DOT to accredit transport vehicles

By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

At least three tourist land transport vehicles of the Caticlan Boracay Transport Multi-purpose Cooperative-Shuttle Van Group (CBTMPC-SVG) will be given accreditation by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
“The issuance of accreditation to tour operators would guarantee the convenience and safety of tourists visiting the province and to the world famous tourist destination - Boracay Island,” said DOT Boracay officer-in-charge Judith Icotanim.
CBTMPC-SVG Business Manager Jingco said that his group submitted the requirements for DOT-6 accreditation and also sought partnership with Mabuhay Hosts Association to ensure quality service to local and foreign tourists.
Every tourist operator must be found roadworthy, properly equipped with adequate air-conditioning units, and with at least one portable fire extinguisher for the protection of its passengers, he added.
DOT accreditation had been issued to tourist land transport operator Southwest Tours much earlier but Icotanim said this is the first time a transport cooperative would be given Certificate of Accreditation by DOT 6 Regional Director Edwin Trompeta in Aklan.
CBTMPC-SVG recently opened its 800-square meter Kalibo transport terminal equipped with comfort rooms, passenger waiting area, canteen and a sprawling parking area for its 42 L300 utility vans plying the Kalibo-Caticlan route.
“This (accreditation) would regulate the fares and improve the tourist transport services to our visitors,” Jingco claimed./MP

FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

BFP Aklan calls for public support
By BOY RYAN B.ZABAL

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Aklan is appealing to the communities for support in its fire prevention and protection awareness campaign.
Chief Insp. Dennis L. Daymon, Provincial Fire Marshal, said the support of every citizen in the fire safety and protection campaign would save lives and properties during fire incidents.
BFP Aklan is presently celebrating the Fire Prevention Month with the theme “Pamayanan Sama-Sama Laban sa Sunog.”
“We are stepping up our fire suppression and prevention campaign on nine identified fire-prone areas in Kalibo particularly C. Laserna and Oyo Torong. BFP Aklan is also conducting yearly fire drills in schools to ensure the readiness and alertness of its personnel during fire incidents,” he said.
Daymon, who was reassigned in Aklan on January 16, 2006 after his stint at BFP Guimaras, directed his 78 personnel in Aklan to intensify their fire safety awareness campaign in every barangay and establishments by getting the involvement of fire brigade volunteers.
SFO4 Darius Melgarejo of BFP Aklan noted 20 fire incidents from January to November last year claimed the lives of two persons and damaged P70.945-million worth of properties. Damage rose to 176.70 percent during that period.
The biggest fire that BFP Aklan recorded was the January 21, 2005 blaze at the talipapa of Boracay Island.
“To ensure the people’s safety, fire safety inspectors are conducting periodic inspection of establishments in Aklan and seminar / fire drill with barangay officials, students and tanods,” Melgarejo pointed out.
Meanwhile, Daymon thanked Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo for providing BFP the logistics in the conduct of fire safety and prevention campaign, including the proposal for a new site for BFP Aklan and the municipal fire station./MP

‘One-entry, one-exit scheme unfair to boat operators’

By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Provincial Ordinance 05-032 mandating the one entry, one exit scheme in this island is favorable to big resort owners with boats but unfair to local boat operators, claimed Jesus Jingco, business manager of the Caticlan Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative-Shuttle Van Group (CBTMPC-SVG).
He cited Section 5 of the provincial ordinance exempting resorts with boats from following the single entry-exit scheme.
“If the ordinance is for security purposes, it should apply to all,” Jingco said.
The ordinance emphasizes the need to lessen motorized pump boats in the beachfronts and give more security to visitors and residents, but it is also prejudicial to individual boat operators plying the Caticlan-Boracay route if the province permits resorts to load and unload its guests in designated stations in the White Beach, he averred.
Jingco also challenged the provincial government to look into the operations of the Welcome Center, a privately owned port operated by a pool of resort owners. He said it directly competes with the Caticlan Jetty Port, the designated jump-off point to Boracay.
Every visitor of resorts and hotels is paying P30 for entrance fee and P50 for the environmental fee similar to the fees imposed at Caticlan Jetty Port, Jingco said.
Aklan Vice Gov. Ronquillo Tolentino said the Welcome Center was established even before the Caticlan Jetty Port started operating. It was allowed to continue operating by the local government of Malay because of the investments of the owners in the resort-island, he explained.
“The Welcome Center loading area is exclusively for their clients and has been there for almost eight years now,” he said.
April 1 after a regional trial court junked the petition for declaratory relief of the local government of Malay.
Jingco said the continued operation of Welcome Center compromises the security of the island.

