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The Department of agriculture has provided Php 10 million in financial grants to the dragon fruit industry in the Province of Guimaras.
Department of Agriculture Region 6 Agri-Business and Marketing Assistance Division Chief Maria Teresa Solis announced the "good news" during the International Business Forum on Dragon Fruit Farming held last August 10, 2023 at Olivia's Kitchen, San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras.
The grants were given under DA's High Value Crops Development Program that promotes the production, processing, marketing and distribution of high value crops.
Solis said that the financial aid will be used for fertilizer, planting materials, crates and trainings for dragon fruit farmers in the island.
Solis also assured the support of the agency's Agri-Business and Marketing Assistance Division to expand the market of dragon fruit and dragon fruit value added products.
"Very important gid that we should know the market of our commodity that we are going to produce. Indi kita mag-produce kung wala market… wala sure market. Kay usually ma-produce kita and then later on ta lang pangitaon ang market kay gali wala man market. But dragon fruit is very promising because of its nutrients," Solis said.
Guimaras dragon fruit farmers were elated with the help provided by the agency.
Mr. Bonifacio Tespoer, president, Guimaras Dragon Fruit Growers Association, said that they did not expect the financial grant of the Department of Agriculture nevertheless, they are grateful.
He appealed to the agency to provide them a cold storage facility because this is what they need the most according to Tespoer.
Mr. Alvin Nava, provincial agriculturist, said that the financial grant is a big boost for the dragon fruit industry in the province.
The assistance will expand the dragon fruit plantation in Guimaras which will also result in higher production according to Nava.
The Province of Guimaras has just concluded the 10-day festivities for the Dragon Fruit Fest Year 2 which aims to position dragon fruit as an emerging high value crop and tourism event destination attraction in the Province of Guimaras.

CAMP PERALTA, Jamindan, Capiz – Another member of the communist terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with the Army’s 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion in Brgy Cananaman, Leon, Iloilo, on August 13, 2023.
Rebecca Aliparo alias Mara, a political instructor and a Finance Officer of Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay, died after a 3-minute firefight, as soldiers responded to the repeated plea of the local residents on the presence of CPP-NPA terrorists conducting extortion in their community.
Seized from the encounter site were one Cal .45 pistol, bandoliers, magazines, several ammunitions, and assorted war materiel.
Leon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Manahement Office (MDRRMO) retrieved the cadaver later that day and notified the family of the slain terrorist, who hails from Brgy. Bagacay, Tigbauan, Iloilo.
In a statement, Major Gen. Marion Sison, the Commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, said that the death of Aliparo will not be the last. The government forces will continue to run after those terrorists who cause miseries and sufferings to our communities.
“You cannot escape, and while you still have time, give up the senseless armed struggle and regain your future,” Major Gen. Sison emphasized.
Meanwhile, 19 soldiers from the 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion of the Philippine Army have been recognized for their exceptional courage and heroic actions during a series of encounters with members of the CPP-NPA rebels.
These engagements took place in Brgy. Camandang and Brgy. Ayabang in Leon, Iloilo, neutralizing two rebels and confiscating four firearms, anti-personnel mines, cellphones, extortion letters, subversive documents, and personal belongings.
The Military Merit Medals were presented to the soldiers in a simple ceremony held at the Battalion Headquarters in Camp Monteclaro, Brgy Igtuba, Miag-ao, Iloilo, on August 8, 2023.
Brigadier General Michael G. Samson, Commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Arturo S. Balgos Jr., Commanding Officer of the 61st Infantry Battalion, officiated the ceremony.
During the event, Brig. Gen. Samson commended the unwavering dedication exhibited by the 61IB troops in their efforts to locate and engage the remaining members of the Southern Front. (3ID Spearhead troopers)

