA RO ATONG LUGAR HAY MABAHOE RO POTENSYAL NGA MANGING CRUISE HUB.
GINKASUGTANAN IT DOT, PROBINSYA IT AKEAN AG ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LTD. CRUISE COMPANY NGA PAGATAW-AN IT KINAHANGEANON NGA TECHNICAL AG PINANSYAL NGA SUPPORTA PARA SA PAGHIMO IT TERMINAL NGA MAGING HOMEPORT SA CATICLAN O SA BORACAY.
WE RECIEVED 16 CRUISE SHIP ARRIVALS LAST 2016 AND EXPECTING 27 ARRIVALS FOR 2017.
WITH THE ENTRANCE OF BIG INVESTORS, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THIS MOMENTUM AND CAPITALIZE ON THE POTENTIAL OF OUR PROVINCE. FOR THIS PURPOSE, WE CREATED THE AKLAN INVESTMENT AND PROMOTION CENTER THROUGH THE LOCAL ECONOMIC AND INVESTMENT PROMOTIONS OFFICER WITH MS. GABRIELLE CALIZO-QUIMPO AS CONSULTANT ON TRADE AND TOURISM. THE PRIMARY TASK OF THE AIPC IS TO SERVE AS THE FULL SERVICE OFFICE WHO WILL CATER TO THE INQUIRIES, FACILITATION, HANDLING OF PROSPECT INVESTORS, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ICT SUCH AS TECH4ED.
GINADAYAW KO MAN DU PAGPABASKOG IT MGA NEGOSYO KU ATONG DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY. MAY ATON EON NGA SIYAM KA NEGOSYO CENTERS SA AKLAN NGA KUNG SIIN HAUM MAN MAG-ALALAY SA ATON NGA MGA MAISOT NGA NEGOSYANTE.
SA UMAN, HARA NGA MGA DAEAGKO NGA INVESTMENTS SA AKLAN AG MGA SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES HAY MAGABUKAS IT MAABO NGA OPPORTUNIDAD IT TRABAHO PARA SA ATONG MGA PUMUEOYO.
WITH A POPULATION OF AROUND 600 THOUSAND AND GROWING, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTINUOUSLY STRENGTHEN OUR HEALTHCARE SERVICE.
SO IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE ONLY WAY WE CAN FACE THESE POSSIBILITIES HEAD ON, IS IF OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT REMAIN FINANCIALLY SOUND TO FUND OUR SERVICES AND FURTHER IMPROVE OUR FACILITIES.
LET ME FURTHER SHARE IN DETAIL A CONCRETE EXAMPLE OF THE EFFECT OF ENGAGING IN ENTERPRISE TO OUR GOVERNANCE.
FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS, THE OPERATIONS OF THE CATICLAN AND CAGBAN JETTY PORTS HAS PROVEN TO BE AN UNSWERVING SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR THE PROVINCE AS A TOTAL OF 861 MILLION PESOS WAS GENERATED FROM TOLL AND TERMINAL FEES, CARGO FEES AND OTHER PORT CHARGES.
THE COST OF OPERATING THE 2 PORTS FROM 2014-2016 AMOUNTED TO 171 MILLION PESOS. IT FOLLOWS THEN THAT ON THAT SAME PERIOD, THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT ATTAINED A NET INCOME OF 690 MILLION PESOS FROM PORT OPERATIONS.
WITH THIS AMOUNT AT OUR DISPOSAL, WE MANAGED TO BANKROLL THE OPERATIONS OF THE OTHER EEDD UNITS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ENGAGE IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, OUR HOSPITALS.
IF WE LOOK AT THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF OUR DR. RAFAEL S. TUMBUKON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, IBAJAY DISTRICT HOSPITAL AND ALTAVAS DISTRICT HOSPITAL FROM 2014-2016, IT WOULD INDICATE THAT THE THREE EEDD HOSPITALS INCURRED OPERATIONAL EXPENSES OF 1.1 BILLION PESOS WHILE EARNING REVENUES OF 592 MILLION PESOS.
WITH EASE, WE MANAGED TO COPE WITH THE BALANCE OF 486 MILLION PESOS TO SUSTAIN HOSPITAL OPERATIONS FROM THE NET INCOME OF THE CATICLAN AND CAGBAN JETTY PORTS.
WE NEED TO HAVE THAT FINANCIAL LEVERAGE FOR OUR HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND WE NEED TO REINFORCE IT FURTHER.
IN MY SECOND TERM BEING YOUR GOVERNOR, I HEARD YOUR CALL TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH SYSTEM OF OUR PROVINCE. PROOF OF OUR EARNEST DESIRE TO PRODUCE A VERY SIGNIFICANT OUTCOME IN THIS NEED IS OUR TAKING PART IN THE PROVINCIAL LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE PROGRAM OR PLGP.
