BORACAY REOPENING TO INSPIRE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

A better and more sustainable Boracay is set to welcome back visitors on October 26 and is expected to usher in newer and bigger markets awaiting the island’s full recovery.

Undersecretary for Tourism Development Benito Bengzon Jr. reiterated that the Department of Tourism (DOT) is well on track with its 7.4 million target as the island’s closure also became an opportunity to introduce and boost travellers’ awareness of other tourism destinations in the country, which was key to retaining the country’s positive month-on-month performance on tourism arrivals.

“The fact that we have kept ourselves afloat is a very strong reflection of how resilient the industry is, how quick we are to make adjustments with our marketing and promotions and I think, also a very strong communication of how prepared the other destinations are in welcoming the influx of tourists who otherwise would have gone to Boracay.” Undersecretary Bengzon said.

The  DOT executive earlier stated that despite the closure of one of the country’s flagship destinations, brand equity remains strong as this has been continuously built upon for decades and has ensured stability  such that demands from the global market also remains significantly high even with sudden setbacks.

A worldwide advertising campaign is set to be launched by the DOT in the following months, to be accompanied by strengthened promotions for various PH destinations, including the much-awaited re-opening of the famous island.

This campaign is projected to entice more travellers to visit more destinations in addition to Boracay, as trainings and workshops for better sustainability practices are now being disseminated to industry players all over the country, guaranteed to provide better services to future clients.

“When you look at it overall, we really have to make sure that when we roll it out, when we relaunch Boracay, it would be a better destination, more environment-friendly, and it will be more secure and we have to make sure that, more important than anything else, we avoid the problems that led to its closure in the first place.”

The DOT’s thrust for sustainability is also accompanied with infrastructure developments aimed at the same goal.

Among these developments are the new Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and an evident buildup in the accommodation sector expected to expand the destinations’ capacity in welcoming visitors from all over the world.

Undersecretary Bengzon assures travellers of better visitor experiences with the DOT’s projects already laid out for the coming months.

“For our part, we will make sure that the accommodation establishments comply with the DENR/DILG requirements before they qualify for DOT accreditation.  Manpower training programs will be extended to the accredited establishments so that the frontline services are much improved prior to the closing. And lastly, we will have to work on a very intensive marketing promotions.  So in our travel fairs, in our sales missions, Boracay will be showcased as a better destination for our markets.”

In 2017, foreign tourist arrivals reached 6,620,908 in total and in the first half 2018, 3.706 million international arrivals was recorded, promising a positive run towards the 7.4 million goal by the end of the year.

With the reopening of Boaracay, the country is looking forward to bringing in new markets as well as sustaining the growth of its key markets – South Korea, China and the United States.##

- Department of Tourism - Philippines

24-ANYOS NA LALAKI ARESTADO MATAPOS MAG-SHOPLIFT SA KALIBO

ARESTADO ANG lalaki na ito makaraang mang-shoplift sa isang establiyemento sa Kalibo gabi ng Biyernes.

Kinilala ang suspek na si Rodmar Dalid, 24-anyos, residente ng Brgy. Tigayon, Kalibo.

Nakuha sa kanya ang dalawang blouse, dalawang sombrero, isang pares ng tsinelas at isang damit panlalaki.

Nahuli ng mga guwardiya ang nasabing lalaki na hindi dumaan sa counter. Isinilid niya ang mga items sa bag at hindi pa nababayaran.

Ikinulong sa Kalibo PNP station ang suspek para sa kaukulang disposisyon.##

- Darwin Tapayan, Energy FM Kalibo

LALAKI ARESTADO SA MAKATO MATAPOS MAHULIHAN NG BARIL SA CHECKPOINT

ARESTADO ANG isang lalaki sa Brgy. Tina, Makato gabi ng Byernes matapos mahulihan ng baril sa checkpoint.

Sa inisyal na report ng kapulisan, kinilala ang suspek na si Louie Tarusan Macavinta ng Brgy. Carugdog, Lezo.

Nabatid na nais sanang takasan ng suspek ang checkpoint habang sakay ng kanyang motorsiklo pero hinabol siya ng mga kapulisan.

Ang checkpoint ay isinagawa ng Provincial Mobile Force Company, Highway Patrol Group, Makato PNP, at Trackers Team.

