Saturday, November 24, 2012

Promo Week #1 Winners!! - MBC Pamaskong Milyones 2012 Promo

MBC Pamaskong Milyones 2012 Promo
Promo Week #1 (Nov. 24, 2012 Draw)

Promo Week #1 Winners:
  1. Inerose Villareal (Union, Nabas)
  2. Genevive Bindolo (Brgy. Balabag)
  3. Edwin Pelayo (Brgy. Manoc-Manoc)
Congratulations to the winners! Prizes may be claimed beginning Monday afternoon (Nov. 26, 2012).

*Non-winning entries qualify for the grand draw on January 26, 2012.

Promo Week #1 Winners!!! (Ginebra San Miguel Bagong Taon, Bagong Milyon 2012 Promo)

Ginebra San Miguel Bagong Taon, Bagong Milyon 2012 Promo
Promo Week #1 (Nov. 24, 2012 Draw)

93.5 Easy Rock Draw Winners:
  1. Alvin Andrade (Brgy. Balabag)
  2. Severina F. Andrade (Union, Nabas)
  3. Ma. Elena Quinto (Brgy. Balabag)
91.1 Yes FM Draw Winners
  1. Edison Ayco (Nabaoy, Malay)
  2. Petra L. Nabor (Brgy. Yapak)
  3. Elvie Pelayo (Brgy. Manoc-Manoc)
Congratulations to the winners! Prizes may be claimed beginning Monday afternoon (Nov. 26, 2012).

*Non-winning entries qualify for the grand draw on January 26, 2012.

Fake goods and Intellectual property rights in Boracay Island

By: Ver Esclamado 


Issues on consumer protection and intellectual property rights are cited concerning the proliferation of counterfeit apparels and accessories on the island.

It is anticipated that with the onslaught of holiday season, more counterfeit goods may be brought in.

From vendors to clothing and accessories stores, cheap goods notably the sunglasses were observed being sold rampant and can be bought at the price of P100 which some buyers can haggle for a much lower price.

Business could be brisk however the major trade off seen are the product quality and the possible infringement of intellectual property rights (IPR) which is reserved to the respective brand owners.

Fake sunglasses sold were observed not to last for a month as the quality of plastic used to manufacture were less durable and the metal parts are highly corrosive.  The low quality likely does not reflect the brand that these counterfeit goods carry or try to project.

As Boracay Island is quickly becoming a world-class destination, concerns on product quality and the IPR may cast negative picture on the island’s status.  Being a global player, Boracay Island is expected to carry out fair trade practices and present itself not as a dumping site for cheap imitation goods.

Tribes in Boracay wishes for a traditional Ati-atihan Celebration


The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) of the Holy Rosary Parish Church in Boracay did not approve the Municipal Council Office or MTO’s proposition of changing the schedule of the Ati-atihan celebration in the island.

But the church and the tribes are still open to any assistance from the local government of Malay.

According to PPC President Dionesio “Jony” Salme, they will be glad of any assistance and or contributions that the LGU will be extending to them for the ati-atihan to be more colorful and festive.

However, the tribes has expressed that they would want the celebration to remain simple, traditional, and devotional, and not the kind of “festival” that the LGU is aiming for.

Nonetheless, Salme added, the LGU is still welcome to help, especially that the local government would only want a better celebration.

In line with this, the tribes who join in annually suggested that instead of having days of celebration, why not help them with their costumes and prizes.

The LGU has previously planned to ask the church to transfer the ati-atihan schedule for a further preparation.

That instead of holding it for a day, it would be celebrated for 3 to 5 days and different activities will be conducted.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Employees of LGU-Malay receives 13th month pay


The 13th month pay for the employees of the Local Government of Malay has already been handed.

However the Productivity Enhancement Incentives (PEI) isn’t clear until now.
This is what Dinky Maagma, Malay Municipal Human Resources Officer has said during an interview.

According to her, the 13th month pay of the regular and casual employees of LGU-Malay has already been given. She said benefits such as this can be received by employees before Christmas, but not as early or before the 15th of November.

Maagma also clarified that all Job Orders of the LGU, such as the Boracay Life Guard and Malay Auxiliary Police (MAP) had not received a 13th month pay since this is only for the regular and casual employees.

Maagma added that the Chief Executive has no order yet when it comes to the individual employees’ Productivity Enhancement Incentives (PEI).

They also don’t have any idea of how much is allocated for the PEI.

Meanwhile, as of this time, the topic of how much fund will be given for the PEI, is still being discussed at the deliberation of the Municipal Council of Malay.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

SOCIAL WELFARE WEEK, CELEBRATED iN MALAY fROM tHE 19TH tO tHE 23RD oF NOVEMBER

By: Rodel J. Abalus


Social Welfare Week is being celebrated in Malay from the 19th until the 23rd of November, 2012.

In an interview with Magdalena Prado, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer of Malay, she said that this is the 2nd year that the celebration is being held, adding that it is not held yearly but that it falls on the month of November.

This year’s celebration has a theme which translates to: “Oneness, Getting Together, and Extension of Helping Hand Continuously,” and is being held at the Malay Town Proper.

Ball games such as basketball and volleyball for boys and girls, as well as the local games “dama” and “sungka” are lined-up for the celebration participated upon by Senior Citizens, Solo Parents, and 8 teams from the Out of School Youths Sectors.

On the other hand, the People with Disability Sector will be participating in the form of exhibition games. Parlor games were also prepared for the Children Sector.

Aside from the games, a leadership seminar for the Out of School Youths was also scheduled on November 20, and an Orientation for Solo Parents on the Republic Act 8972 otherwise known as “Solo Parent Welfare Act” for Solo Parents with children who are 18 years old and below was scheduled on November 21.

The culmination of the celebration will be on the night of November 23, wherein there will be Awarding of prizes for the game winners, followed by a Variety Show entitled “Bida Malaynon” to be participated by different sectors. The special guests will be the Mayor of Malay, Mayor John Yap and his spouse.

Towards the end of the interview, the MSWD Officer expressed her gratitude to all who participated and made contributions to the event, and for the support the MSWD has been receiving.


DTI: Be aware of your food product’s safety


This coming Christmas goods are sure to be more expensive and the idea of thrift and resourcefulness will be actively practiced.

Some consumers will prefer affordability than quality and might not question the product, and for instance may end up buying “botcha” or double dead meat, or “expired” goods.

Department of Trade and Industry Aklan Director, Diosdado Cadena, in an interview said, although they have a different scope of responsibility, they are aware and or is coordinating with other sectors such as the departments of Agriculture which covers the National Meat Inspection Service or NMIS, and Food and Drug Authority among others.

And they have been alert on monitoring and have not found any problems in Aklan so far, particularly in Kalibo.

Director Cadena explained that the DTI only covers the Processes food products - such the noche buena items like hams- its supply and prices.

The determination of safety when it comes to raw meats is under the expertise and mandate of the NMIS which in turn is under the .Department of Agriculture.

Cadena advices the consumers to be vigilant enough and be aware of the safety of the products they are purchasing.

And since, he admitted, that determining if the meat is “double dead” is difficult and is the work of experts, knowing the manufacturer and or supplier will help, especially now that home-made products are popular and backyard slaughterhouses are multiplying.

He added that the expiry or best before dates must also be checked and with meats, if possible choose those which had been marked or branded by authorities as safe for consumption.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

QUESTION oN tHE DIRTY WATER tHAT FLOWS aT tHE fRONT BEACH ANSWERED bY tHE BIWCI


The question of a concerned citizen on the dirty water that flows at the front beach was answered by the Boracay Island Water Company Incorporated (BIWCI).

The Chief Operating Officer of BIWCI, Ben Mañosca had confirmed that the flowing foul smelling water originates from the drainage near a big hotel at the front beach between Station 2 and 3. He confirmed this during the Public Consultation for the proposed environmental development for Boracay Island held by TIEZA and BIWCI on Thursday, November 15.

According to Mañosca, the water that flows at the area was unpleasant since there are still establishments and residential buildings which are not yet connected to the sewer of the island but are discharging dirty water on the drainage straight to the sea.

However, Mañosca gave assurance that this would be included in the areas for rehabilitation when the Phase 1 of the drainage system for Boracay will be constructed.

He had formerly said that the drainage is only for rain water and the sewer is for waste water.

LGU-Malay’s 2013 budget spiked up to 305 million pesos


LGU-Malay’s Annual Budget for 2013 is 25 million peso higher compared to that of 2012.