THIS IS AN 18 MONTH PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REGIONAL OFFICE AND THE ZUELLIG FAMILY FOUNDATION THAT AIMS TO DEVELOP THE BRIDGING LEADERSHIP OF OUR KEY PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS TO BE ABLE TO IMPROVE OUR HEALTH SYSTEM WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO CLOSING THE HEALTH EQUITY GAP.
PARA MA-EXPERIENSYAHAN NAKON RU MINATUOD-TUOD NGA SITWASYON IT ATONG MGA KASIMANWA EABI GID RU MGA KUBOS.NAGBISITA AKO SA ISAEANG KA MAEAYO NGA BARANGAY SA BURUANGA.HAISTURYA NAKON RU PAMILYA IT SANG KA NANAY NGA NAMATAY SA ANANG PAGUNGA. ACCORDING TO HER HUSBAND, SHE DELIVERED THEIR 7TH CHILD AT HOME WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LOCAL HILOT BECAUSE SHE WAS AFRAID AND“NAHUYA” TO BE REPRIMANDED BY THE HEALTH WORKERS FOR GETTING PREGNANT AGAIN, NGANI UWA IMAW NAG-ADTO SA HEALTH CENTER. IT TOOK THEM 5 HOURS TO REACH THE HOSPITAL. HOWEVER ON TRANSIT, THE MOTHER ALREADY BLED TO DEATH. THIS IS A CLEAR PICTURE THAT OUR SERVICE DELIVERY NETWORK IS NOT WORKING FOR US, MOST ESPECIALLY FOR OUR POOR KASIMANWAS.
DURING THIS VISIT, I ALSO HAD A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE A DIALOGUE WITH OUR SENIOR CITIZENS, BHWS AND SOME PREGNANT MOTHERS. WHEN I ASKED THEM REGARDING THEIR EXPERIENCES IN SEEKING HEALTH SERVICES, THEIR COMMON ANSWER WAS“GOV, KUNG HIKITA ABI NGA EOTAYUN AMONG SIKI HAY WA MAN KAMI NASAPAKA.”
THIS IS A PAINFUL TRUTH FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS. EAIN RO PAGTRATO SA ATONG MGA POBRE NGA KASIMANWA KUMPARA SA ATONG MGA MAY KAPASIDAD SA PAGPANGABUHI. THAT’S WHY I REALIZED THAT OUR HEALTH SYSTEM SHOULD BE EQUITABLE AND RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE ESPECIALLY THE POOR.
WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 149,670 INDIGENTS TO DATE ACCORDING TO PHILHEALTH. THESE PEOPLE SHOULD RECEIVE PRIORITY ESPECIALLY IN THE ACCESS OF OUR HEALTH SERVICES FROM THE BARANGAY LEVEL UP TO THE PROVINCIAL LEVEL.
ANOTHER REALIZATION FOR ME IS THAT AS A GOVERNOR I SHOULD LOOK AT OUR HEALTH SYSTEM IN A MORE HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE, ENCOMPASSING NOT ONLY THE CURATIVE SIDE BUT ALSO THE PREVENTIVE SIDE. CASE IN POINT OUR PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL. BEING A REFERRAL HOSPITAL, THEY SHOULD CATER TO MORE COMPLICATED CASES, HOWEVER OUR HEALTH STATISTICS SHOW THAT 86% OF THE DELIVERIES IN OUR PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL ARE NORMAL DELIVERIES. IN ORDER TO DECONGEST OUR HOSPITAL, WE NEED COLLABORATION WITH OUR MUNICIPALITIES. AS OF NOW, WE ONLY HAVE 9 MUNICIPALITIES THAT HAVE BIRTHING FACILITIES THAT ARE ACCREDITED BY PHILHEALTH. TO ADDRESS THIS PRESSING NEED TOGETHER WITH THE MAYORS, WE AIMED TO ACHIEVE A 100% FUNCTIONAL AND ACCREDITED BIRTHING FACILITIES IN EVERY TOWN BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
FURTHER, ON THE CURATIVE SIDE, WE ALSO NEED TO STRENGTHEN OUR HOSPITALS. WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, MANPOWER AND FACILITY TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE. THROUGH 2016 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET NO. 4, THE PROVINCIAL BUDGET OFFICE WAS ABLE TO SOURCE THE AMOUNT OF 15.1 MILLION PESOS WHICH WE INVESTED IN HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT, FURNITURE AND FIXTURES FOR OUR 5 PERIPHERAL HOSPITALS. IN 2017, WE ALSO INVESTED 19.4 MILLION PESOS.
