Aklan SP Set to Approve Resolution on Blood Banking Facilities

Kalibo, Aklan. The three committees of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan is set to recommend on Wednesday, October 6, 2010, during the body’s 13th regular session, the approval of a resolution requesting Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez to include in the province’s development plan and annual budget appropriations next year the procurement of equipment and installation of facilities for the much needed blood banking facilities at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital.

Reviewed and evaluated by the Committee on Laws, Rules and Ordinances, Committee on Budget, Finance, Appropriations and Ways and Means, and the Committee on Health, the proposed resolution of SP Member Victor Manuel M. Garcia on the subject is set to be calendared during the next session on second reading, for debates and amendments bearing the three committees’ favorable recommendation.

For equipment alone, the smaller-capacity blood bank equipment will cost the province P3.8 million while the bigger capacity will cost about P4.9 million.

The standard equipment for the blood bank facilities are the brand new blood bank refrigerator, brand new plasma freezer, brand new portable automatic sealer, brand new pharmaceutical refrigerator, brand new blood collection mixer, brand new biomedical freezer and brand new refrigerated centrifuge.

Garcia’s resolution also calls for the hiring of qualified personnel to man the blood bank: a duly licensed physician as head and certified in Clinical Pathology or blood banking by the Philippine Society of Pathologists; certified in blood transfusion by the Philippine Society of Blood Transfusion and certified in Anatomic Pathology by PSP or in Hematology by the PHSBT.

The proposed blood bank will also require the services of four (4) medical technologists distributed in shift for 24 hours with at least 6 months on the job experience in blood banking service; one (1) designated and trained/qualified Donor Recruitment Officer; and one (1) designated qualified and trained senior medical technologist as Quality Assurance Officer.

As to space, the blood bank will require ideal space to conform with the Manual Standards of the Department of Health.

Garcia stressed that the need for blood banking or processing facilities in Aklan has already become so serious and urgent that the provincial government must immediately consider and implement.

Garcia was prompted to introduce this resolution in the light of the never-ending and critical problem of the lack of blood supply magnified by the outbreak of dengue in the Province of Aklan.

Aklan to Host Regional Confab pf Secretaries to the Sanggunians

KALIBO, Aklan. The Aklan League of Secretaries to the Sanggunians (AKLESSA) headed by Balete, Aklan SB Secretary Al de la Cruz is all set to host the Regional Assembly of Sanggunian Secretaries cum Seminar-Workshop all over Western Visayas at Boracay Holiday Resort, Malay, Aklan on October 28-30, 2010.

Expected to participate in the regional assembly is some 117 Secretaries of the Sangguniang Bayans all over the region, 16 Secretaries to the Sangguniang Panlungsods, and 6 Secretaries to the Sangguniang Panlalawigans. They altogether compose the Regional League of Secretaries to the Sanggunian in Region VI (RELEASES).

RELEASES is headed by Ms. Josel B. Faisan as its Regional President. Faisan is the Secretary to the Sanggunian of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Talisay City in Negros Occidental. Mr. Odon S. Bandiola, Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan, is the current Regional Vice President for Provinces of the RELEASES.

Bearing the theme, “Governance Performance in Local Legislation, a Shared Responsibility,” the accompanying seminar-workshops of the regional assembly will feature topics such as the Presentation of Effectively Legislated and Enforced Development Codes, Presentation of Functional Tracking System, the Review of the Manual of Operations of the Philippine League of Secretaries to the Sanggunian, Inc., Presentation of the Proposed Amendments to the Manual of Operations.

Same regional assembly shall become the forum and venue for the preparation for the 15th Anniversary and National Convention of the Philippine League of Secretaries to the Sanggunians (PLEASES) to be held in Iloilo City on June 1-4, 2011. It will be capped with an Island Tour to be participated by the delegates.

Faisan said the performance of the sanggunian is a shared responsibility of the council and the secretariat, hence it is necessary for the latter to be well equipped and be more actively involved in order to achieve the optimum results, thus contribute to the development of the locality and the society as a whole.

