LGU Malay, “Blind” as to what illegal structures are to be torn down

The Local Government of Malay is still sightless or “blind” as to what establishments in Boracay beach front are on the list for demolition.

According to Malay Municipal Planning Officer and Zoning Officer Alma Beliherdo, they haven’t received any official list from the National Boracay Task Force until now.

The mentioned Task Force laid the plan on the demolition of illegal structures on the island.

Previously, Aklan Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Iven Reyes mentioned that 293 establishments and or illegal structures are set to be torn down.

Yesterday, a dialogue occurred between the stakeholders and the task force lead by Atty. Helen J. Catalbas, Regional Director of DOT-6 and the spokesperson for this issue.

However Beliherdo said that even the local government was not invited to the said talk, thereby leaving them with no idea of what has transpired.

Nonetheless, based on the Zoning Officer’s initial knowledge, Station 1 will be much affected since the area has a number of illegal structures such as sea walls and tents set on the beach line.

She added that there will be no demolition of resorts as it is only their extensions which are within the 25+5 meter easement, except from a certain bar which will be entirely removed.

The task force had earlier said that they plan to have this implemented on the coming March or April.

WANTED: COPY oF tHE LIST oF STRUCTURES fOR DEMOLITION aT tHE fRONT BEACH

The demolition of illegal structures in Boracay was previously reported to start on March or April 2013.

However, the Town Council of Malay allegedly has no information on what resorts or establishments will be affected.

Town Council Member Rowen Aguirre is allegedly worried that when a statement is issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on the removal of illegal structures, the number of illegal structures increases.

While Aguirre has an idea that tents and other temporary structures are the ones to be removed since they are within the 25 plus 5 easement specified by the law implemented by the DENR, he wishes for a copy of the DENR list of illegal structures for the Town Council.

He added that it seemed to appear that the LGU of Malay had not done anything to take action on the illegal structures, so he expressed his wish to have a copy of the almost three hundred establishments which will be affected by the demolition.

800 police officers, dispatched for Kalibo Ati-atihan

To ensure the security of the Ati-atihan celebration, 800 police personnel have been dispatched to different areas in Kalibo.

The distribution of the police force started off last Monday, when devotees of Sr. Santo Niño began their street dancing.

The celebration is expected to last for a week or until Monday, as activities are still going to be held on Sunday night.

According to PO3 Nida Gresgas, Public Information Officer of the Aklan Provincial Office, some of this 800 police were from Antique, Capiz, Iloilo and regional Mobile Group or RMG.

This year’s Kalibo Ati-atihan kicked off on January 14 and will be celebrated until the 20^th of the month.

"MS COLUMBUS 2" & "MS EUROPA" tO VISIT BORACAY iN FEBRUARY & MARCH 2013

Two (2) cruise ships will be arriving in Boracay in the early months of this year.

"MS COLUMBUS 2"

This had been confirmed by the Department of Tourism 6 (DOT-6) Regional Director, Atty. Helen J. Catalbas.

According to Catalbas, the cruise ship “MS Columbus 2” is expected to arrive in Boracay on February 24, while “MS Europa” will be in the island on March 19, both cruise ships are from the German transportation company Hapag Lloyd Cruises.

Catalbas said that “MS Columbus 2” has six hundred ninety eight (698) passenger capacity, while the “MS Europa” has a capacity of more than four hundred (4oo+).

She added that the DOT is coordinating with authorities for the arrival of the two cruise ships.

"MS EUROPA"

The arrival of the two cruise ships in the island allegedly shows that Boracay has become a more popular tourist destination. Catalbas also added that this is only the beginning.

"LEGEND OF THE SEAS"

Back in October, the DOT Regional Director said that the cruise ship market will be the focus in 2013 for Boracay.

The cruise ship “Legend of the Seas,” with about two thousand passengers, visited the island in October 2012.

Red Cross’ Fun Run in Boracay, a Guinness Book of World Records participant

Come February and the Fun Run to be held in Boracay will be an entry to the Guinness Book of World Records.