ALSO, THEDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COMPLEMENTED OUR FUNDING REQUIREMENTS TO VARIOUS UPGRADING PROJECTS FOR OUR HOSPITALS AND OUR COMBINED EFFORTS TO DATE AMOUNT TO: 169 MILLION PESOS FOR DR. RAFAEL S. TUMBUKON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL;
• 94.9 MILLION PESOS FOR CIRIACO S. TIROL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL;
• 42.4 MILLION PESOS FOR IBAJAY DISTRICT HOSPITAL;
• 20 MILLION PESOS FOR ALTAVAS DISTRICT HOSPITAL;
• 14.4 MILLION PESOS FOR DON LEOVIGILDO DIAPO SR. MEMORIAL HOSPITAL;
• 6.3 MILLION PESOS FOR LIBACAO MUNICIPAL INFIRMARY
• 6.2 MILLION PESOS FOR MALAY MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
• 12.5 MILLION PESOS FOR BURUANGA MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL; AND
WE ALSO HAVE HIRED ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL IN ALL OUR HOSPITALS THROUGH OUR PROVINCIAL HUMAN RESOURCE AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE. THE ASTOUNDING INCREASE IN PERCENTAGE MOST ESPECIALLY TO OUR MUNICIPAL HOSPITALS SIGNIFIES OUR COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE OUR HEALTH SYSTEM.
WE ALSO HAVE INVESTED IN INSTITUTIONALIZING A FUNCTIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEM IN ALL OUR HOSPITALS SO THAT WE WILL HAVE TIMELY, RELEVANT AND RELIABLE HEALTH DATA. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIVISION AND HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS OF THE PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICE, WE HAVE STARTED THE IHOMIS IMPLEMENTATION IN OUR MUNICIPAL AND DISTRICT HOSPITALS.
ALL OF THESE PROVED TO BE NECESSARY INVESTMENTS BECAUSE NOW, ALL THE 8 PROVINCIAL OWNED HOSPITALS SUCCESSFULLY RENEWED THEIR LICENSE TO OPERATE FOR 2017. SIGNIFICANT TO MENTION IS THAT THE LIBACAO MUNICIPAL INFIRMARY WHICH HAS BEEN OFFERING OUTPATIENT SERVICES ONLY FOR 7 YEARS, IS NOW FINALLY LICENSED AS AN INFIRMARY. THE CIRIACO S. TIROL HOSPITAL ALSO GOT THEIR LICENSE TO OPERATE AS AN INFIRMARY AFTER TWO YEARS OF OFFERING OPD SERVICES ONLY DUE TO CONSTRUCTION OF HOSPITAL FACILITY.
THERE IS ALSO A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE UTILIZATION OF HEALTH SERVICES OF OUR HOSPITALS ESPECIALLY THE MUNICIPAL HOSPITALS AS SHOWN BY THE INCREASING NUMBER OF OPD CONSULTS AND ADMISSIONS.
ABO NGA SAEAMAT SA ATON NGA MGA CHIEF OF HOSPITALS AG MUNICIPAL HEALTH OFFICERS. PADAYUN NATONG SADYAON RUNG PAGDUMAEA IT ATONG MGA HOSPITAL AG RHUS NGA MAY PAGKABAEAKA SA BAEATYAGON IT ATONG MGA PASYENTE EABI GID DU MGA POBRE.
ABO MAN NGA SAEAMAT SA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SA KAABO NGA BULIG SA AKLAN PAAGI SA MGA SUPORTA SA MGA FACILIDAD AG SA MGA PROGRAMA NGA GINA-IMPLEMENTAR IT PROBINSIYA PAAGI SA PROVINCIAL HEALTH OFFICE.
AS THEY SAY, HEALTH REQUIRES HEALTHY FOOD. HEALTHY FOOD THEN REQUIRES A HEALTHY AGRICULTURE SECTOR.
WE HAVE APPROPRIATED 95 MILLION PESOS FOR AGRICULTURE LAST 2016.
WHEN FARMERS SUCCEED, WE SUCCEED. TRULY IT IS OUR FARMERS THAT FEED, CLOTHE AND FUEL OUR SOCIETY.
ANALYSIS BY OUR PROVINCIAL AGRICULTURE OFFICE WOULD SHOW THAT WHILE OUR RICE SUFFICIENCY INDEX FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS INDICATES AN INCREASING TREND, ITS SUFFICIENCY LEVEL IS STILL BELOW 100%. THIS MEANS THAT WE ARE PRODUCING LESS THAN WE NEED, THAT OUR PRODUCTION VOLUME DOES NOT KEEP UP WITH OUR POPULATION GROWTH.
SO WE NEED TO INNOVATE TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN OUR RICE PRODUCTIVITY.
WE IMPLEMENTED THE 10 MILLION PESO CERTIFIED SEEDS AND FERTILIZER SUBSIDY PROGRAM TO COMPLEMENT THE EXISTING HYBRID RICE COMMERCIALIZATION PROGRAM.
WE MADE CERTIFIED SEEDS THAT ARE HIGH IN GENETIC PURITY, HIGH IN GERMINATION AND VIGOUR, AND OF GOOD QUALITY AVAILABLE TO FARMERS AT SUBSIDIZED PRICE. IT ENSURES THE ATTAINMENT OF A MAXIMUM YIELD OF 6 TO 10 METRIC TONNES PER HECTARE OR 143 TO 238 CAVANS PER HECTARE.
