DPWH pays affected residents for road widening project

Posted July 3, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) urged that they pay affected residents for department’s road widening project.

This was Provincial Engineer's Office Planning Department Engineer Fritz Ruiz said associated with DPWH road widening project on highway of Calimbajan, Makato and Tamalagon, Tangalan, Aklan.

According to Ruiz, the government pays the properties of affected residents from the usual width of 20 meters supported by law.

Meanwhile, they are also monitoring the project as part of the preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015.

Ruiz also confirmed that they had also widening project proposals for other areas in the province of Aklan which include Altavas and Banga.

Translated by Gloria Villas

DTI Aklan, deals with continuous price hike with non-stop monitoring

Posted July 3, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Aklan has a non-stop monitoring to some market in the province.

It is because of ongoing increase of commodities such as garlic, rice, milk and other basic commodities.

According to DTI Aklan they conduct weekly price monitoring to determine if the public market inflates prices and to ensure strict enforcement of suggested retail price (SRP) to prevent fraud or invented price.

Stores that are overpricing their products also subject to penalties, DTI explained.

Consumers still suffer the price hike of the basic commodities.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture also made a three times a week monitoring to the prices of vegetables, poultry and pork and other agricultural products in the province.

Boracay Hospital, temporarily not to accept patients because they are under construction

Posted July 2, 2014

Written by Jay-Ar M. Arante

The Boracay Hospital or Don Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital, the under construction hospital in Boracay temporarily closes its door to patients.

This was confirmed by SB Member Pater Sacapaño yesterday during the SB session.

He added that it is totally closed since the first day of July to make the construction faster, as mandated by the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

With this, Sacapaño expressed concern for the patients to be brought to the hospital.

It was learned noted that the PHO is planning to put the patient in the Municipal Health Office (MHO) in Brgy. Balabag.

None the less, the said hospital also doubts that the MHO can accommodate patients because of its small area.

On the other hand, some of the councilors are willing to find a temporary place or room for patients but they said that the PHO is the one who pay for this.

However the configuration of Boracay Hospital is a project of the Provincial Health Office in collaboration with the Aklan Government and LGU Malay.

Meanwhile, based on the plan will also make this three floors, putting an elevator and also to be the equipment upgraded, and also to add some doctors and medical assistance to meet the needs of patients from the island of Boracay most especially the tourists.

MDRRMC Malay: All set for Disaster Consciousness month

Posted July 2, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

All activities are set for the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) which was started on Tuesday, July 1.

Office of Municipal Local Government Operations Chief Officer Mark Delos Reyes said Wednesday in his text message, “They have lined up several activities in union with the celebration of National Earthquake Day as well.”

Indeed, he added that Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) may set a convention about it.

He said there will be an earthquake drills in schools especially that they also have directives from the Department of Education (DepEd) and if possible they will also ask for assistance from MDRRMC.

Meanwhile, the NDCM observance this year is anchored on the theme “Kahandaan at Kaligtasan ng Pamayanan, Pundasyon ng Kaunlaran.”

Prior to the kick-off activity, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is in unison with this month-long celebration to enjoin public and raise awareness on disaster preparedness, response, mitigation and adaptation to reduce disaster risk.

Translated by Gloria Villas

DOT Boracay: Child sex tourism in Boracay is not rampant

Posted July 1, 2014

Written by Jay-Ar Arante

Department of Tourism (DOT) Boracay affirm that Child sex tourism in the island is not rampant.

This was according to DOT Boracay Officer-In-Charge, Artemio “Tim” Ticar.

Ticar said that they continued to develop the island of Boracay as a family-oriented destination for foreign and local tourist.

“There was an awareness campaign together with Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH) and the non-government organizations to eradicate child sex trafficking in the island.” He added.

Furthermore, Ticar further alleged that none of the inhabitants of Boracay are involved in sex trafficking apart from other foreign tourist who bring travel companion and said to be engaged in sex tourism.

At the moment, Boracay Tourist Police were having a sticker awareness campaign in public places and vehicles in Boracay as well as working with non-governmental organizations to provide information dissemination and prosecute individuals engaging in child sex tourism.

DOT also persist that if Boracay has this kind of issue, it will hamper the tourism industry in the province especially in the island as it is considered as one of the best beaches in the world.

Meanwhile, the leadership of LGU Malay is strictly monitoring Child sex tourism that it will not come into the island of Boracay.

Translated by Gloria Villas