PNA NEWS

Shipping, Tourism Industry Players Rate GMA High

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan, April 15 Players in shipping and tourism industries would surely give Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo a positive rating should survey firms take time to seek their views, according to Caticlan Port Administrator Niven Maquirang,
"Unknown to many these two considered it a legacy of Ms. Arroyo the establishment of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH). This project boosted the operation of the shipping industry consequently contributing to the growth of the tourism industry," said Maquirang.

The SRNH project was recommended by a Japanese firm after conducting a feasibility study.

Started in early 2000, the SRNH now has become a major and cheaper mode of trans-port of local tourism and transfer of goods in the country side.

To date, some 12 trips are made to Boracay Island daily. Also notable is the return of the Negros Navigation trip Caticlan-Manila.

Aside from the Negros Navigation, other vessel companies that also operate are the Montenegro Lines, Starlight Ferry and Super Shuttle Ferry.

The Department of Tourism also attested that the SRNH has increased the number of domestic tourists visiting this resort island.
　

DOLE Introduces ‘Entreprenurse’ Program In W. Visayas

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Iloilo City is eyeing the establishment of a cooperative that will accommodate nurses in Western Visayas who are yet to find jobs.

DOLE assistant regional director Crispin Dannug said the initiative, dubbed as "Entreprenurse" first launched in Davao City, is one of their responses to address the employment needs of the increasing number of nurses.

In 2009 alone, there were about 160,000 nurses all over the country who were unemployed, he said.

Dannug said that they are now establishing core groups, composed of 15 members each starting with Aklan. Similar group is also organized in Capiz and Iloilo this week and another one in Bacolod City next Monday.

The group will have to undergo through the process of cooperative build up, he said.
Once in place, the DOLE will support the cooperative in the purchase of equipment and maintenance of their small clinic cum office.

"Under the Nursing Act, they can have their own independent practice for a fee. They can do this individually but they can also do this collectively through a cooperative," he added.

Dannug said that the cooperative can now dispense nursing services as allowed under the Nursing Act, which will be further defined with the support of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA).

"We project that by the end of three months all the list of services will be available," he added.

He added that the initiative is exciting because it’s the first time that there will be a cooperative of nurses.

Ex-chief Justice Favors Advance Voting for Mediamen

Former Chief Justice Silvestre Bello favored advance voting for mediamen who will be covering the upcoming 2010 automated elections.

Bello was in Aklan Wednesday as part of his campaign sortie in Panay Island.
"The media should have a full focus in monitoring the automated election since this is the first time in history. /MP