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The implementation of Iloilo’s biggest irrigation development project has unlocked another milestone. The Jalaur High Dam, the reservoir dam of the project has finally attained its designed height at 109 meters tall or at elevation 194 meters above sea level.

On November 27, 2023, the Project Management Office (PMO) of the Jalaur River Multi-purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) together with its international contractor Daewoo E&C carried out the final batch of concrete pouring at the high dam spillway bridge, which likewise indicated that the structure was already substantially completed.

With this development, all dams of JRMP II were already considerably completed and remaining activities at the dam sites include reservoir preparation, tunnel plugging, preparation of stilling basin and electromechanical works for the operation phase, among many others.

The Afterbay Dam was completed by the Contractor in February this year while the Alibunan Catch Dam was completed in December 2021.

Major remaining construction activities are now on the irrigation component of the project which covers the 80-kilometer High Line Canal and another 80-kilometer Main and Lateral Canals that shall convey water from the dams to the farmlands.

The high dam, during its operation, will store an estimated 250 million cubic meters of water that can be utilized for multi-purpose uses such as irrigation, bulk water, hydroelectric power and inland fishery. The reservoir dam will likewise generate eco-tourism opportunities and mitigate flooding in Calinog and nearby towns.

The JRMP II is a major economic booster for the Province and City of Iloilo as its realization and eventual operation will usher holistic rural development.

At the helm of its implementation are NIA Administrator Engineer Eduardo Eddie Guillen and NIA 6 Acting Regional Manager and concurrent Project Manager Engineer Jonel Borres.

The Provincial Government of Aklan has lifted the submission of hotel vouchers as a requirement to enter Boracay island in Malay town.

Aklan Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores issued Executive Number 097 Series of 2023 on  Nov. 15, which orders the lifting of the implementation of EO No. 009, series of 2022 that requires visitors to submit hotel vouchers via the AKQUIRE system in the province of Aklan, particularly in Boracay island.

Previously, Miraflores issued EO No. 003 on July 4, 2022, and EO No. 0047 on October 25, 2022, which mandated the lifting of imposition of QR code requirements to enter the province for returning Aklanons and tourists, respectively. 

Miraflores said that such steps are in response to the pronouncement of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on tourism as an engine of growth and that Local Government Units of tourist destinations shall start easing travel requirements for tourists.

In removing the hotel voucher, tourists need only to go to the Tourist Registration Center at Jetty Port before proceeding to the Payment Counter and Seacraft boarding.

However, tourists and travelers are strictly reminded and highly encouraged to book only to accommodation establishments that are accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT). This is to ensure the security and safety of the travelers as well as to avoid further inconvenience to guests who are having their vacation on the famed island.

Following the issuance of EO No. 097, the Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) expressed its happiness with the latest development on the island that further relaxes the policy on tourists’ entry to the island.

In a media interview, Dindo Salazar, Chairman of BFI, noted that they positively welcome such a step of the provincial government because it will 

have a huge impact and help Boracay Island, which is considered one of the top destinations for both local and foreign tourists. 

Salazar stressed that stakeholders actually requested the provincial government to drop the hotel voucher requirement as this is one of the reasons that many tourists are reluctant to go to the island, and with this development, BFI is confident that it will help attract more tourists to spend their vacation in Boracay Island.

Aside from the hotel voucher requirement, Miraflores also revealed some changes in regulations in Boracay Island as discussed during the 2nd Boracay-Caticlan Sustainable Development Council (BCSDC) Meeting in Boracay Island.

The white beaches of Boracay become more open as guests and tourists are now allowed to bring with them their beach beds and umbrellas, and night swimming is extended to 9:00 p.m.

Also, food and drinks are now allowed in party boats.

The provincial government of Aklan likewise suspended the P20,000 fee for foreign tour guides, and there is a continuous dialogue on having a unified ticket at the jetty port. (PIA-Aklan)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conferred the seal of the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) award to 25 local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas with the regional kick-off of the 31st National Children’s Month (NCM) on Wednesday.

“This audit is included in the Seal of Good Local Governance, wherein if you cannot pass, you cannot enter the top award in local governance. The child-friendly is more on social protection,” DILG Western Visayas Regional Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero said in an interview.