For this year, 2012, Malay has 280 million peso budget that funded the town’s projects, programs and other expenditures, including the island of Boracay.

In the coming 2013 the government will be having 305 million pesos to work the municipality out.

For this reason, the Municipal Council of Malay had today, conducted a Budget Hearing for planning and allocation of the mentioned fund.

The SB had called upon LGU-Malay’s department heads for the hearing to decide how much fund each department will need, which will then serve as their budget for the whole year.

It is under the SB Malay’s mandate to review the funds and allocations before it will be approved by the Chief Executive.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

CATICLAN AIRPORT NAMED aFTER GODOFREDO RAMOS bY PRESIDENT BENIGNO AQUINO III


On a second instance, it was confirmed by the Malacañang Palace that the Caticlan Airport is to be named “Godofredo P. Ramos Airport.”

This is based on the proclamation made by the Palace and on Proclamation No. 500 Series of 2012 on November 7, naming the airport in behalf of the “Father of Aklan,” Godofredo P. Ramos.

It was stated on the Presidential Proclamation, confirmed by President Benigno Aquino III, that the dedication of Ramos, and his service to the country which helped in Aklan’s progress are the reasons in naming the Caticlan Airport  as “Godofredo P. Ramos Airport.”

Aside from the President, the proclamation was also confirmed by Executive Secretary, Paquito N. Ochoa.

The proclamation was signed on November 7, one day before the 101st anniversary of the birthday of Ramos.

On the other hand, the name of the airport was changed by leaders from a private company and had named it Boracay Airport for the reason that the airport would be easier to market to tourists.

It can be recalled that the airport was first proclaimed by the former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to be named after Ramos.


Akelco, to increase rates this November


The public should expect an increase in electric charges this November.

This is because Akelco will be adding .28 centavos in their tariff.

Rency Oczon, Akleco Public Information Officer confirmed the .28 centavos increase per kilowatt hour.

Oczon explained that this increase is a result of the also moving prices of energy that they are purchasing, particularly from the Wholesale Electricity Spot market or WESM.

If recalled, in September, the rate was lowered down for more than 1.00 peso per kilowatt hour.

However, in the two consecutive months where the rates started to spike again, starting in October with more than .60 centavos increase, plus this month’s increase of .28 centavos, thus making it to just meet with the September cut.

In line with this, Oczon reminded the consumers to be responsible and wise enough with electricity usage, more so that Christmas is coming, a time where there will be a spike in consume. 

Monday, November 19, 2012

TIEZA-RO OFFICE tO bE OPENED iN BORACAY iS MEANT fOR BIWCI's OPERATION


The Office of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority-Regulatory Office (TIEZA-RO) to be opened in Boracay is only for the operation of the BIWCI (Boracay Island Water Company Incorporated).

This was declared by Atty. Marites Alvarez, Officer-In-Charge of TIEZA-RO in the island.

According to Alvarez, the Office to be opened will monitor the operation of BIWCI on water services and sewerage system to ensure that consumers and the environment are protected.

Likewise, this is to guarantee that TIEZA-RO would have a good working relationship in Boracay and the BIWCI would not commit abuses.

TIEZA-RO now would want to hire a Quality and Customer Service Officer who would be from the island or an Aklanon so that it would be easy even for an ordinary citizen to reach when voicing grievances or complaints. Also, the officer to be hired would serve as the person who would let TIEZA –RO know of problems encountered by BIWCI.

BTAC, appeared like a motorcycle shop


The office of Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) looked like a motorcycle store.
This is because, last night, many have been apprehended for violating the ordinance and traffic laws being implemented.

But it seems that this doesn't bother some of the motorists at all, because in the past week many has also been impounded, however their operation still continues despite the knowledge of their discrepancies.

In last night’s record, November 18, there are 18 motorcycles in the custody of the Boracay Police, while there are about 9 drivers’ license at hand.

The seizure was conducted through “Check Points” which was led by Police Inspector Kennan Ruiz.

The Drivers’ Licenses will be turned over to the Land Transportation Office or LTO, while the vehicles will be temporarily at BTAC’s custody.

The seized units without Permit to Transport (PTO) will be shipped, together with those which were formerly apprehended, to mainland Malay.

Aiming that only the registered motorcycle units will be left in the island, a moratorium or the Office of the Mayor has issued an Executive Order to stop the issuance of PTO.