Spearheaded by AKLESSA President Al de la Cruz, Balete SB Secretary, the hosting preparation is collectively undertaken by the Aklan Secretaries to the Sanggunian, namely: Aklan SP Secretary Odon S. Bandiola, Altavas SB Secretary Jenrose T. Dalida, Banga SB Secretary Joly B. Bolivar, Batan SB Secretary Dennis T. Reyes, Buruanga SB Secretary Napoleon I. Prado, Ibajay SB Secretary Mujane Begonia C. Miroy, Kalibo SB Secretary Diane T. Fegarido, Lezo SB Secretary Claire R. Sabar, Libacao SB Secretary Rey Z. Orbista, Madalag SB Secretary Leslie D. Gonzales, Makato SB Secretary Dan G. Hing, Malay SB Secretary Concordia S. Alcantara, Malinao SB Secretary Lilian I. Iquina, Nabas SB Secretary Rexie G. Flores, New Washington SB Secretary Mars C. Regalado, Numancia SB Secretary Judy M. Tansinco and Tangalan SB Secretary Luchie T. Molo.

SP to Prescribe Singing of the Aklan Hymn in All Ceremonies/Functions in Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan. In an ordinance he will be introducing during the next regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan, SP Member Victor Manuel M. Garcia of the western district, is proposing to make mandatory the singing of the Aklan Hymn in all flag raising ceremonies, official and formal functions and activities of both government and private offices and institutions throughout the Province of Aklan.

Through Resolution No. 2010-043 passed on March 4, 2010, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan has officially adopted both the composition of Dr. Jesse M. Gomez, Schools Division Superintendent of Roxas City, the “Among Akean” as the official Aklan Hymn and the “Hala Bira, Akean” as the official Aklan March. The Aklan SP itself has already institutionalized the singing/playing of the Aklan Hymn in all its sessions, ceremonies and programs.

Garcia said he has noted that only few offices, institutions and organizations, including the school system in Aklan, are singing/playing the Aklan Hymn in their flag raising ceremonies, official and formal functions, activities and programs.

Hence, his proposed ordinance to be introduced soon is titled, “An Ordinance Making It Mandatory in the Whole Province of Aklan for all Government Offices, Local and National, Schools at all Levels, Public and Private, Institutions, Organizations, and the like, the Singing/Playing of the Aklan Hymn In All Flag Raising Ceremonies, Official and Formal Functions, Activities and Programs Which Also Require the Singing/Playing of the Philippine National Anthem.”

Garcia stressed that patriotism and nationalism do not only signify love and loyalty to the country and flag but is also inclusive of a citizen’s love of his own home province and community of origin, in the case of Aklanons, love and loyalty to Aklan Province.

He added that the Aklan Hymn and the Aklan March project the Aklanon unique identity, its traditions, culture and history, geography and scenic attractions and its singing/playing in official and formal functions, activities and programs will instill the Aklanon brand of nationalism and patriotism in the present and future Aklanon generations.

Garcia is set to introduce his proposed enactment during the 13th Regular Session of the august body on October 6, 2010.

Aklan SP Requests DOF To Reclassify Aklan from 2nd To First Class

Kalibo, Aklan-The Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan, during its 12th regular session on September 22, 2010 has passed, a resolution requesting the Secretary of the Department of Finance to reclassify the province of Aklan from 2nd to 1st class, considering that the province has already attained an average annual income from Cy 2005 to Cy 2008 to a level more than prescribed by Executive Order No. 249 dated July 25, 1987 and Department Order No. 23-08 of the Department Of Finance dated July 29, 2008.

The province of Aklan generated annual incomes, based on the audited income report from the Office of the Provincial Accountant and duly certified by the Commission on Audit, as follows: CY 2005-Php 365,434,927.75; CY 2006 – Php 461,939, 623.14; CY 2007 – Php 515,979,364.17; and CY 2008 –Php 650,347,960.26. The general reclassification period fixed by Department Order No. 23-08 is from 2008-2011 following the reckoning period of four years.

In Resolution No. 2010-086, the SP stressed that it is unfair and disadvantageous to the province if its reclassification shall be effective 2011 yet, as it will defeat the purpose of classifying local government units income class spelled out in Executive Order 249 which states that “the income classification of provinces, cities and municipalities serves, among other purposes, as basis for fixing the maximum tax ceilings imposable by the local governments, for determining administrative and statutory aids, financial grants and other forms of assistance to local governments, and for the implementation of salary laws and administrative issuances on allowances and emoluments that local government officials and personnel may be entitled to”.

The SP emphasized that the period of reckoning the average annual income for reclassification purposes of local government units had been pegged by Department Order No. 23-08 from 2004 to 2007 and from 2008-2011. However, Executive Order No. 249 does not bar the reclassification of certain Local Government Units earlier than the prescribed period as it has already attained an average annual income prescribed by Department Order No. 23-08 during the last four (4) years, in the case of Aklan, it has even exceeded the prescribed income bracket for reclassification as first class since 2006 up to 2009.

