PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION iN BORACAY iS UNDER OBSERVATION

The public transportation in Boracay is under observation by the Local Government Unit of Malay.

This was declared by Town Council Member Welbic Gelito, Committee Chairman of Transportation during an interview on Thursday, February 14.

The observation is brought about by the current situation in the island wherein the number of tricycles seems not enough due to the increase of passengers on Peak Season.

Gelito believes, however, that the situation should not be bad if the tricycles and multi cabs are not hired exclusively.

He said that the mandate of the  Land Trasportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) when it gave franchise to the multi cab is not for tourists to hire multi cabs exclusively.

Gelito believes that the Boracay Land Transportation Multi Purpose Cooperative (BLTMPC) can service passengers if multi cabs ply their route from Yapak to Manoc-Manoc and vice versa and not on stand-by to wait for tourists or fetch guests..

Nevertheless, the situation will be looked into by the LGU of Malay.

If it is found that additional units for transportation are needed, a recommendation will be made to the Chief Executive to temporarily stop the Color Coding Scheme to give sufficient service for passengers, according to Gelito.

PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD oF CATICLAN GOT a NEW CHIEF, LT. CMDR. ALSOSA ASSIGNED aT CAPIZ

The Chief of the Philippine Coast Guard Caticlan Lt. Cmdr Terrence Alsosa has been assigned to Roxas City, Capiz.

Alsosa’s replacement, 33 year old Lt. Cmdr Jimmy Oliver Vingno, who was the former Chief of the PCG Roxas City, Capiz, formally took office on the 5^th of February 2013.

In an interview, Vingno said that Alsosa had been assigned to a different province in accordance to a “Rotation Policy.” Alsosa had served Aklan for 3 years.

According to Vingno, since Boracay is a popular tourist destination and his jurisdiction includes the whole province of Aklan, he considers his new task as a huge challenge.

He  stated that his primary focus will be the implementation of policies and regulation of boats to ensure the safety of passengers.

Vingno had been met by the high officials of Aklan province at the State of the Province Address of Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez on February 6, and a schedule had been made for him to make a courtesy call to the officials of Malay.

SB Malay staggered by the billion cost of underwater tunnel

An underwater tunnel project was formally presented before the council on yesterday’s SB session.

Present during the session was Istvan Tapai of Pharcos Philippine Incorporated who presented and explained the benefits of an underwater tunnel which will connect Caticlan to Boracay.

After hearing and learning the advantages that the project may give to the island, the council however was doubtful if they would accept the proposal.

It turned out that the project was very costly and that it is unclear if Pharcos or if there are any interested group and or investors that would be willing to shoulder the expenses to make this possible.

According to Tapai, it would be better if the local government itself will be spending for the cost so it would be directly owned by the municipality.

The council’s excitement however waned off after hearing that it would costs billions.

This is despite Tapai’s explanation that the LGU could save up 5 to 10 percent compare to the bridge that they have previously planned.

If made possible, the said tunnel would serve as the passage of vehicles from Caticlan to Boracay. This would cost 43 to 45 million dollars, which can be completed in a span of 6 to 9 months.

2ND MILLION VOLUNTEER RUN - SUCCESSFUL

The “Million Volunteer Run” at the beachfront on Sunday, February 10, was held successfully.

The event was organized by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Boracay-Malay.

 In an interview with PNRC Boracay-Malay Chapter Administrator, Marlo Shoenenberger, he said there were 1,700 registered participants on Sunday.

The current number of registered participants is about 143% higher compared to that of the previous year which was just at more than 700.

Allegedly, the target number of participants this year was 1, 200 runners, but the organizers were delighted because there was a huge turnout.

The Red Cross Boracay-Malay Chapter was also glad that all the runners safely finished the course in spite of the heat and exhaustion.

Meanwhile, the collected Registration Fee by the Red Cross Boracay-Malay will be divided into 4 at 25% each.

25% will go to the PNRC National, also to the Lifeguard Services in Boracay, and Red Cross Youth/RCY Program.

The remaining 25% will go to the operation of the Chapter and to those who assisted in the event.

This is the 2^nd Anniversary of the Million Volunteer Run.

Holy Week, won’t cause price increase on fish and vegetables in Boracay

There won’t be any increase on the prices of fish and vegetables on the coming Holy Week.

This is despite talks of impending price boost, as the days of penance for Roman Catholics starts off on Ash Wednesday.

During these days eating meat is prohibited.

However according to the major fish and vegetables markets on the island, like the past year, they are not expecting any cost increase due to the celebration.

And added that, if there will be any increase, they said, this won’t be caused by the Holy Week but of the unstable weather which greatly affects fishing.

Even vegetables sellers believe of the same, saying that the prices of their products depend only on the prices of the suppliers.

Meanwhile, despite the fact that meat is prohibited among the Catholics on this occasion, it was learned that pork and beef can still be widely purchased from the markets.

This is because even on a Good Friday there are those who still are buying it.

BORACAY PARAWS tO JOIN ILOILO PARAW REGATTA

Ten (10) Paraws from Boracay will join the Paraw Regatta at Iloilo.

The Paraws will be sent by the Malay and Department of Tourism (DoT) Boracay to the event to be held on the 17^th of February.

According to the DOT Officer Tim Ticar, the group which will represent Boracay and Malay will be heading to Iloilo on the 12^th of February.

In its plan to make the event in Iloilo international, according to Ticar the DoT will bring along foreign tourists from Boracay to ride the Paraws and enjoy the event.

Because of this, Ticar called for foreign tourists who are interested to ride the Paraws while the competition is being held, and that those interested should contact him as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Malay Mayor John Yap had promised to give assistance on the expenses of the team including transportation and food expenses.