Search and Rescue Ongoing for One Who Fell and Two Who Jumped After to Save

A search and recovery operation is ongoing as of press time for a kid who fell into the sea from a Roll-on/roll off (RORO) ship and two people who jumped into the sea from the same ship to save the kid Tuesday night.

According to the information from Lt. Cmdr. Terence Alsosa of the Philippine Coast Guard Caticlan, the Starlite ship was sailing from Roxas Oriental Mindoro going to Caticlan Tuesday night. After thirty minutes of sailing, someone noticed a female carrying an almost three year old kid trying to catch some fresh air near the railings of the ship. Allegedly because of sleepiness, it was possible that the mother, identified as Joana Realizo of Tigbawan, Iloilo dropped the young kid into the sea by accident.

Passengers were startled by the shout of the mother who then jumped into the sea to save her young kid. One passenger who was later identified as Jonel Montes of Carles, Iloilo, saw the incident and also jumped from the ship to save the mother and her young kid.

At present the three victims are still missing while a search and recovery operation by the Coast Guard is ongoing.

Kalibo International Airport to increase its Terminal Fee

The Kalibo International Airport (KIA) is now planning to have an increase on its terminal fee for both domestic and international flights.

According to KIA manager Percy Malonesio the Public Hearing for the said fee increase is due on May 24 in Kalibo.

The presence of the representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) from Metro Manila and Cebu are expected, as well as business personalities in the province of Aklan, especially those from Boracay.

It has been said that KIA is the last to have this proposition as almost all the airports in the country including the Caticlan/Boracay airport had already had their fees increased in the previous year.

Also Kia decided to have this appeal for an additional support for its daily operation.

In line with this, if the proposition be approved, the 40.00 peso terminal fee for domestic flights would rise to 200.00, while that of the international flight would rise from 500.00 to 700.00.

They have assured however that, if granted after the hearing, the public is said to expect a 

proclamation before its implementation.

Malonesio also cleared out that there will be no exemptions even as the passengers would be from the province of Aklan.

Hawk Bills in Boracay

Ninety seven newly hatched Pawikan (Hawk Bill Turtles) were discovered on the sand of a kitchen at a restaurant at Tambisaan, Brgy. Manoc-Manoc, Boracay on Monday morning.

According to information from Felix Balquin, Marine Biologist of the Local Government of Malay and Bantay Dagat, the Hawk Bills were discovered at a restaurant managed by Emelda Sevilla at Tambisaan. The Hawk bills were formally turned over to the Bantay Dagat for proper caring at noontime Monday.

It was learned that during sunset Monday, the Ninety seven Hawk Bills were to be released to the sea of Boracay.

Meanwhile, Balquin asked the public, that whenever they see turtle eggs or small Hawk Bills along the coast, to leave them alone and inform their Office immediately.

In the month of March, almost a hundred Hawk Bills were also saved along the coast of the town of Malay. The Hawk Bills were also later released to the sea along the coast by Bantay Dagat.

Hawk Bills in Boracay

Ninety seven newly hatched Pawikan (Hawk Bill Turtles) were discovered on the sand of a kitchen at a restaurant at Tambisaan, Brgy. Manoc-Manoc, Boracay on Monday morning.

According to information from Felix Balquin, Marine Biologist of the Local Government of Malay and Bantay Dagat, the Hawk Bills were discovered at a restaurant managed by Emelda Sevilla at Tambisaan. The Hawk bills were formally turned over to the Bantay Dagat for proper caring at noontime Monday.

It was learned that during sunset Monday, the Ninety seven Hawk Bills were to be released to the sea of Boracay.

Meanwhile, Balquin asked the public, that whenever they see turtle eggs or small Hawk Bills along the coast, to leave them alone and inform their Office immediately.

In the month of March, almost a hundred Hawk Bills were also saved along the coast of the town of Malay. The Hawk Bills were also later released to the sea along the coast by Bantay Dagat.

Community Clean-up and Close Coordination: Solution to Dengue

It is still the community which plays the main role in the prevention of Dengue - a deadly disease - especially this coming rainy season.

According to the Municipal Health Officer of Malay, Dr. Adrian Salaver, it’s not just a single household that is supposed to be cleaned, because the mosquito (Aedes Aegypti) which is the vector of this disease transfers in one area to another.

He added that the whole community's cooperation is still very important to prevent it from spreading.

Salaver also asks for the people to report to, or inform the Municipal Health office about any area that could be a potential breeding place for this insects in order for them to apply chemicals for its control.

This is why its best, he said, for the public to have a close coordination with the MHO, because this disease needs the entire year for the community to be prepared for, in the form of clean-ups.

This interview with Salaver followed after a case of dengue was recorded in the past weeks in the island as well as in other parts of Aklan.

Meanwhile, the month of June is said to be the time where dengue is very rampant.

Despite China-Philippines Standoff International Flights From Shanghai to KIA Continue

Despite the ongoing tension between China and the Philippines regarding Scarborough Shoal, international flights from Shanghai,China to Kalibo International Airpot (KIA) remain normal.

This was clarified by the KIA Administrator Percy Malonesio in an interview conducted Friday morning.

While there were allegedly some airports which received notification that flights from Shanghai China were cancelled, according to Malonesio he had not received communication of cancellation of flights from China. Pointing out that as an administrator, if there were changes of date or time of arrivals especially on international flights, he would be informed.

Malonesia further said that KIA had no documents so far which showed that flights were affected specially for tourists going to Boracay.

Even direct flights from Taipei, Taiwan according to Malonesia were not cancelled.

Direct flights from Taiwan and China were almost daily, Malonesia added, and at the meantime arrivals would continue until an advisory was given by the corresponding airline company.

Boracay Bookings of Chinese Nationals, Cancelled

Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) President Dionesio 'Jony' Salme confirmed that there are resorts in the island whose bookings with Chinese tourists had been cancelled.

In fact, some guests in their own resort had already withdrawn last week with the reason concerning the security of the tourists as the tension between Philippines and China over Panatag or Scarborough Shoal continues.

Aside from this, according to the information gathered from Boracay Regency, one of the biggest resort in the island, on Thursday some of the Chinese nationals also cancelled their online bookings that was supposedly scheduled on the up-coming days.

As noted from Ms. Athena Dorin of Boracay Regency, according to the Travel Agencies that they've confer with, these Chinese would also want to push through with their travel to the island, however the Chinese Government refused to allow them resulting to the cancelations of bookings.

But in spite of this it has been learned that not all who had booked backed out.

Meanwhile, based on their observation with the Chinese guests on the island, it appears that there is nothing to be worried about, as a matter of fact their stay in Boracay was described as 'normal'.

Moreover, currently there are no reports being noted that there are guests who packed up because of fear or concern over the projected rally against China's government.