THE SUBSIDY ALSO COVERS FERTILIZER, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT INPUTS IN RICE PRODUCTION, IN VIEW OF CONSIDERABLE FERTILIZER PRICE INCREASE ALONG WITH SIGNIFICANT FERTILITY LOSS IN MOST RICE LAND.
BY DESIGN, THE PROGRAM CATERS TO ORGANIZED GROUP OF RICE FARMERS ACROSS THE PROVINCE AND UTILIZES THE 50:50 SCHEME OF FINANCIAL SUBSIDY. AS OF DATE, THE AREA PLANTED IS AT 3,196 HECTARES AND BENEFITED 3,159 FARMERS OR 95 FARMERS’ ASSOCIATIONS ACROSS THE PROVINCE.
IN PLACE ALSO IS OUR FARM MECHANIZATION PROGRAM & SUPPORT TO SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS. IT PROVIDES AGRICULTURAL MACHINERIES AND FACILITIES TO FARMER ORGANIZATIONS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE PRODUCTION, MINIMIZE LABOR REQUIREMENT AND IMPROVE FARM EFFICIENCY OPERATIONS.
LAST 2015, THE PROVINCE ALLOCATED 1 MILLION AS COUNTERPART TO THE RICE MECHANIZATION PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BENEFITTING 7 FARMER ORGANIZATIONS EACH WITH ONE FARMING EQUIPMENT. THIS YEAR, THE PROVINCE ALLOCATED 10 MILLION PESOS TO DISTRIBUTE 25 HAND TRACTORS, 25 RICE THRESHERS, 10 TILLERS, 5 REAPERS AND KNAPSACK SPRAYERS TO ACTIVE AND DESERVING RICE FARMING ORGANIZATIONS IN AKLAN.
WE INTEND TO DELIVER THESE EQUIPMENT TO AT LEAST 100 ORGANIZATIONS BEFORE END OF THIS CROPPING SEASON.
TO COMPLEMENT THE EFFORTS OF THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION THE PROVINCE HAS ALSO ALLOCATED THIS YEAR P900,000.00 FOR SUPPORT TO SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS BY PROVIDING WATER PUMPS AND ENGINES AS WELL AS IMPROVEMENT OF SMALL IRRIGATION SYSTEMS.
WE INTEND TO CONTINUE AND SUPPORT THIS PROJECT AS WE PROPOSE TO INCREASE THIS ALLOCATION BY THREE TIMES FOR 2018.
OUR PHILIPPINE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT-INVESTMENT FOR RURAL ENTERPRISES FOR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERY PRODUCTIVITY OR PRDP-IREAP PROJECTS HAS BEEN FINALLY IMPLEMENTED AFTER THREE YEARS OF COMPLYING WITH VARIOUS DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS AS WELL AS THE STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS OF THE WORLD BANK.
THE 1ST TRANCHE RELEASE OF THE FINANCIAL GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE – PHILIPPINE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AMOUNTING TO P 2, 030,650.00 WORTH OF LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE WAS ALREADY RECEIVED BY THE BAY-ANG FISHERFOLKS ASSOCIATION OF BRGY. BAY-ANG, BATAN, AKLAN FOR THEIR “OYSTER AND MUSSEL PRODUCTION AND MARKETING” AND THE MAN-UP MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE OF SITIO DINAUT, MAN-UP, ALTAVAS FOR THEIR“REHABILITATION OF COCONUT MINI OIL MILL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SMALL-SCALE COCO-BASED CRUDE OIL AND COPRA CAKES”.
LET ME REITERATE MY CHALLENGE TO THE BENEFICIARIES TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROJECTS. LET US SHOW OUR BENEFACTORS THAT WE ARE DESERVING OF SUCH ASSISTANCE.
OUR ABACA PRODUCTION SHOWS PROMISE AS WELL. THE PHILIPPINE FIBER INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REPORTED THAT AKLAN RANKS NUMBER 9 IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY FOR ABACA PRODUCTION. OUR 2016 PRODUCTION IS AT 2,400 METRIC TONS AS COMPARED TO THE 1,450 METRIC TONS OF 2015.
THE PHILIPPINE COCONUT INDUSTRY REPORTED THAT WITH ITS PARTICIPATORY COCONUT PLANTING PROJECT, 187,000 COCONUT SEEDLINGS WERE PLANTED COVERING AN AREA OF 1,870 HECTARES. FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE PROJECT WAS PARTICIPATED BY 1,752 FARMERS.
AKLAN IS THANKFUL TO OUR DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM FOR THE CONTINUED EXTENSION OF SERVICES TO OUR AGRARIAN REFORM BENEFICIARIES ESPECIALLY IN MAKING THEIR LANDS MORE PRODUCTIVE. THE DAR FUNDED POST-HARVEST FACILITY IN NAZARETH, BURUANGA IS INDEED A WELCOME SUPPORT FACILITY.
