Instead of tax related topics, stakeholders’ dilemma on lands in Boracay raised at SP Aklan’s Public Hearing

Written by Gloria Villas

Instead of focusing on the public hearing for the Revised Schedule of Base Market in the province of Aklan, stakeholders from Malay and Boracay have raised the issue on land titles.

The SP Aklan in return has acknowledged the issue but has explained that the said matter can be tackled in another conference.

According to SP Member Rodson Mayor, stakeholders and tax payers must first understand why there is a General Revision on paying taxes and where it will go before going to the issues on land titles and rivalries.

Meanwhile, Boracay is considered distinct because of its huge establishments and buildings, thus there is a so called Special Base Valuation.

Based on the statement of the Provincial Assessor during the hearing, there will be a 90 to 400 percent tax increase in the island of Boracay depending on the types of properties.

The said General Revision of the Base Market Values was based on the law that states that every 8 to 10 years there should be a revision on the Base Market Values of lands – commercial, industrial, agricultural and residential.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

MoA for Boracay-Malay Bridge to undergo thorough inquiry, said SB Malay

Written by Jay-ar Arante

The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the proposed Boracay-Malay bridge project will undergo a thorough examination.

This is what Malay SB Secretary Concordia Alcantara has said following the committee hearing about the matter.

The said MoA is between Malay Mayor John P. Yap and the Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd.

According to Alcantara, they are just waiting for the mayor’s response on when Daewoo could possibly start its study.

It was learned that Daewoo will go through a series of studies to determine the technical and engineering design, environment and socio-economic aspects which includes the expenses for the project.

Moreover, the construction company will first examine the area where the bridge will be possibly constructed and will be the basis if it should push through.

Meanwhile, the mentioned Memorandum of Agreement is now being referred to SB Member Rowen Aguirre who chairs the Committee on Laws.

Translated by Shelah Casiano 

Formation of the Aklan Council for the ASEAN Integration 2015, hoisted to SP Aklan

Written by Gloria Villas

The ASEAN Integration will result into better products, industry development, higher standards of Education and higher level of skills.

This is what SP Member Atty. Plaridel Morania has pointed out as he promotes the formation of the Aklan Council for the ASEAN Integration 2015 to the provincial council or Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).

According to Morania the public needs to know the process of the ASEAN Integration because they are its beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Morania also said that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its investment promotion arm, Board of Investment (BOI), has recently conducted a forum together with the Department of Education (DepEd) to tackle the K-to-12 Basic Education Program.

This is among the forum’s objectives to give the public and other stockholders an update regarding the Industry Development Road Maps.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will form a unified body next year.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Area at Balabag main road closed for Flood Control Project, to reopen soon

Written by Bert Dalida

Good news to all drivers, commuters, and all those affected by the heavy traffic at Balabag main road.

ITP Construction Project Architect Victor Turingan has confirmed yesterday that the area at Balabag main road closed for Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA)’s Flood Control Project will reopen soon.

Turingan said that they are just waiting for the curing time of the road that they have earlier excavated to bury pipelines and has been cemented again.

The Architect meanwhile said that phase 2 of the project will follow and they will be digging up the road going to Boracay Island Water Company (BIWC)’s Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP).

He however assured that the area will be passable as they will conduct the work at night time and will cover it with steel sheets during the day.

At the meantime, the ITP Construction itself is responsible in controlling the traffic flow in the area.

The road is set to be reopened this 22^nd of March 2014.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Non-wearing of helmet by motorists, still rampant-LTO Aklan

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) Aklan admitted that there are still many motorists who do not wear helmet when driving.

This was emphasized by the LTO Aklan because of the continuous increase of motorists who do not follow the law.

It was learned that many of the motorists who do not wear helmet are minors which pose great danger.

The LTO clarified that if they catch motorists with a back rider and not wearing standard protective helmet, they can impose penalty.

Included in the penalty are, for the 1^st offense a penalty of P1, 500; for the 2^nd offense, a penalty of P3,000; P5,000 for the 3^rd offense; and a penalty of P10,000  and the confiscation of driver’s license for the 4^th offense.

On the other hand, the LTO is worried about the increase of motorists in Boracay including the problem of the non-wearing of helmet which could put these motorists in danger.

Meanwhile, the office of the LTO continues to remind motorists in the province to be careful in driving to prevent any accident in the streets.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

HRP Boracay gives reminder regarding Ash Wednesday celebration tomorrow

Written by Bert Dalida

Eating meat will be forbidden tomorrow.

This is what Father Nonoy Crisostomo of the Holy Rosary Parish (HRP) Boracay reminds the parishioners in line with the Ash Wednesday celebration, or what is known in local dialect as “Miyerkules-Badlis.”

Tomorrow will also be the beginning of the Lenten Season.

The Lenten Season is when Christians and Christians-to-be reflects on the purification of self, rejection of sins, and allowing oneself to live according to the teachings of Christ.