The recipients of the CFLGA seal included the towns of Anilao, Dingle, Lambunao, Oton, Pavia, Dumangas, Concepcion, Tigbauan, Tubungan, Pototan, Santa Barbara, Igbaras, and Passi City from Iloilo province; Buenavista and Nueva Valencia in Guimaras province; Dao, Sapian, Jamindan, and Tapaz in Capiz; and the cities of Himamaylan, Silay, San Carlos, and La Carlota, and Hinoba-an, all in Negros Occidental province.

During the kick-off ceremony, the DSWD and the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (RSCWC) introduced the Mahalin at Kalingain ang ating mga Bata (Makabata) helpline 1383, which is expected to be operational next year.

“The Makabata helpline primarily aims to develop a mechanism that will provide quick response, monitoring, and feedback through calls, electronic mail, and different social media platforms,” said RSCWC regional coordinator Franz Hermocillas in his presentation.

It provides services to all children, parents, and adolescents with varied needs relating to child rights and concerns.

Meantime, concerns and issues can be reported using the smart number 0919-3541383, globe line 0915-8022375, or by emailing makabatahelpline@cwc.gov.ph.

This year’s NCM celebration has its theme, “Healthy, nourished, sheltered: Ensuring the right to life for all.”

Other events to highlight the celebration are the children’s congress on Nov. 24-25 and the children’s contest with child development learners as participants on Dec. 6.

The kick-off ceremony started with the participants reciting the Hiligaynon version of the “Panatang Makabata.” (PNA)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government – Iloilo together with the National Youth Commission and the Local Youth Development Officers started the mandatory training for newly -elected Sangguniang Kabataan officials in the province of Iloilo.

All Sangguniang Kabataan Officials from the 43 local government units are expected to undergo the Sangguniang Kabataan Mandatory Training (SKMT), a requirement before they can assume office pursuant to Section 28 of Republic Act No. 10742.

Two batches of SK leaders from the municipalities of Tubungan and San Dionisio have already completed the SKMT on November 5.

The rest of the SK leaders in the province will undergo the training before November 15.

The training includes 3 modules covering 5 sessions with the topics on Decentralization and Local Governance, SK History and Salient Features, Meetings and Resolutions, Planning and Budgeting and Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards.

This is also conducted in collaboration with the Iloilo provincial government through the Provincial Youth Development Office.  (PIA-6)

By Vincent P. Grecia

The Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) has called for the removal from office of the Iloilo Airport manager and the Acting Manager of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Area VI.

The Iloilo Airport Manager is Manuela Luisa Palma  while the CAAP Acting Area Manager is Eusebio Monserate, Jr.

IDC VI in its Resolution No. 05 series of 2023 stated that the two officials failed to attend the fourth quarter meeting of RDC-IDC on November 8, 2023 where IDC chairperson Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas sought updates on the Iloilo airport upgrading.

The IDC VI also noted that several airport facilities and equipment need repair and improvement, particularly the non-working escalators and chillers.

Iloilo airport, the 5th busiest airport in the country in 2022, is not in good condition and cannot accomodate the increasing passenger and cargo traffic, it added.

There is a leadership crisis in the Iloilo airport, hence a new, responsive and more active management is needed to address the prevailing concerns, the IDC VI resolution stated.

“I am very disappointed with the present status of the Iloilo airport. The air conditioning machines are not working, the x-rays are not working, and the escalator is not working. Even the toilets are smelly. It is no longer the same airport. Furthermore, the passenger terminal is congested. No plans from CAAP National at all,” told the media in an interview after the IDC VI resolution came out in public.

Earlier, the Provincial Development Council (PDC) Executive Committee passed two resolutions relative to the urgent expansion of the Iloilo International Airport during their meeting presided by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. on October 9, 2023 at the Governor’s Boardroom.

First, the council submitted a resolution requesting Prime Asset Ventures, Inc. (PAVI) to submit all the documentary requirements to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) regarding their proposed unsolicited proposal (USP) in the amount of ₱6.89 billion.

Second is a resolution requesting the DOTr to expedite the evaluation of the unsolicited proposal of PAVI.

Governor Defensor has been strongly pushing for the urgent expansion of the facility to cater to more passengers following the rapid growth in the city and province.

The governor brought the matter to DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista during his recent meeting with the latter last September 29, 2023.