THE NFA PERFORMANCE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED IN TERMSOF PROCUREMENT OF PALAY FROM 4679 BAGS IN 2015 TO 10581 BAGS IN 2016.FURTHERMORE, THEY WERE ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE 61.31% OF BAGS TO NFA ACCREDITED RETAILERS, LGUS, AND CHARITABLE/PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS
IN AS MUCH AS WE TOIL THE LAND, WE ALSO ENSURE THAT WE TAKE CARE OF IT. LAST 2015, THE AKLAN ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES OFFICE FACILITATED THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE SANGGUNIANG BARANGAY OF DALAGSAAN, LIBACAO AND THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT RELATIVE TO THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT GREENING PROGRAM INITIATIVE.
I AM HAPPY TO SHARE THAT OUR BENEFICIARIES IN THE UPLANDS OF LIBACAO HAS ALREADY STARTED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NURSERY. AN INITIAL POTTING PRODUCTION AND INITIAL SEEDLING PRODUCTION OF MORE THAN 5,000 INDIGENOUS AND FRUIT TREE SEEDLINGS WERE RAISED IN THE NURSERY STARTING FROM JUNE 2016 ONWARDS WITH THE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF OUR AKLANON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.
MY COMMENDATIONS TO OUR DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES-PENRO AKLAN FOR COVERING 100% OF THE TARGETED 1,414 HECTARES FOR OUR NATIONAL GREENING PROGRAM. YOU HAVE MANAGED TO SURPASS THE TARGET OF 2,356,000 THOUSAND SEEDLINGS BY PRODUCING 2,597,023 SEEDLINGS.
AS FOR OUR VETERINARY INITIATIVES, THE OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL VETERINARIAN REPORTED THAT THE BANNER PROGRAMS OF GENETIC IMPROVEMENT THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION COVERED 105 BARANGAYS IN 2016 TO 2017. A TOTAL OF 848 CATTLE AND CARABAO OFFSPRINGS OR CALF DROP WERE PRODUCED, 1,877 ANIMALS INSEMINATED WHILE 2, 166 CLIENTS AVAILED FREE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION SERVICES. THE PROVINCE MAINTAINED ITS STATUS AS A TOP PRODUCING PROVINCE IN WESTERN VISAYAS IN TERMS OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION PRODUCED BEEF CATTLE.
I HAVE INSTRUCTED OUR VETERINARIANS TO INTENSIFY OUR RABIES PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM. ANIMAL BITE IS THE THIRD HIGHEST CAUSE OF MORBIDITY IN THE PROVINCE.
TO SUCCEED IN AGRICULTURE, WE HAVE TO BUILD THE ROADS. INADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE WILL LIMIT THE CONNECTIVITY TO THE MARKETS. IF OUR RURAL AREAS HAVE ROAD NETWORKS CONNECTING THEM TO THE ECONOMIC CENTERS, IT RAISES AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY, WHICH IN TURN INDUCES GROWTH. THE RISE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY WILL RESULT IN REDUCED PRICE OF FOOD AND THUS, REDUCES POVERTY.
THIS IS THE PREMISE WHY WE EMBARKED ON OUR PRDP-IBUILD JOURNEY.
I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THIS FLAGSHIP PROJECT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND AKLAN PROVINCE IS ABOUT TO BE FINISHED.
TO OUR CONSTITUENTS FROM BANGA-MADALAG-LIBACAO, YOU ARE LIVING WITNESSES TO OUR REALIZATION OF THE 10 KILOMETER BANGA-LIBACAO FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD WITH 5 BRIDGES. THE PROJECT AMOUNTING TO 149 MILLION PESOS WITH 14.9 MILLION COUNTERPART FROM THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IS ALREADY 65%ACCOMPLISHED AND EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER;
WE HAVE ALSO FINISHED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BRIDGE APPROACH TO COMPLEMENT THE PHASE 2 OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS FOR THE MADALAG BRIDGE. WE HAVE EXPENDED AROUND 20 MILLION PESOS TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR CONSTITUENCY IN MADALAG.
KUNG KAMO NAKAPAMASYAR SA BANWA IT MADALAG KU NAGTALIWAN NGA MGA DOMINGGO, MAAGYAN NINYO RUNG MAAYAD-AYAD NATON NGA KARSADA. MADALI EON AG MATAWHAY RUNG PAGBYAHE BISAN PA MATAAS RUNG TUBI SA ATONG AKEAN.
OUR CONSTITUENTS FROM BATAN CAN ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO THE:
• 3.493 KILOMETERS LALAB-BAY-ANG-MAGPAG-ONG BATAN FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD AMOUNTING TO 34 MILLION PESOS AND NOW WAITING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NO OBJECTION LETTER;
• THE 7 KILOMETERS CABANGILA-ANGAS-PALAY-CAMANCI-NAPTI FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD AMOUNTING TO 95.4 MILLION PESOS AND IS PROPOSED FOR 2018;
• AND THE MAGPAG-ONG FISH PORT WHICH IS PROPOSED FOR 2018 FOR FUNDING.
