COMELEC to hand out Voter’s Ids for Malay

Written by Gloria Villas

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will be releasing voter’s IDs for the town of Malay.

According to Malay COMELEC Officer II, Elma Cahilig, these are the voter’s IDs which have not been claimed since 2011. This includes the IDs of registered voters from 2007 until 2009.

Cahilig said the COMELEC will post the list of voter’s IDs which have not been claimed at public places.

Included in those places are outside the office of the COMELEC and at the Village Hall of Malay.

She also added that the mentioned list is ready to be sent for posting at Village Halls and other public places.

Furthermore, she reminded the public that these IDs are old voter’s IDs not yet the new IDs for the newly registered voters.

Cahilig advised the public to look at the lists to be posted and if their name is found, they should go to the office of the COMELEC Malay to claim their respective ID.

For those who cannot personally claim their ID, an authorized representative or relative should be sent together with a valid ID of the claimant to the COMELEC.

Meanwhile, COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez explained that the voter’s ID is a big help to voters since this is recognized by all government offices including banks in all legal transactions.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

2014, a huge challenge for Boracay’s tourism

Written by Christy Dela Torre

2014 will be a huge challenge for the island of Boracay, particularly in the tourism industry.

This is what SB Member and Committee on Tourism Chairman Jupiter Gallenero has said.

According to Gallenero, there are many things that should be given attention when it comes to tourism, more so that Boracay is considered the “Precious Jewel” of the country.

With the help of the Chief Executive and the Tourism Head of Malay changes for the better are slowly taking place.

The island started off with a successful Boracay Ati-atihan this past week as well as the arrival of cruise ships.

The SB Member also said that the ordinances relating to the vegetation areas will push on. In this way, he said, many will benefit from the good results of its implementation.

In line with this, the front beach has become more pleasant than the previous years.

Gallenero added that programs for an improved and sustainable tourism are already lined up.

The beaches around the island are set to be cleaned-up, and the terminal at the Tabon Port and even the Manoc-manoc port will be upgraded.

Gallenero believes that with the combined efforts of the LGU Malay and the Provincial Government, the island of Boracay will be more beautiful than ever.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Moratorium on issuance of Permit to Transport in Boracay, dropped due to fake PTTs

Written by Gloria Villas

Issuance of Permit to Transport of motorcycles in the island of Boracay will be temporarily suspended.

This is as the Local Government of Malay drops the moratorium and will be effective tomorrow, a Friday.

This followed after the LGU itself discovered that there are fake or doctored permit to transport and stickers of motorcycles in Boracay.

Senior Transportation Regulation Officer Cesar Oczon Jr. of the Municipal Transportation Office has confirmed this, saying that there are indeed some motorists who faked their documents thereby have freely entered the island.

Meanwhile, Oczon said that owners of apprehended units who committed three violations may have their PTTs revoked and will have a penalty.

Oczon added that they also had a temporary suspension last year because of the same reason, the fake and doctored permits.

The Transportation Officer again reminds of the deadline of processing for permit to transport today as the dropping of the moratorium will be effective tomorrow.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

DOT Boracay also studying the case of child pornography

Written by Gloria Villas

The case of child pornography is also being studied by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

According to DOT Officer-In-Charge Artemio “Tim” Ticar, they are thankful that there are no recorded incidents or reported cases of child pornography in the island of Boracay.

Nevertheless, their program and campaign for the protection of children in Boracay continues especially that the island is the usual destination of different tourists for vacation.

Ticar said that child pornography, which is happening in different areas, is possible to happen here since different people go to the island of Boracay.

This is why, allegedly, together with the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) and different agencies they are guarding and ensuring the safety of residents.

It was learned that different programs and regulations are being implemented by the local government of Boracay for the island to be more attractive so vacationers will visit it.

Child pornography is a kind of prostitution wherein the usual people involved are the youth with the Internet used as communication.

Those who are caught could be sued under the Republic Act No. 7610 or an act providing for stronger deterrence and special protection against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination and for other purposes.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

Caticlan and Cagban jetty port dilemmas, tackled at SB Malay’s session

Written by Jay-ar Arante

The Municipal Council of Malay, in its session yesterday, tackled the different difficulties met at the Cagban and Caticlan Jetty Ports.

This followed after the SB Malay invited Jetty Port Administrator Nieven Maquirang to explain the “No Sticker, No Entry Policy” that has lately arisen as one of the issues.

Aside from this, the dealings of the port’s security personnel to tourists have also been sited.

SB Members Rowen Aguirre and Frolibar Bautista also expressed their personal observations in and out the ports such as how its employees treat the tourists and patrons and its defective facilities.

The SB Malay wanted to improve the jetty ports and align it to an international standard.

Port Administrator Maquirang meanwhile, assured to give attention and act on the concerns raised by the councilors for the betterment of their service especially for the island of Boracay.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Unified rates of sea sports activities in Boracay, pushed

Written by Bert Dalida

Rates should be uniform.

This is what sea sports operators in Boracay are pushing in line with the proposal of a unified rate.

In a meeting with Malay Tourism Office (MTO) Officer Felix Delos Santos yesterday, members of the Water Sports Association of Boracay said, illegal commissioners will be deterred if the operators themselves will agree on a fixed rate.

They have been affected by the said commissioners’ over pricing for quite a while now.

Meanwhile they have confirmed that the unified rate has been implemented for about three weeks already.

Aside from the unified rates on sea sports activities, the coordinators also receives a 10 percent unified compensation.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Devotees, swamped Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival 2014

Written by Mackie Pajarillo

Thousand of devotees flooded the Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival 2014 yesterday.

People flocked the Kalibo Cathedral as early as 4 in the morning to attend the 7am field mass led by Kalibo Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc himself.

After the mass the “palapak” tradition followed. This is where an image of the Sto Niño is placed over the devotees head.

As the street dancing heightens, so is the visibility and security implemented by the Kalibo Police Station.

Meanwhile, Ati-atihan followers said that there are less people who joined the celebration this year.

This may be because of the effects of Super Typhoon Yolanda from which many have yet to recover.

This however did not stop others to celebrate Ati-atihan and join the procession and or parade also led by Bishop Tala-oc and the Arch Diocese of Kalibo.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Malay Sanitation Office, to tighten-up on issuance of sanitation permit

Written by: Jay-ar M. Arante

The sanitation office may become strict in giving sanitation permits to meat and fish vendors in the town of Malay.

This was after the problem on sanitation at the Malay Public Market at Caticlan Village occurred wherein the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Malay received a complaint from consumers because of broken down facility and not so clean place.

According to Malay Sanitation Inspector, Ma. Lyn Fernandez, they do not issue permit to vendors if they do not pass from their requirements which includes the cleanliness of the place where vendors sell their products.

Fernandez added that they continue to monitor including the people of Malay who sell fish and meat products.

Moreover, they strictly prohibit selling at places which are near unclean surroundings and where there are many animals.

In addition, another area monitored by the Sanitation Office is the “Talipapa Bukid” in the Island of Boracay where many complain that the said market is a bit unclean.

Furthermore, many vendors not given sanitation permit from the LGU Malay continue to sell at markets.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus