RCBC Opens Caticlan Branch

The Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) opens its branch in Caticlan Jetty Port this week, July 28.

The opening of the RCBC branch indicates that Bgy. Caticlan, Malay, Aklan is becoming the center of development in the province nowadays.

Niven Maquirang, Caticlan Jetty Port administrator, said that they expect more banking institutions and other investments to arrive in the area as the port opens to new opportunities. The Mercury Drug Store, one of the leading institutions in the country, has recently opened its branch in Caticlan.

Already, almost all major banking institutions have opened its respective branches in the nearby Boracay Island.

For several years, Bgy. Caticlan has been known as the primary gateway of both foreign and local tourists coming in and out of this resort island.

The San Miguel Corporation has partnered with Chinese-Filipino investor George Yang for a P2-billion development project of the Caticlan Airport. The Aklan provincial government also is building a P260-million reclamation project in the said village.

"It could not be denied that Caticlan has become the center of development in Aklan," Maquirang said.

Meanwhile, Kokoy Soquilon, Aklan provincial assessor expects real estate property tax rates will continue to rise in Caticlan because of its continued development.

DepEd Centers Nutrition Month On Public
Elementary Schools Students

The Department of Education (DepEd), Iloilo City will focus on the health of students in all public elementary schools as part of the July Nutrition Month celebration.

Iloilo City schools division superintendent Dr. Erlinda Gencaya, in an interview, said that the DepEd is concerned with the weight of most students in the elementary school level.

Although this year’s Nutrition Month event centers on providing proper food and weight of babies, Dr. Gencaya said that the weight of students should also be monitored. She emphasized that most underweight students are underfed and undernourished when they were babies.

She said that students who are not properly fed and are underweight tend to underperform in their subjects. They find it hard to concentrate in classes. The same tendency is also noticed among obese students.

"It is important that parents monitor the food of their children and give them healthy vegetables. She also reminded parents to stop giving students junk foods, especially during break times," Gencaya suggested.

Dr. Gencaya said the DepEd is keen on promoting this year’s July nutrition month celebration theme: "Sa Pagkaing Tama at Sapat, Wastong Timbang ni Baby ang Katapat." All the city schools are requested to fully support the celebration and include it in their subjects especially on health.

On the other hand, Ms. Nona Tad-y, nutrition program coordinator, National Nutrition Council said that her office is coordinating with the DepEd to fully promote the values of nutrition among students.

There are more than 50 public elementary schools in Iloilo with over 45,000 students. This number does not include students from the private schools. (PNA) /MP