DTI clears 2 Kalibo firms of overpricing

Two establishments here have been cleared of alleged overpricing after super typhoon “Yolanda.”

They were able to justify their prices, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

DTI provincial director Diosdado Cadena said they have received complaints about overpricing by a generator set dealer and a water refilling station here.

The DTI has imposed a Visayas-wide prize freeze following the onslaught of the super typhoon on November 8.

“We had conducted an investigation” using the receipts given to the complainants as evidence, Cadena said.

“We found out that their pricing was justifiable,” said the DTI provincial director.

Cadena said the generation set dealer explained that he bought his units for a high prize already.

In the case of the water refilling station, the establishment said their water distribution was held for a limited time, he said./

PAL Express Plane suffered glitch at the Kalibo International Airport

Another plane, this time the Philippine Airline (PAL) Express suffered a glitch from the Kalibo International Airport Thursday night.

Initial report from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP-Kalibo) cited that the plane came from Metro Manila to KIA. It was about to taxi its way to the departure area when the pilot decided to stop the plane at the middle of the runway.

CAAP officials said the front wheel of the plane stocked up which prompted the pilot to call for an emergency. CAAP authorities then assisted the plane as it taxis its way to the departure area.

Problems on hydraulics at the front steering wheel of the Flight Number 2P-975 is being eyed as the possible source of the glitch. The plane has 186 passengers.

Passengers reported that they waited for 45 minutes before they were allowed to depart on board the plane. CAAP officials continue to investigate the incident.

Last December 21, a Zest Air Plane bound for South Korea overshot at the runway of the KIA.

FAO extends assistance to Aklan farmers

The Food and Agriculture Office (FAO) of the United Nations recently extended assistance to the farmers in the province affected by typhoon "Yolanda".

The Aklan province has estimated P2.8 billion worth of both agriculture and infrastructure damaged by the super typhoon in November.

Because of this, the FAO extended 800 bags of certified seeds and 800 more bags of urea as fertilizers to the province. The said agricultural inputs were distributed to the 17 towns of Aklan.

The assistance is under the "Planting the Seeds of Recovery" Program of the FAO in coordination with the Department of Agriculture.

Local agriculture officials urged farmers to cooperate with their respective agriculture technicians to avail of the said seeds.

No imminent power rate hike in Aklan -- AKELCO

The Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) assured the public that there will be no price adjustments not only this Christmas season but also until the forthcoming Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival in January 2014.

Engr. Joel Martinez, assistant manager for AKELCO engineering department, said that they received a lot of queries recently as other power corporations had announced its increased price adjustments.

"We had just received the normal power supply from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and we do not intend to increase prices in the coming months," said Martinez.

The AKELCO however still urges energy conservation as the NGCP reportedly offers limited amount of electricity. This is because several independent power producers had shut down this year.

The AKELCO also said that it may request for power adjustments in the near future depending on the demand.

Korean star helps build homes for Yolanda victims in Aklan

A Korean star personally came to Aklan over the weekend to show support for the victims of super typhoon 'Yolanda.'

Jocelyn Park, a student volunteer of Sun Moon University in South Korea, said that Lim Dae Ho who starred in Jumong, a Korean telenovela watched by Filipinos in GMA show, came here last weekend.

"Ho was here together with university officials and 40 Korean student volunteers to help build five houses in Barangay Mambog, Banga, Aklan over the weekend," said Park.

Park is a resident of Mambog and studies a Korean language at the said university. Her schoolmates, upon knowing what happened to her hometown, decided to embark on a mission to build houses damaged by the typhoon.

The students contributed their allowances and used the amount to purchase housing materials. All of them also helped in the construction of the houses.(

BIR: Statement of Loss deadline today

Business establishments and employees have only until today to file for their Statements of Loss relative to super typhoon “Yolanda,” according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The Tax Code states that the Statement of Loss must be filed 45 days after the disaster struck.

Amounts stated in the Statement of Loss will be deducted from the establishments’ and workers’ income tax.

Prior to that, officials of the BIR will verify the statement.

In a statement, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said businessmen should fulfill several requirements needed for their claims.

But losses with insurance are not considered tax-deductible.

For establishments that have been looted during the typhoon, their owners should provide a copy of the police blotter report about the incident to the BIR.

Zest Air Chartered Flight to South Korea Overshoots Aklan Airport Runway

A Zest Air chartered plane flight bound to South Korea had overshot the runway of the Kalibo International Airport Thursday afternoon.

In an information provided to the local media, the incident happened around 3:45 PM as the plane was about to take off the runway. At least 180 passengers were onboard, majority of them were South Koreans.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) immediately conducted an investigation on the said incident. CAAP officials met with the plane pilots to discuss the incident.

Both CAAP and plane personnel also discussed whether to pursue the plane flight anytime tonight.

During the incident, operation of the KIA continued as there were no scheduled flights from other domestic and international destination plying the airport.

The plane that overshot the runway was brought to its parking bay after an hour, the CAAP said.

Freak fire kills boy in Libacao

A two-year-old boy, the only son of a couple in Brgy. Guadalupe, Libacao town, died after accidentally getting burned in their house on Saturday evening.

John Ervin Asiong succumbed to severe burns on Tuesday.

His father Erwin, a habal-habal (motorcycle) driver, and mother Shevelyn got burned, too, but survived, said Vivian Zolina, the barangay captain.

Many residents of their barangay, including the Asiongs, were using kerosene lamps or candles due to the province-wide blackout, Zolina said.

Erwin lit a lamp, apparently forgetting that he was stacking up gasoline in his house for his motorcycle, said Zolina, also the victims’ relative and neighbor.

Gasoline stocked nearby caught fire, accidentally burning the family, she said. Their house did not catch fire, she added.

The couple was rushed to a hospital in this capital town, but John Ervin, who sustained more burns, was taken to the St. Gabriel Medical Center.

The couple survived but their son expired three days later, according to Zolina.

“We are asking for financial assistance for the family, who cannot afford their hospital fees,” the barangay captain said.

The cost of their hospital bill and medicines has reached more than P300,000, she said.

“The couple was still in the hospital recuperating,” said Zolina./

DTI warns store selling substandard christmas decors

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Aklan) has warned local businessmen here to be investigated if they found selling Christmas decors with no standard safety certificates.

Diosdado Cadena, DTI provincial director, said Tuesday that all stores selling Christmas decors should adhere to the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) Product Certification Scheme.

"Aside from the revocation of permit of the violators, they will also be penalized ranging from P100,000-P150,000," Cadena said.

Each Christmas decor being sold in the stores should have at least authentic Philippine Standards License and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) markings.

To date, the DTI-Aklan continuously monitors business establishments selling Christmas decorations especially Christmas lights.

Panay rehab to start next week- Roxas

The rehabilitation of Panay island damaged by typhoon "Yolanda" is expected to start next week, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas has said.

Roxas was in Kalibo on Tuesday together with Secretaries Corazon Soliman of social welfare and Voltaire Gazmin of defense.

While here, the officials met with the local chief executives of both Aklan and Antique to discuss the damages and how will the government plan to respond.

Roxas said that both Aklan and Antique shared their sentiments that they need both shelters and livelihood to recover from the onslaught of the strong typhoon.

"The DSWD are now finalizing the lists of those affected residents in Panay.We hope the DSWD could present the final lists to the cabinet meeting next week for approval. The government plans to allocate P130 billion for the rehabilitation plan," said Roxas.

"As soon as the final lists of those affected residents is ready, we will be giving the lists of those victims who suffered partial and total house damages to the Department of Public Works and Highways as they will be in charge of the reconstruction phase," said Roxas.

The DPWH will evaluate if the affected residents would be given a kit which contained housing construction materials or a housing project is needed.

"If everything goes to what is planned we expect to deliver the construction materials for the victims next week," said Roxas.

Super' Yolanda failed to dampen Aklan's campaign against HIV-AIDS

Super typhoon 'Yolanda' failed to dampen the spirit of Aklanons as they persist to campaign for zero target of HIV-AIDS cases and stigma in the province.

This as a successful holding of the first Miss World AIDS Day for gays was held at the NVC Gym Sunday night.

At least 15 finalists joined the pageant and the crown was gathered by Gretchen Tan representing Malay, Aklan.

Robby Bastareche, newly elected president of the Butterfly Brigade and organizer of the pageant, said that they had planned for the said activity since last year.