Nakita umano ng kapulisan na isang uri ng armas ang kanyang itinapon sa gilid ng kalsada. Naabutan naman siya ng mga kapulisan.

Nasabat ng mga kapulisan ang isang M1 carbine kasama ang dalawang magazine na may mga lamang bala.

Tumangging magbigay ng pahayag ang suspek sa Energy FM Kalibo.

Nakakulong na siya ngayon sa Makato Municipal Police Station at nakatakdang sampahan ng kaukulang kaso.##

DOCU-FILM ON THE ATI OF BORACAY MAKES IT TO BUSAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

LUGTA KE Tamama (Land from God) is set to have its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival, the biggest film festival in Asia from October 7-11, 2018.

The Docu film tackles plight of Ati tribe in Boracay. Boracay Island, Philippines, is a tourist destination loved by people all over the world. But, the Ati, the aborigines of the island, are losing their traditional home. This film shows the lives of the underprivileged and those helping them in the shadow of splendid development.

Congratulations to the team behind the movie as follows: Kevin Piamonte (director); Susan Mila Alvarez-Tosalem, Maria Regina Montevirgen, Robert Rodriguez (producer); Kevin Piamonte (screenplay); Emmanuel Lerona, Ruperto Quitag (cinematography); Ruperto Quitag (editor); Maria Christine Muyco (music); Division of Humanities, and University of the Philippines Visayas (production company).

The same team is behind Daang Patungong Tawaya, the XIX Martyrs of Aklan docu-film that is currently being filmed for Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino next year.

http://www.biff.kr/eng/html/program/prog_view.asp…##

- Ro Akeanon

BUSINESS GROUP IN BORACAY "DISMAYED AND DISAPPOINTED" ON NO CLEAR INFORMATION REGARDING THE ISLAND RE-OPENING

photo by D. Tapayan

The Boracay Foundation Incorporated, a major business organization in the Island, expresses dismay and disappointment to the concerned agencies on lack of communication to the stakeholders regarding guidelines on Boracay re-opening. This statement was issued by BFI on September 7. Here is the full text:

From the very beginning of the island’s six-month closure, we have repeatedly called upon the concerned agencies to set up an efficient communication process, ideally with regular weekly or bi monthly updates on targets to be achieved and objectives to be met for the ongoing rehabilitation. These updates are on their accomplishments and challenges are important to set expectations and for us to relay information to returning guests, partners, and employees who are awaiting the status of their jobs.

With the island’s closure nearly coming to an end, We are dismayed and disappointed at the continued apparent apathetic treatment of stakeholders

Instead of consulting those who have local knowledge and experience- the residents and local business who are most affected- The agencies in charge have been issuing statements across several media outlets, without releasing official communication to island stakeholders. It is as if our opinion does not matter.

Take the guidelines on "no partying and drinking on the beach" for example, or even the recent "no walk in guests" , both of which have appeared in mainstream media and yet stakeholders await with bated breath as no clear information related to these have been cascaded.

On the PCO Seminar

Many establishments still wanted to participate in the PCO Seminar, but with very limited slots available for each of the sessions, it served to become a source of stress to those establishments who are struggling to comply at the soonest possible time. With only one session per month and at a prohibitive price- almost 50% more than usual- we feel that there should be more sessions in various venues from various providers to accommodate more participants. We know for a fact that some hotels have offered the use of their facilities for free for this endeavor. Venue restrictions, the alleged reason mentioned by PCO seminar organizers for limiting participant slots, could be very easily solved by this simple solution. Bigger venues and more schedules will lead to decreased price and more participants thus more compliance make it a win win situation all around.

On the One Stop Shop (OSS) at CityMall Boracay

Hoards of people are scrambling to submit their requirements, what with With less than two weeks left before the One Stop Shop end operations in CityMall, Failing to submit all their requirements by the last day on September 15, they will be forced to process their requirements all the way in Iloilo, at least 7 hours away by land from Boracay, which poses not only a time inconvenience but a financial burden as well given that they would also have to spend on accommodation and fare. This is additional burden is too much for an already beleaguered community.

The desire to comply with the government agencies’ requirements is indisputable. But when the agencies in charge make it extremely difficult for establishments to comply – with the varying and never ending pronouncements on requirements- then it begs the question why? Isn’t it the role of the government to make its services closer to the people?