Gloria ‘takes 2’ on Aklan Day

By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

For the second time in four years, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the guest of honor in the founding anniversary of Aklan as an independent province.
Aklan was officially created as a distinct province from Capiz after President Ramon Magsaysay signed the Republic Act 1414 on April 25, 1956.
The Act was sponsored by Cong. Godofredo P. Ramos, hailed as the “Father of Aklan.”
In 2002, Arroyo graced the 46th anniversary at the Gov. Augusto B. Legaspi Sports Complex during the incumbency of former three-termer governor Florencio Miraflores.
Arroyo said Aklan is one of the best tourist destinations because it has world-class beaches, exciting caves and colorful festivals.
Aside from these, Aklan also has abundant agricultural products and highly competitive marine products.
“Let this anniversary (46th year) celebration be the start of our renewed effort to broaden the horizons of peace, progress and unity. And we thank Aklan because you have given Boracay to the entire Philippines,” said Arroyo in her speech on April 25, 2002.
In this year’s anniversary, the President will inaugurate the P139-million World Bank-financed second level referral (non-teaching) Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital.
Arroyo also led the groundbreaking rites of the multi-million Shangri-La resort in Boracay Island on April 2005 and graced the celebration of the famous Kalibo Señor Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan festival on January 14, 2006.
Cong. Jose Alba-Urquiola and Eufronio Alba of the 2nd and 3rd Districts of Capiz were among the first Aklan leaders who presented a bill for the separation of Aklan from Capiz in 1920; however, many politically influential Capizeños were against them.
It was later renamed as Urquiola-Pastrana when Alba lost on Pastrana’s protest against the election of Alba. In 1925, Cong. Manuel Laserna and Teodulfo Suñer in 1930 tried to seek the separation of Aklan from Capiz but this also proved futile.
In 1934, Cong. Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon of the 3rd District also introduced a separation bill and successfully secured the approval of the Committee on Provincial and Municipal Governments after the due hearings. But he failed to push through in November of 1934 due to lack of time.

Aklan Board condemns state of emergency

By RECTO I. VIDAL

Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawiganhere have collectively expressed expressed theiropposition and condemnation over a series of executiveorders made by President Arroyo over the weekend.

However, the approval of a resolution stronglycondemning Proclamation 1017 and General Order No.5 ofPresident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and declaring thecollective voice of Aklanons for its immediate repealand revocation, was deferred after some of its member expressed concern over the strong language being usedby its sponsors Board members Franklin Quimpo andRamon Gelito.

"In essence, the members share the same sentiments incondemning the acts of the President however some ofthe SP members expressed their reservations inapproving said resolution due to its strong languangethus the proponents were urged to finetune the wordings of said resolution," SP member SelwynIbarretta, committee chair on laws, rules andordinances,told his colleagues.

Earlier, SP Member Plaridel Morania raised certainlegal and constitutional issues and expressed deepconcern over said resolution and warned his colleaguesto be "discreet and careful" due to the fact that theprovincial board is representing the people. "

I highly condemn the acts of our chief executive butlets be careful in approving this resolution for theseinvolves our people and they might get angry if weapprove this on a haphazard manner considering thatthe situation is still confusing and liquid."

President Arroyo has signed on February 24,Proclamation 1017, declaring a "state of emergency allover the country," and General Order No. 5," givingthe police and military powers to carry out necessaryand appropriate actions and measures to suppress andprevent acts of terrorism and lawless violence." "

Pursuant to this highly anomalous, immoral andillegal order, the police has effected severalwarantless arrests like the arrst of Professor RandyDavid, retired General Montano, People' Rep. CrispinBeltran (Anakpawis), Joel Virador of BayanMuna-Davao,Teodoro Casno (Bayan Muna), Liza Maza(Gabriela), Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna) and raided theoffices of the Dialy Tribune, and the residence offormer Senator Gregorio Honasan and even tried to takeaway former Joseph E. Estrada in addition to thethreat of arrest of countless leaders of theopposition," Quimpo contended.

Considering the spirit and substance of the 1987Constitution of the Philippines, the Bill of Rightsand Civil Liberties are sacred rights that must beprotected by all, especially the wielders of power ndauthority, according to Gelito.

The twin proclamations is a major trespass of theabode constitutionally guaranteed rights like therights to free speech, right to peaceful assembly ndright against unreasonable searches, and show thatblack shadows of how people were abused and violatedduring the regime of Martial law.

Under a regime of justice and democracy these kind ofproclamations, are a major deterrent to a sound andpeaceful social and economic society whixh undulymakes the Philippines a major country forinternational concern nd anxiety whose damage to theeconomy, progress and stability cannot be fathomed.

Aklan is for Charter Change

Kalibo, Aklan – Aklan will soon have an OFW Migrant Desk to cater to the needs of the province’ Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with the recent signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Provincial Government of Aklan.

Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez said this OFW Migrant Desk which would be located at the Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) is the first to be opened in Region 6.

