DOT Boracay takes pride for topping ARTA Excellence Award

Written by Jay-ar Arante

The Department of Tourism Boracay is proud for having bagged the top place in ARTA Excellence Award.

According to DOT Boracay Officer-in-Charge Tim Ticar, they came in first with a rating of 93.64 which was followed by NSO Kalibo with 92.3.

Ticar said, the award was personally handed to them by Civil Service Commission Chairman Francisco Duque.

Also present during the occasion were Regional Directors of the National Government Agencies, which made the directors of the awardees even prouder.

The DOT OIC added that he had no idea that their job was being monitored and their services to tourists were examined.

These he said were the basis to obtain the said award.

Ticar expressed gladness for winning and promised that the department will perform even better.

Those who were awarded yesterday also include LTO Capiz, DBP Bacolod, and GSIS Bacolod and others with a 90% rating.

The ARTA Excellence Award recognizes agencies that display exemplary performance in dealing with their clients when it comes to services and demeanor.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

MANILA WATER FOUNDATION GAVE P300, 000.00 tO NABAOY VILLAGE

Written by: Alan Palma Sr.

Three hundred thousand pesos (P300, 000.00) was given to Nabaoy Village by the Manila Water Foundation.

During the turnover ceremony of the Nabaoy Water Supply System of the Boracay Island Water Company (BIWC) on Thursday, September 12, Nabaoy Village Captain Pablo Claud, was very thankful after the mentioned donation was handed over to him.

The donation could be used by Nabaoy to purchase water meter for the water supply system.

Morever, the management of the donation, in order for the village to benefit from it, depends on the residents of Nabaoy.

Manila Water Foundation Executive Director, Carla May Kim and BIWC COO, Ben Manosca, together with some local officials of Malay and province of Aklan, personally handed the donation.

On November the previous year, “Samahan ng Maliliit na Magniniyog at Nangangalaga ng Kagubatan ng Nabaoy” Multi-purpose Cooperative or SAMMAKANA was also the beneficiary of two hundred thousand (P200, 000.00).

Naboy Village is the sole source of water supply of the town of Malay and the Island of Boracay.

Translated/Edited by: Rodel J. Abalus

Power Interruptions in Boracay, explained by AKELCO

Written by: Christy Dela Torre

The Aklan Electric Cooperative or AKELCO explains the power interruptions experienced in the Island of Boracay recently.

According to AKLECO Boracay Engr. Wayne Bocala, they are having on-going and programmed transfers of posts and repair of electric lines in the island, which are being done separately.

They are nonetheless trying their best to lessen these disruptions.

In fact, yesterday’s scheduled power interruption was postponed and moved next week, as their operation cannot be covered in a day alone.

Bocala also warned of sudden blackouts, but this however isn't from AKELCO itself, he said, but rather it is from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

In line with this, Bocala assured that they are performing their job and that their office is open for public inquiries in relation to the power interruptions in the island.

Translated by: Shelah Casiano

"TEXT2TEACH" LAUNCHING iN tHE ISLAND, BEING THOROUGHLY PREPARED FOR bY DEPED

Written by: Jay-ar M. Arante

The upcoming launch of the “Text2Teach” project of the Ayala Foundation on October is thoroughly being prepared for by the Division of Aklan and the District of Malay.

According to Public District Supervisor Jesie S. Flores, the launch will be attended by VIPs of the Ayala Foundation and some high ranking officials of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Flores said that the launching will be a big event in the District of Malay because of the foundation’s sharing of the project which has a big role to young students.

He added that the teachers, who will be teaching “Text2Teach” to grade five and grade six students, will need to be given thorough training.

Some of the things to be used on the project are a mobile phone to be used by the teacher, one (1), one (1) prepaid SIM card, and one (1) 29-inch colored television.

Meanwhile, Flores was delighted since all the elementary schools of Malay are including in the project.

The "Text2Teach" is a program that brings educational content to public schools in the elementary by means of video downloaded by means of Short Messaging System (SMS).

Translated/Edited by: Rodel J. Abalus

DIOCESAN SOCIAL ACTION COMMISSION oF KALIBO, AKLAN SUPPORTS "EDSA TAYO"

Written by: Bert Dalida

The “Edsa Tayo” a mass gathering at Edsa as a petition to junk the controversial pork barrel slated for Wednesday, September 11 is supported by the Diocesan Social Action Commission of Kalibo, Aklan.

This was confirmed by Diocesan Social Action Commission Director Reverend Father Ulleysses Dalida.

While the activity is being supported, the mentioned director clarified that they did not organize a rally at the town of Kalibo to be held on Wednesday.

Instead, they will show support by means of prayer.

Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines President, Jose Palma said in a report that expression of solidarity is their support for the “Edsa Tayo.”

Translated/Edited by: Rodel J. Abalus

SB Malay, to look into BLEST Summit Mechanical Industry’s proposal again

Written by: Jay-Ar Arante

The Municipal Council of Malay will be reviewing BLEST Summit Mechanical Industry’s proposal on how to resolve the problems on plastic waste in Boracay.