Initial List of “Compliant” Establishments

52 days before the island is re-opened to the world, "compliance" has become the new buzz word around the island. But what does it actually mean in the light of the InterAgancy Task Force for Rehabilitation? The Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) in behalf of its members would like to clarify the very complicated processes a business would have to go through before it is deemed "compliant".

An initial list of establishments allowed to operate upon the islands reopening was released last week. And while we congratulate them of course, we cannot help but ask "what really is the basis to be deemed compliant?" See, some of those on the list, by their own admission, still have no completed Sewage Treatment Plants (STP), while some are merely connected to the sewer lines even if they have more than fifty rooms.

As the island’s leading business organization, we pray and hope that clarity be upon us very soon. Six months of sacrifices – loss of income, loss of livelihood, displaced families, broken careers, and properties surrendered will all be put to waste if no efficient system, processes, and comprehensive well-thought of guidelines for re-opening will be set up.##

AKLAN POLICE OFFICE TRIUMPHS ON PROFICIENCY EVALUATION PROCESS

THE EXIT Briefing of the Proficiency Evaluation Process of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) audit team spearheaded by the Regional Chief Directorial Staff PSSupt Remus Zacharias Canieso, in line with the PNP PATROL Plan 2030 under the Performance Governance System of the Philippine National Police has been concluded today. The Aklan PPO is triumphant enough with the findings and results as the office acquired an assessment above the expected passing rate.

On July 20, 2018, the PRO 6 audit team conducted the entrance briefing followed by its performance audit and the on-site visit with three top unit/ stations in the province during the conduct of compliance stage. Those were Malinao Municipal Police Station (MPS), Kalibo MPS and 1st Aklan Provincial Mobile Force Company.

Under the five mandatory elements, the unit has been rated mostly by the highest rank from which the average of those have reached the assessment of INNOVATIVE approach with the possibility that the existing initiatives of Aklan PPO will be considered as best practice. PSupt Jun V. Derla, DPDO, quoted that this success of Aklan PPO is another milestone that will mark the Aklan PNP is working hand in hand with the community for a safe and orderly province. Further, the unwavering support of the Provincial Advisory Council headed by its Chairman, Mr Ramel Buncalan and the rest of the members is one of the strongest links of Aklan PPO in turning its peculiar initiatives into success.

Hence, the Aklan Police Provincial Strategy Management Unit (APPSMU) is now expecting the performance governance report of the provincial top cop PSSupt Lope Manlapaz this coming October 2018 while it is also expected that all the Municipal Police Stations will undergo the same process afterwards. Manlapaz commends the men and women behind this accomplishment particularly the APPSMU personnel namely NUP Bennete Sapico, Change Management and Best Practices, PO2 April Charesse Duque, Asst. Dashboard PNCO/ IT, PO1 Tim Dalton Sembrana, IT and the rest of the APPO family.##

- PO2 Ma. Jane C. Vega, PIO Aklan PPO

FEATURE: EVERYBODY IS EXCITED TO WELCOME 'NEW BORACAY'

People from all walks of life whose lives had been touched by Boracay Island, the country’s prime tourist destination, are all excited to welcome the “New Boracay” when it finally re-opens on October 26, exactly six months after it was closed for rehabilitation.

For Cheryl Bonifacio, a receptionist of Casa Pilar Beach Resort, the re-opening of the island will mean normal operations of the establishment where she works, as during the closure, workers had to work on rotations just to remain employed – working for two months and resting for two months - so that others could also have their turn.

Casa Pilar Beach Resort, one of the pioneer establishments in the island owned by the Yaps of Malay, Aklan, was only one of a handful of resorts which remained open despite the island’s closure, having been found to be compliant with all the requirements imposed by the local government and concerned national government agencies even before the island was ordered closed.

Latest development is that Casa Pilar is one of the lucky 25 accommodation establishments initially identified by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to have complied with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with permits and clearances and will be accredited by the department.

This is in pursuit of the “No Compliance, No Opening” policy of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force, and this also means that Casa Pilar, along with the 24 others, will be allowed to book visitors when Boracay re-opens.

Jessamay Paredes, working in the Human Resource Department of La Carmela Resort in Boracay, is also very excited with the news that Boracay will definitely re-open on October 26.

When Boracay was closed, La Carmela did not operate and opted to undergo rehabilitation and is targeting to be ready by the time the island re-opens.

