Holy Rosary Parish Boracay, Burgled, Donation Box Ransacked

Written by Bert Dalida

Poverty is not a reason to steal.

This was the statement of Fr. Edwin Chiu in his homily on Thursday morning, October 3 about the alleged burglary at the Holy Rosary Parish Boracay and the ransacking of the donation box.

It was learned that the incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon after Fr. Chiu and company had finished lunch.

The padlock of the donation box was destroyed and the money inside was stolen by an unknown suspect or suspects.

However, they were confident that the stolen money was just of small amount since they just opened the donation box a few days ago to get its content in order to record.

Nevertheless, they were disappointed because of the incident.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

Boracay, possible venue for ASEAN Chief Justice Convention in 2015

Written by Gloria Villas

It is possible that the ASEAN Chief Justice Convention 2015 will be held in Boracay.

This is what Department of Tourism Boracay OIC Tim Ticar has gladly shared, after talking to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno when the latter visited the island last week.

According to Ticar, he along with Sereno hopes that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN Law Associations, and ASEAN Supreme Court Justices convention will be held on the island.

In line with this, the DOT and the Chief Justice plans to conduct an inspection in resorts and facilities on the island as part of the preparation.

Meanwhile, the convention is expected to he attended by 10 Asian Nations which includes Laos, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Indonesia, Mynamar, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

The said conference aims to reinforce the judicial cooperation and collaboration of Chief Justices in Asia.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Boracay PNP: No syndicate behind begging children in Boracay

Written by Gloria Villas

The Boracay PNP believes that there is no syndicate behind the children who are begging in the island of Boracay.

Boracay PNP Deputy Chief Police Inspector Fidel Gentallan, based on their statistics, said, that the number of these begging children is not that high.

Gentallan however assured that they are still giving this case a serious attention, or any other case related to this.

Meanwhile, Gentallan added that the Municipality already has a plan of action for this matter and the programs for its prompt resolve are now ready.

They just need the full cooperation of the DSWD and other concerned agencies.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Boracay PNP focuses on theft cases in Boracay these “ber” months

Written by Gloria Villas

The Boracay PNP is now giving more attention to theft cases in the island.

According to Boracay PNP Deputy Chief Police Inspector Fidel Gentallan, they are continuously conducting a massive operation and monitoring.

This is in line with the start of the ber months and super peak season.

Beefing up the force, the Boracay Police deployed their personnel in civilian uniforms and secret tourist marshals to monitor against ill-intentioned individuals.

Even so, Gentallas still warns the public to be vigilant enough, and to immediately report any related incident.

The Police Deputy is also thankful that there were no major theft cases in Boracay.

Translated by Shelah Casaino

Boracay Ati Community again denounced for the death of Dexter Condez

Written by Bert Dalida

Boracay Ati Community was dismayed, regarding the wreck less death of Dexter Condez.

7 months have passed, but the justice that they allegedly hoping for, was already cast out.

It is determined through the Ati Community Facebook that the warrant of arrest for the suspect in the person of Daniel Celestino was turned down early Wednesday.

In fact, the said community believes that Celestino is hiding, for the reason that they are now proclaiming justice, for the rapid arrest of the suspect.

It will be remembered that the incident of killing happened early February 22, while Condez is walking on his way to the Village at Sitio Lugutan, Manoc-manoc.

The said victim was said to be the spokesman of the resident of BATO or Boracay Ati Tribal Organization, who have fought for the ancestral domain of the Aetas in Boracay.

Translated by Carla N. Suñer

Municipal Office of Malay plans to take action on the begging of children in Boracay

Written by Jay-ar Arante

The Municipal office of Malay plans to take action with regards to the problem on the begging of children in Boracay.

According to Balabag Barangay Captain Lilibeth Sacapaño, the cooperation of the public and the stakeholders is in need particularly that the (DSWD) Department of Social Welfare and Development is lacking of enforcement.

Although a social worker is added in the said office, they are still in need of a specific time for the said issue.

Hence, Barangay Captain Lilibeth denies with the issue, that the said children were not treated to the vegetation area of the Island.

However, she believes that the tourism is a special case for Boracay, and must cherish.

Translated by Carla N. Suñer

Balabag Village, plans to attend The Vigil of The former BFI President Loubelle Cann

Written by Bert Dalida

Balabag Village recognized the contribution of Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) former President Loubell Cann to Boracay Island.

According to Balabag Village Captain Lilibeth Sacapaño, the Balabag Council will attend the vigil for the former BFI President and give the plaque they had prepared if her remains will be brought to Tonglen Beach Resort, Boracay Island.

Currently, the remains of Cann are still at the Lung Center in Manila where she passed away on Sunday, September 29 because of a lung ailment.

Meanwhile, even though the Village Captain did not give details she pointed out that Cann had many accomplishments as a President of BFI.

Loubell Cann was the President of BFI for three (3) terms, and more or less ten (10) years as a Board of Director.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

Stray dogs digging through trash, still roams the streets

Written by Bert Dalida

The authorities are doing the best they can to solve the problems with garbage in Boracay.

These include the strict implementation of waste segregation and the early garbage collection.

However, stray dogs that digs into bags of trash waiting to be collected, causes another problem and nuisance.

The ravaging would usually leave the bags torn apart with its contents scattered on the streets making an unpleasant scene.