The MOA Signing was held at the Conference Room of the Provincial Guest House here March 17, with OWWA Administrator Marianito D. Roque and Governor Carlito S. Marquez as the main signatories, and witnessed by Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino and several Aklan mayors.

Adm. Roque said the opening of an OFW Migrant Desk in Aklan is very essential as Aklan has many OFWs. According to him, queries about family members abroad who failed to communicate could be made possible through the Migrant Desk or problems being experienced by OFWs abroad and other concerns could be aided by the OWWA through its welfare offcials in 30 embassies all over the world.

Roque said besides taking care of OFWs’ welfare when they get out of the country to work, OWWA also helps in the mediation process when problems between OFWs and employers arise, assists in repatriation of OFWs, has an existing scholarship program for children of OFWs and offers livelihood programs to OFWs and their families.

Governor Marquez said the opening of the migrant desk is timely because Aklan sends hundreds of OFWs abroad working as domestic helpers, nurses, marine officers and many others and this is evidenced with the upliftment of lives of their families and their beautiful houses found in the different parts of the province today.

Aklan, according to Vivian Ruiz R. Solano, PESO- Manager has 561 documented OFWs, traced through a survey done by the office.

Solano said there is a big number of Aklan OFWs but many failed to answer the survey.

Continuing efforts by PESO-Aklan are being done to obtain the real number of OFWs in the province, according to Solano.

Those from OWWA who came with Adm. Roque to Alan were Regional Director Raul Debris, Noel Chavez and Allen Arroyo, Family Welfare Officer. (VGVillanueva/PIA-Aklan)

Region’s first OFW Migrant Desk to open in Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan – Aklan will soon have an OFW Migrant Desk to cater to the needs of the province’ Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with the recent signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Provincial Government of Aklan.

Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez said this OFW Migrant Desk which would be located at the Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) is the first to be opened in Region 6.

The MOA Signing was held at the Conference Room of the Provincial Guest House here March 17, with OWWA Administrator Marianito D. Roque and Governor Carlito S. Marquez as the main signatories, and witnessed by Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino and several Aklan mayors.

Adm. Roque said the opening of an OFW Migrant Desk in Aklan is very essential as Aklan has many OFWs. According to him, queries about family members abroad who failed to communicate could be made possible through the Migrant Desk or problems being experienced by OFWs abroad and other concerns could be aided by the OWWA through its welfare offcials in 30 embassies all over the world.

Roque said besides taking care of OFWs’ welfare when they get out of the country to work, OWWA also helps in the mediation process when problems between OFWs and employers arise, assists in repatriation of OFWs, has an existing scholarship program for children of OFWs and offers livelihood programs to OFWs and their families.

Governor Marquez said the opening of the migrant desk is timely because Aklan sends hundreds of OFWs abroad working as domestic helpers, nurses, marine officers and many others and this is evidenced with the upliftment of lives of their families and their beautiful houses found in the different parts of the province today.

Aklan, according to Vivian Ruiz R. Solano, PESO- Manager has 561 documented OFWs, traced through a survey done by the office.

Solano said there is a big number of Aklan OFWs but many failed to answer the survey.

Continuing efforts by PESO-Aklan are being done to obtain the real number of OFWs in the province, according to Solano.

Those from OWWA who came with Adm. Roque to Alan were Regional Director Raul Debris, Noel Chavez and Allen Arroyo, Family Welfare Officer. (VGVillanueva/PIA-Aklan)

Nabas corners regional awards

Nabas, a western municipality of Aklan leading to Caticlan, the jump-off point to the world-famous Boracay Island, has seemingly cornered several major regional awards given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 6 and other award-giving agencies recently.

One much-coveted award the town has cornered is for the Best Performing Local Government Operations Officer V in the region for 2005, given to Emmie Macogue-Cawaling, the Municipal Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO) of Nabas. Cawaling bested all other LGOOs in the region vying for the award.

Cawaling’s collegues at DILG-Aklan said she was cited for initiating innovations in Nabas town that motivated barangay officials to submit much-needed reports on time and on regular basis.

As a regional awardee, DiLG-Aklan said Cawaling would compete for the same award in the national level.

Another regional award received by Nabas is for the Best Barangay Tanod Individual Category, given to Chief Tanod Ed T. Sabigon of Barangay Union, Nabas. The award was given by the Regional Search Committee composed of the DILG, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the PNPA Regional Offices.

On the other hand, for the town’s effective implementation of the Early Childhood Development Program (ECCD)), Nabas was also awarded as the Best Performing Local Government Unit for 2005. The award was given by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH) and the Council for the Protection of Children in the region.

Outside Nabas, one other regional award received by the province is the Best Model Gabay Sa Mamamayan Aksyon Center (GMAC) 2005 Rural Category, received by Brgy. Odiong, Altavas, Aklan.

GMAC is a barangay-based and barangay focused facility, which serves as an information action center to ensure people’s immediated access to information on government services (PIA/DILG)

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