La Carmela is not yet in the initial list of compliant establishments but hopes to be ready for everything by October 26.

For Alan Palma, Sr., Station Manager of Yes FM Boracay, the scheduled re-opening of Boracay makes him hopeful and excited.

“The six months closure is so long – people had no income, there were no tourists, residents were inactive and all around us are scenes of rehabilitation and demolition,” Palma said.

He said he is hopeful that all the requirements imposed by the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force will be met by the stakeholders and be delivered – so that both residents and tourists will truly face a “New Boracay.”

Palma said the people have learned their lesson brought by tthe Boracay closure and with the “New Boracay” prospect, he also means that the change must not only be physical but behavioral – starting with workers, frontliners, everybody.

He is hoping that when Boracay re-opens, transport and other tourism-related sectors will no longer overcharge their fees and influencial backers will be totally out.

He said there should be a change in behavior of people within - they should not just think of income and other short-term benefits but a sustainable source of livelihood from a sustainable industry.

“We in Boracay are excited to savor the recovery of the island – we want to regain what was lost,” Palma said.

Jucel Francisco is one other person who is excited for the re-opening of Boracay.

He used to have a stall at the Boracay Talipapa, selling seafood produced and caught by Aklanon fishermen from Aklan’s various coastal towns.

He has established a clientele from Boracay resorts but when Boracay was closed, he had to return to the mainland and looked for other means of supporting his young family.

Presently, he sells cooked food at a space provided by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) at the Provincial Capitol Compound, patronized by Provincial Capitol employees.

The daily marketing activity which OPA organized for small entrepreneurs to sell their products, was partly intended for displaced Boracay vendors.

Across his table where he displays his cooked food is his cousin Christine who sells siomai and other snacks.

Christine worked as a front desk staff in Boracay prior to the island’s closure.

When Boracay re-opens, Jucel will eventually go back to the island to try his luck once more.

Living in the island for years, he got qualified to avail of the P15,000 Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) grant from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for affected residents and workers, and he intends to make use of this grant as he makes another go at life in the “New Boracay.”

Presently, the local government unit of Malay where Boracay belongs, the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force, civic organizations, religious organizations, non-government oorganizations (NGOs) and many other groups are all for the sustainability of the island – once it re-opens.
The LGU, starting September 1, will ban the use of plastics in Malay and in Boracay Island.

Through Municipal Ordinance No. 386, series of 2018, plastic use will be banned in hotels, resorts, restaurants and establishments in accommodation business.

These establishments will be encouraged to use alternative environment-friendly items like shampoo dispensers, liquid body soaps and conditioners.

This measure, authored by Sangguniang Bayan member Nenette Aguirre-Graf, complements the existing Municipal Ordinance No. 320, series of 2012, prohibiting the use of plastic bags on dry goods, regulating its utilization on wet goods and prohibiting use of styrofoam/styrophor.

The DILG has advised resorts and hotels to be compliant first before booking tourists for re-opening.

The DENR is also asking the public to wait first for the release of list of compliant and accredited hotels before booking for re-opening to avoid problems and inconvenience, at the same time imposing to all resorts the establishment of their own Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) or to join cluster groups for purpose.

Big parties will no longer be allowed by the DOT at the beach fronts.

Wetlands are now being rehabilitated and cleaned by the DENR, with the help of Cash For Work (CFW) beneficiaries of the DSWD and Tulong Para Sa Ating Disadvantaged (TUPAD) workers, a program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Barely two months before Boracay reopens on October 26, the island now is truly a beehive of activities, excitement and sustainable plans – all hopeful to behold a “New Boracay.”##

- Venus G. Villanueva, PIA 6 Aklan

DENR HOPES TO SCALE UP PANAY FOREST AND CLIMATE PROTECTION PROJECT

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is hoping to expand nationwide a highly acclaimed forest and climate change protection project, which resulted in the sustainable management of resources in areas surrounding a mountain range on Panay Island.

According to DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, the recently completed Forest and Climate Protection Panay Project (ForClim)—an eight-year initiative funded and implemented by the German and Philippine governments—is worth replicating in other parts of the country.

“ForClim has proved successful in integrating biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and poverty alleviation through sustainable management of forest resources. With the right support from our partner organizations, hopefully we can bring this kind of success to other areas in the country in the near future,” Cimatu said.