The Iloilo City Government will award corporations and individuals who topped last year’s payments on real property and business taxes as part of the 86th Charter Day celebration on August 25.
“We are always grateful to the business sector for helping in the growth and development of our city despite the previous pandemic and the uncertainty of the economy. They continue to be our staunch partners in ensuring a sustainable, livable and resilient city,” Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said.
The top 10 corporations and individuals for real property tax (RPT) and business tax categories will be honored in an awarding ceremony to be graced by city officials and department heads, business community, private sector, and other stakeholders.
The 2022 Top Taxpayers in Iloilo City for RPT are the following:
CORPORATIONS
Top 1 – Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC)
Top 2 – SM Prime Holdings, Inc.
Top 3 – Megaworld Corporation
Top 4 – Panay Power Corporation
Top 5 – HEVA Management Development Corporation
Top 6 – Philippine Foremost Milling Corporation
Top 7 – Robinsons Land Corporation
Top 8 – MORE Electric and Power Corporation
Top 9 – Avon River Power Holdings Corporation
Top 10 – TTK Realty and Development Corporation
INDIVIDUALS
Top 1 – Spouses (Sps.) Romeo Go and Jill Go
Top 2 – Sps. Theodore M. Valderrama and Eufemia Wilmett Wuthrich Valderrama
Top 3 – Sps. Lynn S. Kho and James Kho
Top 4 – Sps. Marcelino M. Florete, Jr. and Susan C. Florete
Top 5 – Vicky Yu Yap and Sps. Winston Vincent Yu Yap and Genivie Servidad Yap
Top 6 – Wu Bing Huai
Top 7 – Sps. Emilio S. Diez and Gina S. Diez
Top 8 – Robert U. Po
Top 9 – Marilyn Uy Ong
Top 10 – Sps. Tomas Cheng Chua and Sonita Uy Cheng Chua
Meanwhile, the Top Taxpayers for Business are the following:
CORPORATIONS
Top 1 – PEDC
Top 2 – MORE Electric and Power Corporation
Top 3 – SYL Hermanos Industrial Sales, Inc
Top 4 – Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation
Top 5 – Vic Imperial Appliance Corporation
Top 6 – Mandurriao Star, Inc.
Top 7 – ACM Landholdings, Inc
Top 8 – Philippine Foremost Milling Corporation
Top 9 – Panay Power Corporation
Top 10 – La Filipina Uy Gongco Corporation
INDIVIDUALS (Single Proprietorship)
Top 1 – Gilbert F. Falcis
Top 2 – Denate Martin Crisostomo Que
Top 3 – Theodore M. Valderrama
Top 4 – Noemi Borgonia Gevero
Top 5 – Ronnie P. Primaylon
Top 6 – George O. Que
Top 7 – Manuel L. Kho
Top 8 – Alvin Hilario De Guzman Uy
Top 9 – Paul O. Que
Top 10 – Nancy C. Penit
Treñas said every year the city does not fail to recognize the corporations and individuals as a way of highlighting their significance in the city’s progress.
“Indeed, taxes are the lifeblood of the government. Our programs and services for the people are ensured because of these responsible corporations and individuals,” he added. (Iloilo City PIO)