IT HAS BEEN A BUSY YEAR FOR OUR BUILDERS, THE PROVINCIAL ENGINEER’S OFFICE. ASIDE FROM OUR PRDP-IBUILD PROJECT, WE HAVE ALSO EMBARKED ON VARIOUS MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES COMPLEMENTING THE VARIOUS PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS.
OUR BANNER PROJECTS INCLUDE THE:
• 125.7 MILLION PESOS DILG-KALSADA PROGRAM PROJECT: REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF COLONG-COLONG-TUL-ANG-RIZAL-NALIGUSAN-NAILE-SAN JOSE-MONLAQUE PROVINCIAL ROAD. IT HAS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT OF AROUND 50%. THE PROJECT WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT THE CONSTITUENCY FROM THE 7 BARANGAYS OF IBAJAY.
• THE 131.7 MILLION DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FUNDED CONSTRUCTION, EXPANSION, REPAIR, RENOVATION, AND UPGRADING OF INFRASTRUCTURES OF THE DR. RAFAEL S. TUMBUKON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IS 60% COMPLETED AND EXPECTED TO BE FULLY COMPLETED BY END OF THE YEAR.
• OUR 2016 COMPLETED PROJECTS FOR ROADS & BRIDGES FUNDED BY THE 20% IRA DEVELOPMENT FUND AMOUNT TO 55.1 MILLION PESOS.
• FOR OUR PROJECTS USING THE 5% LOCAL DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT & REDUCTION FUND, WE HAVE COMPLETED A TOTAL AMOUNT OF 14.2 MILLION PESOS.
• OUR PROJECTS FUNDED UNDER CAPITAL OUTLAY 2016 AMOUNT TO 17.9 MILLION AND THE ROAD MAINTENANCE PROJECTS COMPLETED LAST 2016 UNDER THE GENERAL FUND AMOUNT TO 3.9 MILLION PESOS.
WE HAVE ALSO MAINTAINED SUCCESS IN OUR BEST PRACTICE, THE AKLAN COMMUNITY-BASED MAINTENANCE CONTRACTINGORACBMC PROJECT. THIS PILOT PROJECT OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT PROMOTES COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT PROCESSES SPECIFIC TO THE LABOR COMPONENT OF OUR PROVINCIAL ROAD MAINTENANCE PROJECTS.
AS OF DATE, I AM ELATED TO REPORT THAT FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS WE HAVE A INCREASED OUR EMPLOYMENT OF LOCAL WORKERS, THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED, INCOME OF LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS AND WORKERS, AND THE LENGTH OF PROVINCIAL ROADS COVERED.
WE ARE ALSO PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THIS JULY, AFTER A THOROUGH PROCESS OF SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS, WE WILL NOW COMMENCE WITH THE DILG-CONDITIONAL MATCHING GRANT TO PROVINCES OR CMGP PROJECT, THE MALINAO-MADALAG ROAD IN THE AMOUNT OF 147 MILLION PESOS.
WE HAVE BEEN MAINTAINING THIS ROAD FOR SO MANY YEARS WITH THE MEAGER RESOURCES OF THE PROVINCE THEN. NOW, OUR CONSTITUENTS FROM MALINAO AND MADALAG CAN LOOK FORWARD TO A CONCRETE ROAD PROVIDING EASE TO THEIR DAILY COMMUTE OR TRANSPORT OF PRODUCTS.
YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT OUR MAJOR PROJECTS ARE ASSISTANCE AVAILED BY THE PROVINCE FROM OUR NATIONAL DEPARTMENTS. THEY PROVIDE THE BULK AND WE PROVIDE THE COUNTERPART. BUT THERE IS ALWAYS THAT CONDITION THAT OUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT MEET A SET OF REQUIREMENTS, AND THESE ALMOST ALWAYS GO BACK TO HOW WE PERFORM OUR GOVERNANCE.
BILANG GOBERNADOR, AKON MAN NASALIGAN DU MGA HEPE IT MGA OPISINA SA KAPITOLYO AG SA MGA NASYONAL NGA AHENSYA IT GOBYERNO SA MAAYAD-AYAD MAN NGA PAGPADAEAGAN IT ANDANG MGA DEPARTAMENTO.
OUR PERENNIAL SECRETARIAT, THE PROVINCIAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IS ALWAYS ON THEIR TOES WITH THE MONITORING AND DOCUMENTATION OF ALL OUR PROJECTS AND GRANTS. WE HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED OUR GOOD RELATIONS WITH OUR PARTNERS DUE TO YOUR CLOSE COORDINATION.
WE WOULD HAVE BEEN OFF-SCHEDULE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR PROGRAMS IF NOT FOR THE TIMELY ACTION BY OUR PROVINCIAL GENERAL SERVICES OFFICE IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. THE PGSO AND THE PROVINCIAL BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE WAS ABLE TO PROCURE AND INSPECT 150 MILLION PESOS WORTH OF OUR MUCH NEEDED EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES LAST 2016.