"At first we thought of cancelling the pageant due to the typhoon 'Yolanda' but we decided to push for it as we consider the campaign for the zero target on HIV-AIDS by 2015 is also urgent.

"We have chosen the gay pageant because records have shown that homosexuals and transgenders are most vulnerable in the said disease," said Bastareche.

The pageant was supported by the Department of Education and the Provincial Health Office (PHO). The PHO said that since 1980's, the province had registered 36 cases eight of them already died due to the said disease.

Part of the activity was a candle lighting ceremony to remember those persons who died of HIV-AIDS.

Gay group organizes Miss World AIDS Day

A gay group calling themselves as "Butterfly Brigade" has organized the first Miss World AIDS Day (WAD) pageant in the country to spread information against HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) in the province.

Robbie Bastareche, newly elected president of the Butterfly Brigade, said the talent competition was successfully held at the Pastrana Park here November 28. The competition slated were opened to the public for free.

"At least 15 finalists are joining the pageant and the pageant night will be held on December 1 at the NVC gym," said Bastareche, who announced the worldwide celebration of World AIDS Day on December 1.

During the pageant, the organizers asked P15 for the entrance fee with a red ribbon, considered as the symbol of hope for those afflicted with the disease.

"The entrance fee will cover our program against HIV AIDS in the province for the year 2014," said Bastareche.

Prior to the pageant, the organizers brought the finalists to the different schools in the province to campaign for HIV AIDS prevention.

According to the Aklan AIDS Council, the province had already registered 36 cases, eight of them already died.

Aklan SP approves P1.1-B budget for 2014

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan has formally approved the proposed P1.1 billion-budget for the province for the year 2014.

The approval of the budget may have been done earlier but the marathon hearing had been delayed due to the onslaught of typhoon "Yolanda" in the province.

Priorities of the budget are on job generation, agriculture, education and improved health care.

Despite the approval, some minor provisions are still being worked out in the provincial board.

The SP hopes to end the remaining public hearings before Christmas vacation.

Agriculture industry still alive in Western Visayas - DA

The Department of Agriculture (DA) still considers the agriculture industry in Western Visayas as alive and kicking despite the devastation of super typhoon "Yolanda" here recently.

DA regional director Larry Nacionales said that the typhoon brought around P3.16-billion damage on both agriculture facilities and crops in the region.

"It's still good to know that 95 percent of our rice products have been harvested before the typhoon. We only lost around 17 metric tons of rice which are recoverable," Nacionales said.

He said that because of the devastation brought by the typhoon, he hopes that some farmers now would become open minded and learn how to improve their farming methods.

Nacionales was here Sunday together with DA Secretary Proceso Alcala to assess the agricultural impact in the region.

According to the National Food Authority which is an attached agency of the DA, the region still has 77 days of supply of rice enough for the coming Yuletide season and the coming festivals in the region.

"We expect another set of harvests this December. Our only concern is that we may lack milling requirements because several agricultural areas in the region does not yet have power. But we are doing everything to address this," Nacionales said.

The DA also reported that there is a sufficient supply of chicken and meat in the region. However, the DA expects that prices of commodities would still slightly increase due to the high demand during Christmas.

Sources from the DA said that they are planning to hold dialogue in the provinces in the region together with the Department of Trade and Industry, poultry producers, supermarkets and wet vendors market associations to ensure "regulated" prices of agricultural commodities for Christmas.

NHA to support housing concerns in Panay

The National Housing Authority (NHA) is supporting the recovery of the residents of Panay Island who have been affected by typhoon 'Yolanda'.

Kalibo Mayor William Lachica said a team from the NHA came to his office Sunday and explained to him that they are giving housing assistance to the victims.

"They told me that they are willing to provide P5,000 worth of housing materials to those residents whose houses have been partially damaged. They still have to allocate funds for those houses that have been totally destroyed," said Lachica.

Because of this, Lachica said he is planning to ask the municipal council of Kalibo for an urgent need to authorize him to sign the memorandum of agreement with the NHA. The document is one of the requirements for the residents of Kalibo to avail of the housing benefits.

"Once the council has been given me the authority, I will then sign the MOA and will immediately send it to them in their Manila Office," said Lachica.