Cimatu issued the statement after the implementation of ForClim’s second phase was finally completed this year. A simple closing ceremony held recently at the DENR central office was led by DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Jonas Leones and Cimatu’s chief of staff Undersecretary Rodolfo Garcia.

ForClim II, which ran from June 2014 to February 2018, was financed through a grant of 5.95 million euros from the German Ministry for the Environment, Natural Conservation and Nuclear Safety, with a local counterpart funding of 250,000 euros from the DENR. The first phase was implemented from 2010 to 2014.

Just like the first phase, ForClim II was implemented by German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit or GIZ and DENR. The project covered the Panay Mountain Range and 23 adjacent municipalities.

Throughout its implementation, ForClim II effectively managed and governed over 30,000 hectares of forest and connected systems of protected areas in Panay.

It made sure that Panay Mountain Range, given its globally significant biodiversity, was protected and natural resources in the adjacent areas were managed and used by local communities in a sustainable and climate-friendly manner.

The project introduced innovations and approaches in forest land use planning, including the establishment of critical habitats, forest conservation and management, forest rehabilitation, agroforestry, and income generation for local communities.

It followed a conservation and development approach providing incentives for sustainable resource management such as agroforestry, upland agriculture and use of bioenergy.

ForClim II also worked towards the protection of natural forests and rehabilitation of degraded forests, resulting in reduced carbon emissions of 453,353 tons from 2011 to 2017.

The project had trained more than 813 people, hired 725 forest guards, and produced forest protection agreements covering 18,732 hectares.

Garcia, in accepting on behalf of the DENR the document containing the project’s outputs, said those accomplishments “encapsulate” the department’s Program for Environment and Natural Resources for Restoration, Rehabilitation and Development or PRRD.

PRRD, which matches the initials of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, is a five-year roadmap that aims to “protect the country’s natural resources from naturally occuring and human-induced degradation.”##

DENR BACKS ORDINANCE BANNING SINGLE-USE PLASTICS IN BORACAY

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has applauded the initiative of the local government unit (LGU) of Malay in Aklan province to ban single-use plastics in Boracay and the rest of the municipality.

Municipal Ordinance No. 386, Series of 2018, prohibits the use of single-use or disposable plastic items by hotels, resorts, restaurants and establishments in the accommodation business.

DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and LGU Concerns Benny Antiporda said that the ordinance was a welcome move on the part of Malay LGU to augment government rehabilitation efforts in the pollution-challenged Boracay, which has been closed to tourists for six months until October 26.

To recall, DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said in June that a ban on single-use plastics would help ease the garbage problem on the world-famous island and prevent further degradation of its environment.

“We commend the LGU of Malay for heeding the Secretary’s call by coming up with such ordinance,” Antiporda said. “Single-use plastics, particularly those used in packaging, have been identified as a contributing factor to Boracay’s mounting waste problem, not only on land but in surrounding waters.”

At the same time, Antiporda said the single-use plastic ban is a major boost to government efforts to fight plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on humans, wildlife, waterways and oceans, and the environment.

“Malay can become a model not only for Aklan or the entire Panay Island, but also to other LGUs with ecotourism sites,” he added.

The ban covers disposable plastic products like toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, shaving razors, shower caps, sachets of shampoo or conditioner, liquid body soaps, combs, bottled water, straws, spoons, forks, knives, and sachets of coffee, sugar and creamer.

As eco-friendly alternatives, establishments are encouraged to use items such as reusable or refillable dispensers and metal utensils.

The penalties for violators are as follows: stern warning and a fine of P2,000 for first offense; confiscation of single-use plastics and a fine of P2,500 for second offense; and cancellation of business permit to operate for third offense.

The latest ordinance complements Municipal Ordinance No. 320, Series of 2012, which prohibits the use of plastic bags for dry goods, regulates its utilization on wet goods, and bans the use of styrofoam/styropor.

Last year, the environmental group Greenpeace ranked the Philippines as the “third-worst polluter into the world’s oceans” after China and Indonesia.

The Philippines got a similar ranking in terms of plastic trash in the 2015 report on plastic pollution released by Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business Environment.