THE PROVINCE REMAINS TRUSTWORTHY FOR BEING CONSISTENT IN THE EFFICIENT PRESENTATION AND REPORTING OF OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BY THE PROVINCIAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE. WITH REGULAR MONITORING OF NATIONAL AGENCY PROGRAMS, TIMELY REMITTANCE AND SUBMISSION OF REPORTS AS WELL AS THE FISCAL INNOVATIONS INTRODUCED ARE ESSENTIAL IN OUR CONTINUING QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE IN HANDLING OUR FINANCES.
THRU THE AKLAN PROVINCIAL INTERNAL AUDIT OFFICEWE CONTINUE TO REVIEW, ASSESS AND EVALUATE OUR INTERNAL CONTROLS IF THEY ARE IN PLACE AND IS SERVING ITS PURPOSE. THIS WAY WE ENSURE THAT SERVICES, PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS ARE DELIVERED EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.
I AM PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE PROSPECT OF OUR COMPUTERIZED TAX SYSTEM THRU THE ETRACS LEADING TO EFFICIENT SERVICE AND AGGRESSIVE COLLECTION. THE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIVISION WILL SEE TO IT THAT THIS TOOL WILL BE MAXIMIZED AS A WELCOME UPGRADE IN OUR GOVERNANCE AND THAT OF OUR MUNICIPALITIES.
IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO INVEST IN THE OTHER ASPECTS OF LIFE OF OUR PEOPLE.
WE WANT OUR PEOPLE TO FEEL SAFE THAT IS WHY WE DO NOT FAIL IN PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE FINANCIAL LOGISTICAL OPERATION OF THE AKLAN POLICE PROVINCIAL OFFICE. WE HAVE EXTENDED 2.3 MILLION PESOS FOR THE ERADICATION OF ILLEGAL DRUGS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATION AND ACTIVITIES. THIS SUPPORTS THE COVENANT ENTERED BY THE PROVINCE WITH STAKEHOLDERS, PNP AND AFP TO EXPEDITE THE EFFORT AND RELENTLESS FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM AND ILLEGAL DRUGS.
OUR PROVINCIAL SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE MANAGED TO COVER 2,496 OF OUR INDIGENTS AMOUNTING TO 60.3 MILLION PESOS WORTH OF EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, TRANSPORTATION, SHELTER AND BURIAL ASSISTANCE. WE CATERED MOSTLY OUR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY AND OUR SENIOR CITIZENS. OUR EFFORTS COMPLEMENTED THE ASSISTANCE DOWNLOADED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT REGIONAL OFFICE.
WE MANAGED TO REACH OUT AND EDUCATE 4,248 COUPLES ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD WHICH IS 212% HIGHER COMPARED WITH THE 2,000 TARGET FOR 2016.
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN A PARTNER OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IN PROVIDING A HOLISTIC APPROACH IN THE GROWTH OF OUR PUPILS THROUGH THE SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF 23 MILLION IN 2016. WE USED THIS FUND FOR THE PAYMENT OF SCHOOL BOARD TEACHERS, REPAIR OF FACILITIES AS WELL AS OUR IN-SCHOOL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2017, WE HAVE EXPENDED ALREADY 34 MILLION FOR THIS PURPOSE.
WE CONTINUE TO BOOST UP OUR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AS WELL. FOR THE 2ND SEMESTER OF ACADEMIC YEAR 2016 TO 2017, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SCHOLARS AND GRANTEES IS 1,311. OF THIS NUMBER, 293 STUDENTS GRADUATED BY THE END OF THE SEMESTER. THIS ACADEMIC YEAR 2017 – 2018, FOR THE 1ST SEMESTER, THERE IS A TOTAL OF 1, 460 STUDENTS UNDER THE PROGRAM. 31 OF WHICH ARE FULL SCHOLARS AND 1, 429 ARE EDUCATIONAL GRANTEES.I SHARE THE PRIDE OF THE PARENTS OF OUR 2 MAGNA CUM LAUDE AND 20 CUM LAUDE GRADUATES.
KAIBAHAN MAN NATON RUNG TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY SA PAGPABASKOG IT KAPASIDAD PARA SA MGA TINUTUYO NGA TRABAHO.
OUR EFFORTS IN EDUCATION IS PREPARATION FOR FUTURE OCCUPATIONS.
FROM 2016 TO JUNE 2017, THE PROVINCIAL PESO CONDUCTED SEVEN JOB FAIRS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR DOLE WHERE 2,925 APPLICANTS REGISTERED BOTH FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT. 116 EMPLOYERS (92 LOCAL AND 24 OVERSEAS) PARTICIPATED WHICH EVENTUALLY RESULTED TO THE EMPLOYMENT OR DEPLOYMENT OF 194 AKLANONS.