By Vincent P. Grecia

Public schools in Iloilo province are all set for the start of the new academic year next Monday, August 29, 2023.
Department of Education (DepEd) Iloilo Superintendent Dr. Ernesto F. Servillon Jr., in a media conference on August 15, 2023, said that the schools have already started their Oplan Brigada and Balik Eskwela to ensure that all the learning facilities, including the equipment and learning materials, are all set.
“Looking into the plans sang school heads, ang mga interventions nga ginpang-plastar naton like strategies ta para ma-address ang kakulangan sang classrooms and teachers, makasiling gid kita nga ready gid kita and prepared for the opening of classes,” Servillon said.
He acknowledged that just like any other areas in the country, Iloilo is still facing the long-standing problem of classroom and teacher shortage, but revealed that the DepEd central office and the Iloilo Provincial Government are working together to address the gaps.
“Ongoing man ang pag-download sang central office sang fund para sa classroom construction. At the same time, our provincial government, ginagamit man ang aton School Board Fund para sa pag-augment para dugangan ang aton classrooms,” Servillon explained.
Part of DepEd-Iloilo’s interventions include providing temporary learning spaces; utilization of existing structures that can be converted to classrooms; shifting of schedules; and conducting blended learning modality.
Data from DepEd-Iloilo showed that the province lacks 1,652 classrooms, broken down as follows: 302 classrooms for the 1st district; 297 for the 2nd district; 3rd district (385); 4th district (219); and 5th district (449).
For the teaching personnel, DepEd-Iloilo revealed that based on the academic year 2022-2023, more than 800 teachers for Senior High School (SHS) and more than 50 teachers for SPED are needed in the province.
The department, on the other hand, thanked the provincial government for approving its proposal of hiring 500 additional remedial teachers, which will be funded by the Local School Board, to address the lack of teachers, as well as the present learning gaps and performance status of the students.
Servillon also said that they are expecting an increase in the number of enrollees this year from 493,335 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 enrolled in 2022.
Meanwhile, DepEd-Iloilo is planning to launch its program under the Alternative Learning System dubbed Enrollment to Employment, which aims to connect ALS graduate who don’t want to proceed to college to possible employment opportunities through the help of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
“I have seen that there is a gap between formal and non-formal students and I thought that after graduation from ALS, ano na matabo? That is why we conceptualize the program that once mag-enroll sila dira, they will end up employed with the help of TESDA and DOLE,” Servillon said. (PIA6 Iloilo)

The India Business Forum (IBF) Philippines Association Inc., through the Embassy of India and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iloilo, has donated medicines worth P12.9 million to the province of Iloilo.
The turnover ceremony was led by Mr. Sadre Alam, Counsellor of the Economic and Commerce; Mr. Dileep Tiwari, President of the Indian Business Forum; PCCI President Mr. Fulbert Woo; Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.; Provincial Administrator Raul Banias; Hospital Management Office Chief Dr. Paz Calopiz, and the chiefs of the provincial and district hospitals on July 31, 2023 during the regular flag ceremony at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol lobby.
Alam said the event is “a testimony to the longstanding friendship and strong partnership between our two countries.”
“The socio-economic agenda and priority sectors of the government of Philippines such as agriculture, health, Fintech etc. are also the focus areas of cooperation of my government,” he said.
Last May, the Indian government held a business roadshow in Iloilo in partnership with PCCI.
“As part of our development partnership, in the coming days, we look forward to implementing few quick impact projects in Iloilo that would exemplify our bilateral relation and for this, we seek the active and continued collaboration of the Iloilo local government,” he said.
“Next year, India and Philippines will mark and celebrate the 75th (platinum) year of our diplomatic relations. We seek your kind support to ensure a grand celebration at the popular level in every part of Philippines including Iloilo,” Alam added.
Governor Defensor thanked the Indian Business Forum for the donation which is a big help to the hospitals and the healthcare system in the province, adding that it is the first concrete step in furthering the partnership between the province of Iloilo and India.
The governor said that the donation of medicines also serves as an inspiration in the province’s plan to embark on research and development in partnership with the universities and academic institutions.
“The companies of India can donate medicines because they have a developed pharmaceutical industry. And we are inspired by that. We are partnering with universities and academic institutions in pursuing research and development and that may include pharmaceuticals. Because we have universities here and academic institutions that are very good and has potential in pharmacy,” Defensor said. (Capitol News)