According to the report, the country has become the world’s third largest source of plastic leaking into the ocean and has among the highest trash collection rates in Southeast Asia.##

TULAY NA MAGKOKONEKTA SA MGA BAYAN NG NEW WASHINGTON AT BATAN ISINUSULONG

ISINUSULONG NGAYON ng Sangguniang Bayan ng Batan ang pagtatayo ng tulay na magkokonekta sa kanilang bayan at bayan ng New Washington.

Isang resolusyon ang ipinasa nila na humihingi ng tulong o pondo mula kay Sec. Mark Villar ng Department of Public Works and Highways para sa proyektong ito.

Ayon sa resolution 2018-177 ng munisipyo, ang panibagong tulay ay magdadala ng malaking pag-unlad sa edukasyon at kabuhayan ng mga nasabing bayan.

Nabatid na mainam itong daanan para mapabilis ang biyahe mula Capiz at Iloilo kumpara kung dadaan pa ng Altavas, Balete at Banga patungo sa at mula Kalibo.

Ang dagat na humahati sa dalawang bayan ay nasa isa at kalahating kilometro. May ilang bangka ang bumibiyahe dito para makatawid.

Idinulog ng Sangguniang Bayan ang nasabing resolusyon sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Aklan para i-indorso ang resolusyon kay Sec. Villar.

Sa regular session ng SP-Aklan ngayong araw ng Lunes napagkasunduan na isang pagdinig ang ipapatawag upang alamin rin ang plano ng pamahalaang lokal ng New Washington.

Ipapatawag rin ang DPWH Aklan para alamin kung anong uri ng tulay ang itatayo. Iminungkahi rin na idulog ito sa National Infrastructure Development Authority. ##

- Darwin Tapayan, Energy FM Kalib

LALAKI NATAGPUANG PATAY SA BAYAN NG ALTAVAS

ISANG LALAKI ang natagpuang patay sa isang sapa sa Brgy. Tibiao, Altavas umaga ngayong Lunes.

Kinilala sa report ng Altavas PNP ang biktima na si Ronaldo Perez, 58 anyos, residente ng nasabing lugar.

Ayon kay PO3 Tonidey Laos, wala umanong palatandaan ng foul play sa pagkamatay ng biktima batay sa inisyal nilang imbestigasyon.

Sinasabing nahulog ang lalaki sa bangin na may taas na 15 talampakan. Posible umanong nawalan ito ng malay at nalunod.

Nakagawian na umano ng lalaking ito na sa pagitan ng alas-4:00 at ng alas-5:00 ng madaling araw ang magpastol ng baka o maghanap ng gulay.

Kumbinsido naman ang pamilya na walang foul play sa pagkamatay ng biktima.##

- Darwin Tapayan, Energy FM Kalibo

11-ANYOS NA BATANG BABAE TINANGKANG PAGSAMANTALAHAN NG ISANG TRICYCLE DRIVER

NAGREKLAMO SA kapulisan ng Kalibo ang isang 11-anyos na bata kasama ang kanyang nanay makaraang tangka siyang pagsamantalahan ng isang tricycle driver.

Sa eksklusibong panayam ng Energy FM Kalibo sa ina ng bata, sumakay umano sa nasabing tricycle ang Grade 6 student papauwi sa kanilang bahay mula sa paaralan.

Kalaunan may sumakay rin umano na dalawa pang lalaki sa parehong tricycle at ang mga ito ang unang ibinaba sa plaza gayoong malapit lang naman umano ang kanilang bahay.

Inihinto umano ng driver ang tricycle sa wala gaanong bahay na kalsada at inalok umano niya ng juice ang bata. Habang niyaya na sumunod sa kanya.

Natakot umano ang batang babae lalo pa nang makita niya na may kutsilyo na nakasukbit sa baywang ang tricycle driver. Dali-dali umanong kumaripas ng takbo ang estudyante.

Nang makalayo ay sumakay umano ng panibagong tricycle para makauwi at kinakabahan at umiiyak na nagsumbong sa ina. Sa pagkabahala ng ina ay nagsumbong ito sa kapulisan.

Wala umanong natatandaang plate o body number ng tricycle ang bata. Pero nakamask umano ito. Itim at puti umano ang kulay ng nasabing sasakyan.

Nagsasagawa na ng imbestigasyon ang traffic section at Women and Children Protection Desk ng Kalibo PNP hinggil sa nasabing kaso.##

- Darwin Tapayan, Energy FM Kalibo

IRRIGATION SYSTEM NG NIA-AKLAN ANIM NA BUWANG ISASARA

ISASARA NG National Irrigation Authority (NIA) - Aklan ang irrigation system sa Aklan sa loob umano ng anim na buwan simula Oktobre.