ALLOW ME TO SHARE THE AWARDS THAT WE HAVE REAPED FOR THE PAST YEAR. I DON’T INTEND TO BOAST, I AM JUST STATING OUR PRESENT REALITY THAT OUR OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES STRIVE FOR PRIDE AND HONOR IN PUBLIC SERVICE WORK.
LAST MARCH 3, 2016, THE SPANISH AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION (AECID) AND PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON WOMEN AWARDED TO THE PROVINCE A PLAQUE OF RECOGNITION FOR THE INVALUABLE SUPPORT AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT PROJECT PARTNER OF THE PCW-AECID PROJECT: INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT WITH GENDER FOCUS: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MAGNA CARTA OF WOMEN.
SPECIAL COMMENDATION WAS ALSO CONFERRED TO THE PROVINCE IN APPRECIATION OF ITS EFFORT AND INITIATIVES IN STRENGTHENING CONVERGENCE OF SUPPORT AND SERVICES ON THE MANAGEMENT OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN CASES IN AKLAN, THEREBY ADVANCING GENDER EQUALITY AND FULFILMENT OF WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS.
THE YEAR ROUND STRENGTHENING OF OUR EXISTING DRRM PROGRAMS BY THE PROVINCIAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION OFFICE EARNED FOR THE PROVINCE THE 3RD BEST PROVINCIAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT COUNCIL IN THE 2016 GAWAD KALASAG AWARDS LAST DECEMBER 2016.
I WAS MADE AWARE THAT FOR THIS YEAR’S AWARDS, WE WON AS THE 2ND BEST PROVINCIAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT COUNCIL IN THE WHOLE REGION.
OUR PRESENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS WILL NEVER BE BLEAK WITH THE EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE OF OUR TREASURY OFFICES. AND SUCH DID NOT GO UNNOTICED BY THE BUREAU OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE AS THEY CONFERRED TO OUR PROVINCIAL TREASURER’S OFFICE:
• A PLAQUE OF RECOGNITION FOR 2ND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE COLLECTION OF REAL PROPERTY TAX HAVING OBTAINED A PERFORMANCE RATING OF 91.48%
• PLAQUE OF RECOGNITION FOR 2ND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE COLLECTION OF ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE WITH PERFORMANCE RATING OF 139.54% AND
• CERTIFICATE OF CITATION FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE COLLECTION FEES AND CHARGES HAVING OBTAINED A PERFORMANCE RATING OF 91.46%.
THE BUREAU OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE AWARDED TO OUR PROVINCIAL ASSESSOR’S OFFICE THE:
• 2ND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE VALUATION OF REAL PROPERTIES IN THE PROVINCE OF AKLAN WHICH FACILITATED THE COLLECTION OF REAL PROPERTY TAX FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2015, HAVING OBTAINED THE 2ND HIGHEST PERFORMANCE RATING OF 91.48% UNDER THE CATEGORY OF PROVINCES OF REGION VI AND
• CERTIFICATE OF CITATION FOR ENHANCING REAL PROPERTY VALUATION AND LOCAL REVENUE GENERATION THROUGH BEST PRACTICE.
SA GIHAPON, PARA SA DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, 2016 SEAL OF GOOD LOCAL GOVERNANCE AWARDEE GIHAPON RONG AKLAN NGA KUNG SIIN MAKABUOE KITA SA PERFORMANCE CHALLENGE FUND IT 4 MILLION PESOS PARA SA PAG-IMPROBAR IT ATONG KARSADAHON.
AWARDEE MAN KITA SA 2016 SEACH FOR EXCELLENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE (EXCELL AWARDS) IT DILG. 2ND RUNNER-UP SA ADMINISTRATIVE GOVERNANCE, 2ND RUNNER-UP SA SOCIAL GOVERNANCE, 1ST RUNNER-UP SA ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE AND 2ND RUNNER-UP BEST PERFORMING LGU SA BILOG NGA REGION 6.
THESE AWARDS MIRROR THE REALITY THAT OUR PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS CONTINUE TO DO ORDINARY THINGS EXTRAORDINARILY WELL.
WHILE WE TREASURE ALL THE AWARDS AND THE PRAISES THAT WE RECEIVED, LET US NOT DO WORK FOR RECOGNITION BUT INSTEAD, TAKE ON OUR WORK OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND MAKE IT WORTHY OF RECOGNITION.
LET US FIND JOY IN OURSELVES THROUGH THE IMPACT THAT WE MAKE ON THE CLIENTS THAT WE SERVE.
IT IS INNATE IN A PERSON’S HUMANITY TO BE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS. IT IS A JOURNEY OF CONTINUOUSLY FINDING THAT FEELING OF SELF WORTH.
THIS IS WHAT FUELS ME TO LEAVE IBAJAY EARLY TO REPORT FOR WORK IN THE CAPITOL AND THANKFULLY AN ACCEPTABLE REASON FOR MY FAMILY WHENEVER I AM COMING HOME LATE.
ABO GID NGA SAEAMAT.
GOD BLESS THE PROVINCE AND THE PEOPLE OF AKLAN!
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