With this, the Red Cross Boracay- Malay Chapter encourages the whole community to take part in the mentioned event.

Red Cross Boracay aims to gather more participants as this event will be a part of the nationwide fun run by the Philippine Red Cross and will be counted on the official number to be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records.

This Fun Run by the Philippine Red Cross will be conducted spontaneously in all its chapters in the country.

Boracay’s version however will be unique as this will take place on the beach area, others will take the usual place which is the streets.

Nonetheless all participants will be counted altogether.

According to Jana Marasigan of PRC Boracay-Malay Chapter, this event to be held on February 10 can also be a family activity.

Children can join the three kilometer run, teenagers on a five kilometer run, and seven kilometers for adults.

And although this event has a registration fee, but with this they can also take home some souvenirs and other useful items.

NEW TARIFF RATE oF BIWC - APPROVED bY TIEZA REGULATORY OFFICE

The additional rate in water and sewerage service fee of the Boracay Island Water Company (BIWC) has been approved by the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise and Zoning Authority (TIEZA-RO).

This was learned from a message sent by, and later confirmed by the BIWC COO, Ben Mañosca thru a live radio interview on Tuesday, January 15.

The message also wanted consumers and businessmen in the island, connected to the BIWC, to know that the tariff was published on well known newspapers on the same day.

This means that the rate increase from the BIWC will push thru.

However, unlike the thirty five (35) percent proposed increase, to start on the beginning of the year, the company sided with the appeal of stakeholders during the public hearing held by TIEZA in December 2012 to stagger or slowly increase rate.

Meanwhile, the new rate in water and sewerage service fee will be felt fifteen (15) days after being published on newspapers and made known to the public, and this will be possibly by the month of February of the current year.

Ordinance prohibiting fast food chains at the beach front, aimed to be passed

To keep Boracay’s beach front from looking like a “fast food chain street.”

This reason urged the Town Council of Malay on their plan to pass an ordinance that prohibits the construction or putting up of fast food chains in the front beach, as this won’t be a good impression to the tourists.

On the other hand, SB Member Rowen Aguirre clarified that he is not against these food chains’ entry to Boracay, it should however be placed not on the beach front as a means to protect the island.

If the ordinance will be passed, he said there will be a specific or designated area for this type of businesses in accordance to the zoning being implemented on the island under the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).

The passing of the said ordinance was considered as a preparation for the other food chains, such as Jollibee, projecting to enter the island. 

2013 BORACAY ATI-ATIHAN HELD PEACEFULLY

The Ati-atihan in Boracay on Sunday, January 13 was held without untoward incidents and was regarded to be successful.

Based on Police record in the island, during the whole day operation of the Police for the security of the attendees of the Ati-atihan celebration, no untoward cases were recorded related to the celebration.

Reverend Fr. Arnold Crisostomo of the Holy Rosary Church earlier hoped drinking of alcoholic beverages would not cause trouble during the celebration.

In addition, another aspiration of the Church was also met since devotees of Sr. Sto. Niño, or the Infant Jesus did not leave garbage at the White Beach even after the procession.

Devotees were also reported to be happy in the street dancing of the Ati-atihan held on Sunday, January 15.

However, some passengers of tricycles and other motorists in the island reportedly felt bored since they were stuck in traffic during the celebration.

MORATORIUM oN PERMIT tO TRANSPORT tO BORACAY - EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 2012

The Moratorium which temporarily stopped the issuance of Permit to Transport (PTT) to all vehicles to be brought to Boracay, concluded in 2012.

The temporary non issuance of PTT of vehicles to be brought to Boracay was implemented on the 1^st of June of the previous year.

In an interview with the Island Administrator, Glenn Sacapaño, on Wednesday, January 9, he said the Moratorium expired on the end of December 2012. With this, the Local Government of Malay is again issuing Permit to Transport to owners of vehicles to be brought to Boracay.

Sacapaño added, however, that the requirements should first be completed by applicants before a PTT is to be issued.