Ito ang pahayag ni Lorena Sioco, NIA Acting Division Manager sa pagdinig ng Committee on Agriculture sa Sanggunian.

Isa ang NIA sa mga ahensiya ng gobyerno na pinatawag ng Sanggunian para sa pagbusisi sa walang tigil na pagtaas mga presyo ng bigas sa Aklan.

Paliwanag ni Sioco, ang total closure ng East at West irrigation system ay para bigyang-daan ang rehabilitasyon ng mga irrigation canal at ang paggawa ng dam.

Aniya sa kanilang mga inspeksyon sa mga kanal halos kalahati nalang ng tubig ang pumapasok mula sa Aklan river at hindi na nakakarating sa dulo.

Dulot umano ito ng pagbaba ng river bed ng ilog. Maliban rito, may mga bumabara pang mga basura sa mga kanal.

Aniya bagaman ang pagsasara ay makakaapekto sa produksiyon ng palay sa probinsiya pansamantala lamang ito at kapalit naman ay sagana at maayos na patubig.

Dagdag pa niya, ang panahon ng Oktobre at mga susunod na buwan ay panahon naman ng tag-ulan.

Nakipag-ugnayan na umano sila sa mga magsasasaka na umaasa sa patubig ng NIA at kumporme naman umano sila sa hakbang na ito.##

- Darwin Tapayan, Energy FM Kalibo

BJMP AKLAN DISTRICT JAIL ININSPEKSYON NG PDEA; ILANG INMATES ISINAILALIM SA DRUG TEST

ININSPEKSYON NG mga tauhan ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) ang Aklan district jail ng Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Ginalugad ng PDEA ang ward ng mga lalaking inmates at ward ng mga babaeng inmates. Negatibo sa droga ang resulta ng kanilang random inspection.

Ayon kay JSInsp. Denver Beltran, ang inspeksyon na ito ay bahagi ng "Oplan Linis Piitan" ng PDEA, BJMP, at mga kapulisan. Layunin umano nito na madeklara bilang drug free ang district jail.

Isinailalim rin sa drug test ang ilang inmates lalo na ang nag-file ng plea bargaining. Ayon kay SInsp. Beltran nasa 80 porsyento ng mga inmates sa BJMP-Aklan ay sangkot sa iligal na droga.

Kasalukuyang nakakulong ngayon sa district jail ang 439 kalalakihan at 47 mga kababaehan. Sa ngayong, nasa 116 na inmates ang nasa proseso ng plea bargaining program ng Department of Justice.##

- Darwin Tapayan, Energy FM Kalibo
photos by Archie Hilario, Energy FM Kalibo

GOBYERNO NG AKLAN UUTANG NG MAHIGIT PHP1B SA BANGKO KASUNOD NG BORACAY CLOSURE

Uutang ng mahigit isang bilyong piso ang pamahalaang lokal ng Aklan sa bangko kasunod ng pagsasara ng Isla ng Boracay.

Nilagdaan ni Gov. Joeben Miraflores ang kasunduan kasama ang mga opisyal ng Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) para sa loan facility na Php 1,053,000,000.

Ang gobyerno probinsiyal ay may initial availment na kabuuang Php 153,000,000 na gagamitin umano sa iba-ibang proyekto at gastusin ng gobyerno:

* purchase of construction equipment:
• 1 tractor head - Php 7 M
• 1 fuel truck - Php 5.5 M
• 1 14-footer stake truck - Php 2.5 M
• 1 backhoe hydraulic breaker - Php 2 M
* rehabilitation of bulldozer - Php 7 M
* establishment of oxygen generating plant - Php 35 M
* improvement of old three storey building of DRSTMH - Php 16 M
* purchase of medical waste decomposer - Php 25 M
* back to back loan (bridge financing) - Php 53 M.

Paliwanag ng gobyerno probinsiyal ang hakbang na ito ay kasunod ng labis na pagbaba ng revenue ng probinsiya na gagamitin sana sa taong 2018.

Kampante ang gobyerno na mababayaran ang utang base sa napagkasunduan.##

- Darwin Tapayan, Energy FM Kalibo