“Felix” who’s been working as a security guard in the island, also expressed his troubles during his encounters with the stray dogs that he would often chase away from the piled bags of trash.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) reminds the public on being responsible pet owners in a conducted activity on Rabies Free Island in Boracay this past week.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

DOT, declared a week of Tourism Accreditation in Capiz

Written by Jay-ar Arante

In view with the celebration of the tourism week in Capiz, the Department of Tourism (DOT) declares a week of Tourism Accreditation.

According to DOT Boracay Officer-in-charge Tim Ticar, the said event aims to introduce and recommend all the tourism establishments to follow the World Class facilities service of the said province.

He added that the said Accreditation was supported by the Provincial Unit of Capiz and Provincial Tourism Office.

As a result of the 1 (one) week occasion, Capiziños’ displayed variety of shows that are related to tourism, eco-cultural tour and interactive exhibits.

Hence, the said activity was organized by the Provincial Government of Capiz, through the efforts of Provincial tourism and Cultural affairs Office (PTCAO), and with the  participation of Department of Tourism Region 6 (DOT -6).

Translated by Carla N. Suñer

DOH Asec. Tayag, delighted that the island of Boracay is rabies free

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The status of Boracay Island as “rabies free” delighted DOH Assistant Secretary, Enrique Tayag.

It was learned that the Island of Boracay was declared by the Department of Health (DOH) “rabies free” because there had been no case of rabies for three (3) consecutive years here.

“World Rabies Day” was held on Saturday, September 28 and as a celebration, a program was held in Boracay by different national agencies in the country which included the World Health Organization (WHO), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and other private sectors.

At the event, Boracay was commended for being rabies free and its three (3) villages were given awards.

In much gladness over the development, the DOH Assistant Secretary presented three (3) dances from campaign activities he popularized against diseases.

Meanwhile, Mayor John Yap was glad over the received accolade and promised that he would not allow rabies to enter the island.

Based on information, only the Islands of Guiamaras and Boracay are the first areas in Western Visayas declared as rabies free.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

First day of gun ban in Boracay, detailed by P/Isnp. Gentallan

Written by Mackie Pajarillo

The first day of implementation of the gun ban has an individual arrested in Cebu by violating it.

In Boracay however, no cases has been recorded, as it was peacefully executed.

This is according to Boracay PNP Deputy Chief Police Inspector Fidel Gentallan, following the first day of the gun ban implementation.

This is in relation to the upcoming Baranggay and SK Elections which will be held on October 28^th.

The Boracay PNP had placed the checkpoints at 1am to correspond the day it should be carried out.

Gentallan added they did not put the said checkpoints during day time, as it could impede the traffic flow.

Implementing it during the night time or late hours also has a dual purpose.

This means the checkpoint isn’t only for the gun ban but for the heightened monitoring against ill-intentioned individuals.

Meanwhile, the Boracay PNP Officer calls upon the public to cooperate and work with police force to maintain peace and order in Boracay.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Children hurling rocks at buses in Kalibo, worries Aklan Governor Miraflores

Written by Jay-ar Arante

Aklan Governor Joeben Miraflores is worried about incidents where children are hurling stones and or rocks at buses in Kalibo.

According to the Governor, they have received a number of complaints regarding this matter.

Some of the cases left the buses’ windows shattered into pieces and in some, passengers were actually hit.

This has also caused an alarm to Department of Tourism OIC Tim Ticar, more so that most of the victims were tourists.

Ticar added that this could affect the tourism in the Province, particularly of Boracay.

It was learned that some of the tourists’ bus were travelling from the Kalibo International Airport with vacationers bound for Boracay.

Meanwhile, Miraflores calls upon all concerned agencies and local government units to work together for the said problem to be solved.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

BTAC, on alert to the beginning of the gun ban on midnight

Written by Jay-ar Arante

In the beginning of the gun ban this midnight, the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) is also now on alert.

This is in relation to the upcoming Barangay Elections on October 28.

According to Boracay PNP Chief PS/Insp. Joeffer Cabural, same as they did on the National Elections last May this year, the strict security will still be implemented.

In relation to this, the BTAC conducts check point in the roads of Boracay.

Cabural apparently said that the PNP, AFP, law enforcement at the Comelec Community was the only allowed carrying firearms.

Comelec   released an order that should be pursued to avoid repentant in the end.

Whereas, the Aklan Provincial Police Office (APPO) , proclaims their   foremost preparedness.

Therefore, the said gun ban will end on November 22,  2 weeks after the election.

Translated by Carla N. Suñer

Cagban jetty port, planned to be made bigger next year Accdg. to gov. Miraflores

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Cagban Jetty Port at Manoc-Manoc village is planned to be made bigger and beautiful.

This was confirmed by Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores in a meeting held on Wednesday, September 25.

During the meeting, attended by concerned agencies on the arrival of cruise ships on October 17 in Boracay, Miraflores said the plan is to improve the jetty port and to make it comparable with that of Caticlan.

Allegedly, the development is planned to start in the next year as preparation for the arrival of cruise ships in the waters of Boracay.

A souvenir shop is also planned to be put up at the port and that it will be similar to those seen at airports in the country.

It was previously mentioned by Jetty Port Statistician and Assistant to the Administrator Mars Bernabe that the port will be enclosed and air-conditioned.

Included in the plan is the inclusion of a check-in and other facilities for tourists.

Meanwhile, Miraflores also said that everything will be done for the beautification of the province of Aklan and the Island of Boracay.

Translation/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus