Thieves being prepared for by the BTAC near Christmas time

Written by Gloria Villas

The Boracay Police is preparing for thieves.

According to Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) Chief of Intelligence and Operation Section, P/Insp. Keenan Ruiz, this early the police are making preparations for those who are planning to carry out crime especially stealing.

The preparation is because Christmas is near and the increase of foreigners and even local tourists going to Boracay is expected.

Allegedly, together with the increase in the number of tourists is the influx of tourists who have plans to steal from fellow tourists.

Related to this, Ruiz said the Boracay PNP will assign many “Secret Tourism Police” who will watch over crowded places.

Aside from this, the “Theft and Robbery” section at BTAC will still be on alert to focus on theft cases.

Meanwhile, Ruiz also reminded thieves and those who have plans to steal in Boracay that many noble jobs exist that they can apply for instead of involving themselves in crimes.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

Banks in Boracay, alert on possible recurrence of ATM scammers’ modus this December

Written by Christy Dela Torre

Aiming to deter the recurrence of ATM skimming incident last June, the banks in Boracay are now ensuring a tight inspection on their ATM machines.

More so that this is the month of December and many of their clients have money withdrawal transactions.

According to Metro Bank Boracay Branch, their head office sends them weekly reminders that include the security of the ATM.

They are also conducting a daily monitoring and check up of the machines, and ensuring that they are alert for any untoward modus.

Meanwhile, Metro Bank reminds its clients to cover the ATM Encrypting PIN Pad when punching in their pin numbers and to keep their receipts.

This is to keep the scammers from looking at possible ways to target them as a victim.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

DepEd’s Christmas Party cancellation in favors parents

Written by Jay-Ar M. Arante

Some parents are in favor of cancelling the Christmas Party in Elementary and Secondary schools in the Province of Aklan.

It is after typhoon Yolanda has hit Visayas, almost a month have past.

It is what after DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro set up a meeting in the Division Office of Aklan proclaiming that there will be no Christmas party in all the public Schools in Aklan.

Luistro added that Aklan was not just the only province that was affected by the typhoon Yolanda has no Christmas Party hence, the entire country.

It was also distinguished that many children fails to attend classes due to the damage left by the Yolanda in their houses.

Aside from this, the Department of Education (DepEd) was also having difficulties on those roof that has took off in some schools, and some that are wrecked due to the fallen trees.

Meanwhile, the DepEd imposed that instead of spending for food in the Christmas party in schools, it ought to be rendered to those that are in need or donate to the victims of the Super typhoon Yolanda.

Translated by Carla N. Suñer

Some motorboat operators in Boracay, complained about barges with no permits

Written by Jay-Ar Arante

A number of motorboat operators in Boracay complained about barges with no permits.

In a privilege hour during the SB Session on Tuesday, SB Member Jupiter Gallenero mentioned that they will be giving attention to this matter.

Based on their gathered information, the said barges docks at Boracay for several days causing no space for smaller boats that are also shipping other supplies to the island.

The council is wondering why these barges can make an entry into the island without a permit from LGU Malay.

Gallenero explained that the said vessels are not from Malay but from other municipalities.

In line with this, the SB Malay is proposing to pass an ordinance to stop this illegal activity in Boracay.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Business Violators in Boracay, to be interdicted to operate next year

Written by Alan C. Palma Sr.

Beginning on January 2, establishments that have received Notice of Violation that has failed to comply with the infringed ordinance will not be given Business Permit next year.

It is stated from the Executive Order No. 14 of LGU Malay, wherein it will be based on the Certificate of Compliance.

The said EO refers to those that has no Building Permit and Occupancy Permit and is included to those that will not be given permit or even to process the renewal.

The regulation was said to be strictly implemented wherein it consists of getting the Sanitary Permit and Health Cards of the employees in Boracay.

Although there has been a slow process and have caused hustle to the employees this year, the LGU Malay calls for its early processing.

Meanwhile, the Boracay Redevelopment Task Force assures the consistency of the distribution of the Certificate of Compliance to the Establishments that are continuously doing the self-correction in their violations.

The Executive Order aims to take the cooperation of every establishment in order to boost the tourism industry in Boracay.

Translated by Carla N. Suñer

MDRRMC, to conduct bloodletting activity in Malay tomorrow

Written by Jay-Ar Arante

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) will be conducting a bloodletting activity in Malay tomorrow.

This is part of their continuous advocacy for the disaster preparedness of Malay and Boracay.

The MDRRMC will work alongside the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Boracay-Malay Chapter together with PRC Kalibo.

The agency targets to have the first responders like the Malay Disaster Rescue Team, Local Government Unit, National Agencies and NGOs to take part in the activity.

Part of the process is the assessment of donors if they are qualified to donate blood.

In line with this the MDRRMC reminds those who are planning to donate about the don’ts such as alcohol intake, lack of sleep, those under medications, and has cough and flu.

Meanwhile, the bloodletting activity will start tomorrow at 9 in the morning until 3pm at the Malay SB Session Hall.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

10 wheeler trucks that still escapes Boracay, subject for the investigation of SB Malay

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The SB Malay will conduct an investigation regarding the 10 wheeler trucks that has no permit, but still managed to escape the Island of Boracay.

In a privilege speech in the SB Session early Tuesday, SB member Jupiter Gallenero said that the said 10 wheeler trucks have violated the local ordinance of Malay.

It was alarmed with the information that there is an alleged issuance of permit to the operator to enter Boracay.

According to Gallenero the said trucks are coming from other towns that freely come in the Island without permit to transport.

For now the SB Malay wants to figure out from the transportation officer of the Island on how come it does happen even without a permit and an enough document.

It was anticipated that the 10 wheeler trucks are carrying construction supplies, sand, cement, and steel bars for the construction of the establishments particularly in Barangay Yapak.

Meanwhile, the SB Malay is going to conduct an investigation regarding the illegal transportation.

Translated by Carla N. Suñer

Holy Rosary Parish Boracay, ready for the night masses

Written by Bert Dalida

The Holy Rosary Parish (HRP) in Boracay is now ready for the nine-day series of night masses known as “simbang gabi.”

In fact, one of the four candles on the advent wreath was already lit last week indicating the beginning of advent or the coming of the Messiah.

According to Father Nonoy Crisostomo of HRP Boracay, the said candles, which are colors pink and violet, symbolize the four-week-waiting before the 25th of December.

Father Crisostomo meanwhile confirmed the schedule of masses for the coming evening masses.

He said the masses will be conducted at 4 in the morning from December 16 to 24, the eve of Christmas.

The influx of parishioners is also expected, and so Father Nonoy advices the public to bring with them extra chairs or go to church as early.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

DTI Aklan, gives reminder to toy consumers this Christmas

Written by Jay-ar Arante

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Aklan gives reminder to those that are going to buy toys this Christmas season.

According to DTI Aklan, the consumers must ensure the safety of the toys if it is permissible to be used by the children.

It is in accordance to the toys that are being sold right now are those that carries Toxic metals such as, antimony, arsenic, chromium, lead and mercury which are hazardous for the children.

The DTI ensures the monitoring to avoid the selling of the said toys.

It was recognized from the Ecowaste Coalition that almost 100 toys are carrying lead which is a brain damaging toxin that causes mental retardation learning difficulties, and lower intelligence quotient scores.

In addition it may also cause a child to delay its growth, anemia, hearing problem, and damage of the kidney stone.

In the other hand, the outspread of the sellers of such toys that contains lead elevates in the markets in the Province.

Translated by Carla N. Suñer

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, to Visit Aklan for Monitoring and Relief Operations

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

Department of Interior and Local Government Unit (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas is scheduled to visit the province of Aklan.

According to the Aklan Governor’s office, joining Roxas in the monitoring is the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) and a private sector of the country.

Roxas is also expected to visit the town of Aklan which was heavily affected by super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) for relief operations.

Damaged infrastructure and livelihood in Aklan allegedly exceeded three (3) billion pesos during the typhoon while thirteen (13) people were reported to have died.

Currently, preparations by the province for the arrival of DILG Secretary Roxas on Tuesday December 3, is in full swing.

Translated by Rodel Abalus

SOCE Submission in Malay comes no dilemma

Written by Gloria Villas

The submission of the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) comes with no problem in Malay.

It is what Malay COMELEC Officer II Elma Cahilig has confirmed.

According to her, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) did not have problem in the submission of the expenses that has been spent by the winning candidates on the previous election. 

The distinctive violation in serving the SOCE were the lost receipts of the donor, no identification numbers (TIN) of the contributor, no personal signature of the candidate and some lost receipts of the expenditure.

Meanwhile, in accordance the Section 11 of the Omnibus election Code, the winning candidate will be disallowed to take over of the position once a SOCE is not submitted. 

It is stated in Omnibus Election Code that all the candidates must submit their SOCE to the COMELEC, 30 days before the end of the election.

It is also in the said Election code that the SOCE must be submitted with the whole, factual and itemized statement and the entire contribution that’s been accepted as well as the candidate’s expenses for the election.

It will be recalled that at around 5:00 in the afternoon on the 27th of November, that the submission of the SOCE to the COMELEC has ended.

Translated by Carla N. Suñer