Aside from the town of Kalibo, the NHA team also had visited certain municipalities and cities in Iloilo, Antique and Capiz to provide similar assistance to the residents.

Aklan government employees urged to abide by fiscal retrenchment policy

The Aklan provincial government is currently implementing a fiscal retrenchment policy in order to allocate limited funds for the repair of damaged facilities devastated by typhoon Yolanda.

Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores said that the province had incurred P1.4 billion damage thus his issuance of Memorandum Order no. 2013-256.

"It has, therefore, strengthened our resolve to more strictly implement our fiscal retrenchment policy, allocating our resources to the repair of these damaged facilities and other typhoon rehabilitation measures," said Miraflores.

Because of this, all seminar and trainings to be conducted by the provincial departments and offices which involve the use of provincial government funds are to be deferred.

Miraflores said that this will remain until the province has fully recovered from the calamity.

The Aklan governor declared the memorandum order under strict compliance.

Filipino volunteers air drop relief goods in small islands in Panay

Filipino volunteers composed of mountaineers and civic minded groups helped in the distribution of relief goods in the island of Panay affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

Thomas Leonor, team leader said that they first visited small islands in Antique, including Caluya Island through the air drop operation.

"We are thankful that some volunteers had allowed us to use the chopper to air drop the relief goods to areas that were not yet reached by the relief goods provisions. We only need to pay P80,000 worth of fuel per hour for the operation of chopper," Leonor said.

Aside from the airdrop operation, mountaineers had to also climb the hinterlands in Libacao, Aklan just to reach out to the victims.

"We are planning to distribute relief goods to different communities in Panay and hoping we could make a difference," said Leonor.

Leonor gained prominence few years ago through his advocacy of walking long kilometers to gather donations for a cause.

Gov. Miraflores phones President Aquino to ask for help

Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores on Monday said he made a phone call to President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday to seek relief for his province likewise devastated by super typhoon "Yolanda".

Miraflores said aside from the needed relief goods he also asked President Aquino to speed up restoration of electricity in the province.

As of press time, only Ibajay town and Boracay Island with the several business establishments and government agencies in Kalibo have electric power. Power has yet to be restored in other areas.

"The President said he is willing to support the needed relief of Aklanons," Miraflores said.

Meanwhile, Chito Peralta, general manager of the Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) said that they are restoring electricity lines in the province in a gradual manner.

"We have to balance the distribution of electricity loads in the province for safety reasons while awaiting connection lines from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)," Peralta said, adding that AKELCO personnel are acting double time to restore electricity.

Currently, the AKELCO relies on the 2.5 megawatt of the Global Business Power Corporation both in Nabas and New Washington for power supply.

Politics hampers relief aid?

Politics allegedly has its hands on the distribution of relief goods to thousands of victims of super typhoon “Yolanda” in Aklan.

Some of the victims told said that their barangay officials refused to accommodate them and list them as beneficiaries because they are “not [their] political allies.”

Because of this, they turned to the offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to report their plight.

But DSWD officials advised them to return to their respective barangays, said the victims who refused to be identified. “We do not have a choice but to wait,” one of them said.

Some of the victims in far-flung areas of the province were also unable to receive relief goods because they are far from distribution centers.

They said barangay officials reported to their municipal governments only the damage they saw in villages near the town proper and did not reach out to the hinterlands to provide the necessary aid.

Members of the media in the province are also reeling from the effects of “Yolanda.”

More than 30 of them have lost their homes. One of them is Arnel Vicente of Todo Radyo Informer. Vicente hopes that they could also be given relief goods./

Electric coops from all over the country to speed up electricity distribution

Several electric power cooperatives from all over the country have arrived in Aklan hoping to return electricity in the typhoon-ravaged province.
Chito Peralta, general manager of the Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO), said that electric cooperative personnel coming from the provinces of Batangas 1 and 2; Quezon 2; Laguna 1; Zambales 1 & 2 are already in the province to restore transmission and distribution lines.
"We are also expecting the arrival of personnel from the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative next week. They will stay here as long as there's a need," Peralta said.
They came here under the orders of Malacanang, Department of Energy and the National Electrification Administration (NEA).
Because of this, the AKELO hopes to start the resumption of electricity in the town of Kalibo this weekend.
Earlier report said that typhoon "Yolanda" destroyed 70 percent of the over all electric power poles, wires and other facilities in the province.

Prize freeze now activated in Aklan

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is implementing a price freeze order on basic commodities in the province as residents here are reeling from the effects of recent super typhoon 'Yolanda.'

Diosdado Cadena, provincial DTI director, said Thursday that businessmen and traders found increasing their prices outside the standard retail price will face sanctions.

"Based on the monitoring we conducted, some traders have increased prices but they could not be sanctioned because price freeze is only limited to basic commodities. It is now up to consumers whether to patronize certain overpriced goods or not," Cadena said.

For complaints on gasoline and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), residents can file their concerns with their respective local government units ((LGUs). The LGUs will then forward the complaint to the Department of Energy.

Reports said that a gasoline station in Panay Island is charging its customers to as much as P80 per liter.

Partial Damage Assessment Report

AKELCO hopes to restore electricity in Aklan before Christmas

The Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) hopes to restore electricity in the province before Christmas or within the next 45 days.

Chito Peralta, general manager of AKELCO, said that typhoon Yolanda toppled electricity distribution lines to as much as 70 percent in the entire province.

Aside from the province, AKELCO also distributes power to Pandan and Libertad towns in Antique and a barangay in Capiz.

"We are also doing our best to energize major areas in Kalibo by November 19. We also hope that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) will fast track its effort in restoring lines from Iloilo and Negros", Peralta said.

The major areas include the Kalibo International Airport, Metro Kalibo Water District, Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital and neighboring communities.

To augment the electricity, the AKELCO plans to utilize the diesel plant of the Global Business Power Corporation (GBPC) in Barangay Mabilo, New Washington.

Peralta said that the GBPC hopes to power up electricity in the priority areas while awaiting for the connection of the distribution lines from the NGCP.

Yolanda's damage to Aklan's agriculture reaches P20M

The amount of damage caused by super typhoon "Yolanda" to agriculture in Aklan has surpassed the P20-million mark, according to initial reports of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

As of Tuesday morning, data gathered by the different municipal agriculturists in the province show that the damage has already reached P20,023,555. This figure is expected to increase as other towns have yet to submit their reports to the PDRRMC.

The town of Ibajay bore the most agricultural damage which registered at P11.762 million, followed by Kalibo with P5.261 million.

Damage to infrastructure reached P41,300 million while those to public buildings stood at P980,000.

Currently, there are no classes from the primary to tertiary levels. Classes are expected to resume on Nov. 18.

Aklan declared under state of calamity

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has now declared Aklan under a state of calamity following the onslaught of typhoon "Yolanda".

Data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRMMO) said that at least seven persons were reported dead in Aklan.

PDRMMO officials also reported that at least P5 million worth of crops were damaged in the province while in Kalibo alone, P2 million worth of infrastructure were likewise damaged.

"We are still continuously conducting assessment on the damages brought by the typhoon," said Galo Ibardolasa of the PDRRMO.

Typhoon Yolanda is considered by international experts as the strongest typhoon so far in the world.

Advisory:

Due to limited internet connection and power shortage posts this site will be resumed tonight (Philippine time). For those who would want to help, Aklan residents now badly needs construction and roofing materials to rebuild their homes.

Lezo

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Yolanda in Aklan1

Aklan placed under state of imminent danger due to 'Yolanda'

The province of Aklan has been placed under a state of imminent danger in order to prepare for the worse possible scenario as typhoon "Yolanda" is expected to hit the province Friday.

Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores said he has to issue the declaration even without the needed legislation in consonance with the chief executives of the local government units in the province.

As of this writing Thursday afternoon, a preemptive evacuation is being done in the coastal towns of New Washington, Tangalan, Kalibo, Numancia, Ibajay and Malay. Friday morning, a forced evacuation of remaining residents will be done.

"We are expecting this typhoon to be stronger than the typhoon 'Frank' in 2008 and we are targeting a zero casualty so we need the cooperation of everyone," Miraflores said.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) urged the local government units to immediately file initial assessment of damages at least six hours after the typhoon.

"We will be implementing a 'no report no support' policy here wherein a local government who fails to report initially will not be given relief and we will assume that such municipality is not harmed by the typhoon," PDRRMO officials said.