Boracay visitors told to deal only with DOT-accredited establishments

Boracay visitors and tourists are told to be wary of dealing with travel agencies and agents who are not Department of Tourism’s (DOT) accredited, especially those transacting online.
The local government unit of Malay, Aklan through its Municipal Tourism Office (MTO), released an advisory calling on would-be visitors and tourists bound for Boracay Island to have their travel arrangements only through the DOT-accredited travel agencies and accommodation establishments in Boracay Island and in Mainland Malay.
Chief Tourism Operations Officer of Malay Felix Delos Santos, Jr. said these agencies have been vetted and approved by the LGU and the DOT, providing a higher level of reliability and security for travel necessities.
“I sincerely believe that our office is really doing its best to provide our tourists a safe and comfortable vacation, and so I hope that the tourists will also be responsible enough to exercise extreme caution in every travel transaction they do online,” Delos Santos said.
LGU Malay issued an advisory on the list of trusted DOT-Accredited Travel Agencies and Accommodation establishments referring to the official Facebook page Malay-Boracay Tourism Office as well as recommending to visit the website www.boracayinfoguide.com 
or Project Big A, for reliable information in planning trips to Boracay safely.
Project BIG-A is a one-stop, all-in-one mobile application with all the authentic, relevant and timely information necessary to travel to Boracay Island that is accessible anytime and anywhere.
The website also offers essential tips, travel guidelines, and insights about the island to ensure that the tourists will have a delightful and trouble-free experience.
The MTO further reminded tourists and visitors planning to go to Boracay to beware of suspicious emails, social media accounts, or websites claiming to offer travel deals that seem too good to be true.
“Tourists should always verify the authenticity of the sources by relying on DOT-accredited travel agencies and 
accommodation establishments and remember to prioritize secure payment methods when making reservations,” Delos Santos added.
Meanwhile, to further protect would-be tourists and visitors bound for Boracay Island from fake travel agencies, the local tourism office announced that currently, there is only one travel and tour operator association exclusively recognized by the LGU – the Boracay Island Travel Agency and Tour Operators Association (BITATOA).
According to Claribel Casimero, BITATOA president, the group is the sole association officially recognized by the LGU-Malay as the governing body for travel agencies and tour operators operating within the municipality of Malay.
BITATOA was established on August 13, 2014 and boasts a total membership of forty reputable entities, all of which are accredited by the DOT. 
“This exclusive recognition highlights BITATOA’s dedication to upholding high standards of service and adherence to local regulations,” Casimero said.
She assured that BITATOA, along with its accredited members, is committed to providing the tourists with exceptional service and memorable experiences during their stay in Boracay.
“With our collective efforts, we can ensure that every visitor enjoys a safe, enjoyable, and respectful visit to this paradise island,” Casimero added.
Based on the records of DOT-Boracay, there are 35 DOT-accredited travel and tour agencies in Boracay Island, while Mainland Malay, mostly in Barangay Caticlan, has 14.  (PIA-6)

The Iloilo City Government, through the Local Economic and Development (LEDIP) Office, is stepping up its game toward making an innovative and sustainable metropolis in partnership with the private sector through the Innovate Iloilo movement.
Headed by its Project leader, Velma Jane C. Lao, they presented the movement’s updated roadmap and crafted its policies alongside public and private stakeholders on July 31 at the Park Inn Hotel, Iloilo City.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas expressed his support for boosting this project to create more development frameworks, encouraging more partnerships between the public and private sectors in the pursuit of innovation and progressive development for the constituents to enjoy.
“With Innovate Iloilo, we hope that we carry forward the spirit of innovation, embracing it as a driving force in our lives. As we foster a culture of excellence through our projects, we will nurture the next generation of trailblazers and visionaries”, said Lao.
Innovate Iloilo is a public-private movement aimed at promoting innovation in the city and province of Iloilo, with the goal of making Iloilo City the premier “Innovation Hub” of the Philippines by 2030.
It was created under Executive Order No. 112, signed by Mayor Treñas to pursue the said movement and formulate and implement its roadmap and functions.
It is grounded on the following pillars: visionary leadership; smart cities and communities; innovative human capital; innovation-driven economy; creative industries; and strong startup ecosystem.
Most of the projects created under the movement include the jumpstarting of incubation centers, research and development programs, and hosting forums in partnership with different academic institutions. (Angelo Miranda/Iloilo City PIO).