Aklan SP said that it is but fitting and proper that Aklan be particularly reclassified as first class as soon as possible in keeping with the intent and purposes of Executive Order No. 249 and as an exemption to the reckoning period set by Department Order No. 23-08, Aklan SP added.

SP Member Garcia Pushes for Blood banking Facilities in Aklan

Kalibo, Aklan- In a resolution introduced during the 12th Regular Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan last Wednesday, SP Member Victor Manuel M. Garcia of the Western District has asked Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, through the Provincial Planning and Development Office and the Provincial Local Finance Committee to consider the inclusion in next year’s Annual Investment Plan the procurement and installation of blood banking facilities and equipment at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH).

Garcia also asked the governor in his proposed resolution through the PPDO and the PLFC to appropriate funds for the purpose, possibly, from next year’s 20% IRA Development Fund and to appoint or designate qualified manpower requirements of the blood banking facility.

For equipment alone, Garcia has submitted an estimated P7.3 Million total procurement cost which are composed of two (2) brand new blood bank refrigerators, brand new plasma freezer, brand new portable automatic sealer, brand new pharmaceutical refrigerator, brand new blood collection mixer, brand new biomedical freezer, brand new refrigerated centrifuges ( ROTIXA 50RS and ROTOSILENTA 63RS).

Garcia added that the manpower requirements of the proposed blood bank will require a duly licensed physician as head certified in clinical pathology or blood banking by the Philippines Society of Pathologists; certified in blood transfusion by the Philippine Society of Blood Transfusion and certified in Anatomic Pathology by PSP or in Hematology by PSHBT.

The blood bank will also require four (4) registered medical technologists with 6 months job experience in blood banking service, a Donor Recruitment Officer, and a trained Senior Medical Technologist as Quality Assurance Officer.

Garcia said the physical facilities of the blood bank must conform with the DOH Manual Standards.

The board member form the Western District stressed that it is now time that this perennial problem in health, the utter lack of blood supply storage and processing facilities in this province be addressed in the light of the dengue outbreak which hit Aklan.

Garcia’s resolution was referred to the Committees on Laws, Appropriations and Health for further study.

Miraflores Off to PBMLP Confab, Ibarreta elected Regional President Unopposed

Kalibo, Aklan- Senior Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Jose Enrique M. Miraflores will be leaving for Metro Manila on October 5-7, 2010 to attend the Special Joint Meeting of the National Council Members and the Provincial Representatives of the Provincial Board Members’ League of the Philippines at Century Park Hotel, Manila.

Miraflores, being the most senior among the SP members of Aklan for term 2010-2013, is the Aklan SP representative to the League.

He chairs the Aklan SP Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and the Committee on Tourism, Trade, Industry and Commerce. Miraflores is also a member of the SP Committee on Youth and Sports Development, Committee on Industrial Ethics, Privileges and Discipline and the Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Peace and Order.

Meanwhile, SP Member Selwyn C. Ibarreta was elected Regional President of the League for Western Visayas unopposed during the regional elections held recently in Iloilo City.

On his third and last term in the Aklan SP for 2010-2013, Ibarreta was the former Senior Board Member of Aklan for term 2007-2010 and was also elected as the former Regional Vice President of the League for term 2007-2010.

Ibarreta chairs the powerful SP committees, the Committee on Laws, Rules and Ordinances and the Committee on Appropriations, Budget and Finance and Ways and Means.

The Century Park Hotel Conference of the League will tackle matters relative to its forthcoming National Assembly and election of officers.

It has to be recalled that incumbent Vice Governor Gabrielle Venus-Calizo-Quimpo was also recently elected as National Treasurer of the Vice Governors ‘League of the Philippines (LVGP).

Now SP Member Jean O. Rodrigez was also the National Treasurer of the LVGP in the past when she was yet the Vice Governor of Aklan for three terms.

Former SP Member Wilbert Ariel I. Igoy, now Malinao Mayor, was once the Regional President for Western Visayas of the Philippine Councilor’s League for the term 2007-2010.

Aklan SP to hold Committee/ Public Hearing on Closure of Portion of Toting Reyes Street Kalibo for Flea Market

Kalibo, Aklan- Spearheaded by the Committee on Law, Rules and Ordinances chaired by Hon. Selwyn C. Ibarreta with Hon. Rodson F. Mayor and Hon. Victor Manuel M. Garcia members, the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan is all set to hold a public hearing on the request of the ambulant vendors to use portion of Toting Reyes Street from corner XIX Martyrs Street to corner Roxas Avenue Extension in Kalibo as flea market every Sunday morning.

The public hearing will be held on Monday Sept. 27 at the SP Session Hall, Provincial Capitol starting at 9:00 o’clock in the morning. This request of the ambulant vendors was endorsed for favorable action of the SP by both Kalibo Mayor William S. Lachica and Governor Carlito S. Marquez.

That portion of the Toting Reyes St. in the past had been used by LGU Kalibo as flea market every Wednesdays and Sundays in the morning, Kalibo’s market days. But this was cleared during the term of former Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo, also on orders from the provincial government.

The SP secretariat has invited representatives of LGU Kalibo to include their public officials, the ambulant vendors and the Kalibo Public Market administrators and stakeholders, owners and proprietors of business establishment along Toting Reyes Street and other stakeholders.

Section 21 of RA 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of the Philippines provides “a local government unit may, pursuant to an ordinance, permanently or temporarily close or open any local road, alley, park, or square falling within its jurisdiction: Provided, however, that in case of permanent closure, such ordinance must be approved by at least two-thirds (2/3) of all the members of the sanggunian…”

AKLAN SP Creates a Committee on Senior Citizens and the Elderly

Kalibo, Aklan- During its 12th Regular Session last Wednesday, the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan has enacted General Ordinance No. 2010-002 creating the Committee on Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, People’s Organizations and Non-Government Organizations.
General Ordinance 2010-002 effectively amended General Ordinance No. 2010-002, the latter embodies the SP’s Internal Rules of Procedures and the standing committees of the body.
Under General Ordinance No.2010-001, the Aklan SP has a total of 20 standing committees, as follows: Appropriations, Budget and Finance and Ways and Means; Barangay Affairs; Cooperatives, Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Protection; Disaster Preparedness and Peace and Order; Education Culture, Science and Technology; Energy, Public Utilities, Transportation and facilities; Games and Amusement; Good government and Public Accountability; Health and Social Services; Human Resource; Human Rights; Internal Ethics, Privileges and Discipline; Labor and Employment; Laws, Rules and Ordinances; Local Government; Oversight; Public Works, Housing and Urban Relocation; Tourism, Trade, Industry and Commerce; Women and Family Welfare; and, Youth and Sports Development.
The newly created committee is tasked to handle matters involving issues and concerns affecting the welfare of senior citizens and the elderly to include efforts in empowering POs and NGOs.
Subsequently, during the same session date, the body proceeded to elect the Hon. Jonna I. Morales-Torres as chair of the new committee with Hon. Jean O. Rodriguez and the Hon. Raymar A. Rebaldo as members.
General Ordinance No. 2010-002 was mainly authored by the Hon. Rodson F. Mayor and Hon. Rebaldo and were joined in by all SP Members as co-sponsors.

Smoking Ban in the Caticlan/Cagban Jetty Ports and Terminals is now Strictly Enforced

Kalibo,Aklan- Caticlan/Cagban Jetty Ports and Passenger Terminals Management, starting August 1, 2010, is strictly enforcing Provincial Ordinance No.004,S.1995, “An Ordinance Banning Smoking in Certain Public Places in Aklan Province and Imposing Penalty for Violation Therof”, as amended by Provincial Ordinance No. 02-005.
Rex Victor V. Consemino, Provincial Government Assistant Department Head of the Province’s Economic Enterprise Development Department, has notified all department heads, chiefs of hospitals and EEDD unit heads that Mr. Niven M. Maquirang, Jetty Port Administrator, has been strictly implementing said provincial ordinance banning smoking in public places since August this year, specifically within the premises of the Caticlan/Cagban jetty ports and passenger terminals.
Provincial Ordinance No.004, S.1995 strictly banned smoking in hospitals, assembly halls, enclosed and air-conditioned public buildings, school rooms, auditorium, sports complex, movie houses, and other similar places and establishment except in designated smoking areas to be designated by the owner, administrator, head of office, or operator of said establishment.
However, the penalty imposed by said provincial ordinance as provided in Section 2 which is a fine of not more than One Hundred Pesos (P100.00), or, imprisonment from one to ten days of arresto menor, or both, such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of the Court, had been noted to be very soft.