According to SB Member Danilo Delos Reyes, they would want to see the actual process, and to know why BLEST has chosen to first implement it in the island.

BLEST’s Dante Diamante and his group had previously laid this proposal last year, with an objective to resolve Boracay’s dilemma with plastic wastes.

The said machinery costs 140 million pesos per set.

Delos Reyes added that because it is quite expensive, they are unsure as to when it can be implemented.

Meanwhile, SB Member Rowen Aguirre said that this should be presented to the Solid Waste Management team for more attention.

In line with this, many Malaynons and people from other places in the country have become interested with the mentioned technology; others are showing excitement of the possible solution for plastic waste problems in the island of Boracay.

Translated by: Shelah Casiano 

Illegal drugs in Boracay, scrutinized by PNP

Written by: Jay-ar Arante

The Philippine National Police pays attention to the illegal drugs in the Island.

According to Aklan Provincial Office Public Information Officer PO3 Nida Gregas, this activity can’t be put off, but their trying give emphasize to this because Boracay is a tourist destination.

For now, the PNP, the Boracay Tourists Police, and the Government of Aklan are focusing on this matter and are trying to somehow eradicate this illegal activity.

Meanwhile, Gregas added that the 20 bicycles that were given to the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center are being used in areas that the patrol cars cannot reach.

The PNP also plans to re-enforce the BTAC.  

Earlier this Monday, the Boracay PNP and the Provincial Intelligence Branch Operatives in Barangay Balabag, conducted a buy bust operation that resulted to the arrest of 2 men.

Tranlsated by: Carla Suñer/Shelah Casiano

FORMER BORACAY PNP POLICE CHIEF, POLICE CHIEF INSPECTOR CHRISTOPHER PRANGAN, COULD BE CHARGED bY D'MALL

Written by: Bert Dalida

The former Chief of the Boracay PNP, Police Chief Inspector Christopher Prangan could possibly be charged.

The lawyer of D’Mall was set to go to the Boracay PNP station to get a copy of the police report regarding the complaint by D’Mall’s security guards.

It was learned that Prangan complained on Saturday evening, September 7 to the mentioned security guards.

Allegedly, Prangan ordered security guard Jun Bacarro to remove the garbage at the path of Prangan and companions going to the Grand Boracay Resort.

According to the report, Prangan got angry when the security guard did not do what he wanted until he introduced himself as the former chief of the Boracay PNP.

Prangan was reported to be under the influence of alcohol when the incident happened wherein he cursed the mentioned security guard and his companion, and warned that he would use his influence so that the licenses of the security guards would not be re-newed.

Aside from their testimony, the security guards also showed the copy of a security surveillance camera where Prangan was seen kick garbage at the area.

Translated/Edited by: Rodel J. Abalus

Boracay Action Group, recognizes Island's Life Guards’ heroism

Written by: Bert Dalida

The Boracay Action Group acknowledges the heroism of the volunteers in the island.

During yesterday’s Joint Flag Raising Ceremony, Life Guard Supervisor Mike Labatiao himself handed over the Samaritan Award to the life guard volunteers.

This is in line with their rescue operations this past month.

Held at the Balabag Plaza, the volunteers were called out to individually receive their certificates.

The following were awarded: Albert Moronio, Teody Colindres, Halim Dica, Ednil Espares, Gregorio Maming, Mark Ortega, and Godofredo Sacapaño.

Aside from the life guard volunteers, the bravery of the members of the Malay Auxiliary Police and the Philippine Coastguard were also recognized.

Also present during the ceremony and giving of awards were Island Administrator Glenn Sacapaño and BAG Adviser Leonard Tirol.

Translated by: Shelah Casiano

BORACAY PNP JOINED tHE BEACH CLEAN-UP oN SATURDAY

Written by: Bert Dalida

Brooms and garbage bags were held by the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) when they trooped to the shore of Station 1 Boracay on Saturday, September 07.

This was because they joined the beach clean-up of the BFI or Boracay Foundation Incorporated.

According to PO3 Christopher Mendoza of the Police Community Relations Section of the Boracay PNP, they were only able to collect a small amount of garbage because the Village of Balabag had cleaned up earlier.

Mendoza said that helping the BFI, and as a preparation for the upcoming international coastal clean-up, is part of their stand as nature inclined Police.

He also added that they are ready to join activities of any organization as long as it is for the community.

Some Members of the Bureau of Fire, Boracay Island Water Company (BIWC) and other volunteers from the island also joined in the beach clean-up.

Translated/Edited by: Rodel J. Abalus

BFI, ensures Boracay’s preparedness for Christmas season

Written by: Mackie Pajarillo

The Boracay Foundation Incorporated makes sure that the island of Boracay is ready to cater to tourists.

This is what BFI President Jony Salme has said in relation to the approaching Christmas season.

The “ber” months have already started and the influx of more tourists is anticipated.

According to Salme, the Boracay Action Group (BAG) is always prepared, and, like the past years, are conducting conferences and or meetings to gear up the island for this busy period.

In line with this, Salme in behalf of the stakeholders in Boracay, is expecting for the island to stay as “safe and ready” for the tourists.

Translated by: Shelah Casiano