Said ordinance was enacted on Oct.31, 1995 when the Vice Governor and regular presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan was former vice governor, now, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Jean O. Rodriguez with Governor Florencio T. Miraflores as the province’s chief executive and with the provincial legislative body then composed of lawyers Plaridel M. Morania, Ronquillo C. Tolentino (former Vice Governor), the late Victorio R. Mabasa, Lou P. Tirol, Alexander S. Sitjar, Romeo P. Inocencio, Apolinario Roldan (then representing the PCL) and Rodson F. Mayor (representing the ABC). Other members of the SP at that time were lawyers Santiago R. Regalado, Roberto M. Garcia Jr., and Jean T. Fuentes (representing the SK).
Upon passage of Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act, the penalty imposed, pursuant to Rule LVI Sec.5 of its implementing rules, against violators of the smoking ban is six months and one day to one yea imprisonment, or a fine of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000).
Hencefore, Provincial Ordinance No.02-005 introduced by lawyer Estrella M. Briones, then SP member, effectively amended Provincial Ordinance No.004, S.1995 adopting penalties imposed by R.A.8749.
The general public, tourist, commuters and all concerned utilizing the Caticlan/Cagban Jetty Ports and Passenger Terminal in coming to and from Boracay Island are hereby warned of violating of provincial ordinances banning smoking as well as the Philippine Clean Air Act.

Aklan SP Confirms Two Provincial Department Heads

Kalibo, Aklan- The Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan has confirmed appointment of two provincial government department heads pursuant to the provision of the Local Government Code of 1991 (R.A.7160) Art.119 Rule XVIII.
TheProvincial Legislative Body was requested by Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez for a passage of resolutions confirming the appointments of Provincial Government Department Heads.
Atty. Lee Manare’s appointment was confirmed by the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan as the Provincial Government Department Head of the Provincial Legal Office of the province during its 9th regular session on September 1, 2010. The appointment of Atty. Manares is effective August 2, 2010 as the Head Provincial Legal Office of the province.
The SP likewise has confirmed Mr. William Castillo as the Provincial Government Department of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of the Province of Aklan effective September 1, 2010.
Mr. Castillo was occupying the position of Senior Agriculturist and was designated as Officer in Charge in the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist last February 16, 2008.
He has been performing as an Officer In-Charge of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist since 2008 up to the present after the reassignment of Mr. Delano T. Tefora, Provincial Agriculturist, to special projects to undertake certain feasibility studies.
Earlier, the SP has also confirmed the reappointment of Atty.Diego M. Luces as Provincial Administrator.

Aklan SP Accredits three more Non-Government Organizations

Kalibo, Aklan- The Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan has approved the accreditation of three non-government organizations, during its 11th regular session on September 15, 2010.
Granted provincewide accreditations are the PANGUMA Inc., World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. and Abante Aklan Incorporated.
PANGUMA Inc. has been an active partner of Task Force Kontra Gutom and Task Force Tabang in the aftermath of the two major calamities, the typhoon Frank in 2008 and the October 31, 2009 conflagration in C. Laserna Streets, Kalibo, Aklan.
The organization has functionally existed since April 9, 2003 and established chapters in different barangays of the municipalities of Ibajay, Tangalan, and Makato. It had been an active partner of government and non-government agencies and institutions in delivering basic and urgent goods and services to the people.
PANGUMA have almost institutionalized its yearly launched a Kontra Gutom Campaign, as its working cooperation with the office of the Governor of Aklan and its line agencies in tending to the needs of farming sector and urban poor during lean seasons.
PANGUMA is raising the socio-political, economic and cultural awareness and productivity and share social transformation in the Province.
World Vission Inc. is part of the international partnership of Christians with more than 5 years of solid track record in the country and currently supports around 122,540 children in its Area Development Projects nationwide.
Through child sponsorship, the Foundation aims to provide a wide range of opportunities for children, their families’ and communities to improve their life’ conditions through various transformational and holistic programs and services.
Abante Aklan Inc is presently serving more or less 7,600 children and in the 62 barangays of the 6 municipalities of Altavas, Batan, Madalag, Malinao, Nabas and Tangalan in the province,
Abante Aklan assists in improving the moral and social conditions of the community, especially in the development of indigent families toward self-sufficiency through its family and child care projects and development programs.
The Committee on Laws chaired by Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Selwyn C. Ibbareta with Hon. Rodson F. Mayor and Hon. Victor Manuel M. Gracia as members and the Committee on Cooperative chaired by Hon. Nemesio P. Neron with members Hon. Gerick M. Templonuevo and Hon. Phoebe Clarice L. Cabagnot, as members assessed and evaluated their applications for accreditation and recommended for its approval.