Father Nonoy meanwhile said that Ash Wednesday is an important day of fasting and abstinence, and those with Catholic faith are advised to refrain from eating meat, the whole day as possible.

The said celebration, through placing of ashes on the forehead, is also a reminder that we are sinners and must repent.

On the other hand, Father Nonoy said that those who cannot avoid eating meat can instead do charitable works such as helping others.

In line with this, the Ash Wednesday mass will be held at 6:30am tomorrow at the Holy Rosary Parish, while masses at Brgy. Yapak and Manoc-manoc Chapels will be at 7:30am.

Those who cannot attend the morning mass can attend the Novena Mass at 5:00 in the afternoon.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Expansion of Boracay Hospital, started

Written by Gloria Villas

Patients of Boracay Hospital will soon become comfortable.

This is because the expansion of Don Ciriaco S. Tirol Memorial Hospital (DCSTMH) or popularly known as Boracay Hospital has been started.

According to the Aklan Provincial Engineer’s Office, the mentioned hospital had been planned to be made bigger and will be made three-storey and an elevator will be put-up.

Meanwhile, according to Mollyn Flores of Boracay Hospital, while the movements of employees in the said hospital will be interrupted and slowed down because of the construction, Boracay Hospital was delighted with the move of the government.

Likewise, the hospital was also delighted with the giving of fund for the construction of the hospital by the Department of Health (DOH).

It was learned that P40 Million was set aside by the DOH for the construction which is also supported by the Local Government of Malay.

Flores said, if the construction of the hospital is finished, its level will also be raised.

According to Flores, the current status of the Boracay Hospital is at primary, this is the reason why patients are referred to the town of Kalibo since a hospital with a primary status is not allowed to admit patients with serious condition.

On the other hand, it was previously said by the Aklan Provincial Health Office (PHO) that DCSTMH will become a highly capable hospital because the DOH will put equipments for the different procedures that patients or clients need.

Included in the development will be the addition of staff so that patients will be given more attention not only those who are from Boracay but tourists as well.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

Provincial Government hastens construction of NBI Satellite Office in Aklan

Written by Jay-ar Arante

The Aklan Provincial Government is speeding up the construction of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)’s satellite office in the province.

This is to lessen the burden of Aklanons who still needs to go to Iloilo to process an NBI Clearance.

The provincial government is working alongside the Public Employment Service office (PESO) for a quicker processing and applications.

It was learned that some Aklanons who goes to Iloilo to obtain an NBI Clearance stays overnight or sleeps at sidewalks near the bureau’s office just to get early on the line.

PESO has previously released an advisory on the step-by-step process for NBI Clearance applicants.

The Provincial Capitol and the NBI will meanwhile use the said process until the new NBI System and its satellite office will be set in Aklan.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

2 international cruise ships, to visit Boracay this March

Written by Jay-ar Arante

Two international cruise ships are again scheduled to visit the island of Boracay this March.

According to DOT Boracay OIC Tim Ticar, the first ship, Costa Atlantica, will arrive on March 11 followed by MS Europa 2 on March 20.

The luxury ships are expected to carry with it over 2,500 passengers that intend to go on an island tour in Boracay.

This is MS Europa 2’s third arrival in the island; the first two were last January 9 and February 7.

The DOT on the other hand, is looking into a possible problem during low tides, where motorboats tend to congest at the Cagban Jetty Port and may cause some forms of delays.

Ticar added that the port will soon undergo a development which will be a huge benefit for tourists going in and out of the island.

Meanwhile, the Caticlan Jetty Port Administration is expecting Boracay to become a premier cruise ship destination because of the continuous visits on one of the world’s famous islands.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Father Nonoy Crisostomo of the HRP Boracay, glad of the support of the government for the Aetas of the island

Written by Bert Dalida

Father Nonoy Crisostomo of the Holy Rosary Parish (HRP) of Boracay was glad of the support of the government for the Aetas in the island.

On the ocular inspection held by the National Technical Working Group (NTWG) on the island on Friday, February 28, wherein the Ati Community at Tulubhan, Manoc-Manoc was also visited, Crisostomo said he was happy because of the action shown by the government especially concerning the land long yearned for by the said natives.

Aside from the visit of the NTWG to the Aetas, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas gave assurance that allegedly the complete force of the government will be on the watch for the security of the Aetas.

Meanwhile, the NTWG also visited the site where Ati Spokesperson Dexter Condez was slain. The Aetas, representatives of HRP Boracay, and individuals who support the Ati Community in the island, offered prayer at the area.

Translated/Edited Rodel J. Abalus

NTWG discovers some Boracay establishments not following the 25+5 easement rule

Written by Gloria Villas

About 93 percent of resorts in Boracay have followed the 25+5 meter easement rule.

The National Technical Working Group (NTWG) however said that the ocular inspection conducted from Stations 1 to 3 showed that there are still some establishments that haven’t abided with the 25+5 set back which is within the 5-year Boracay Redevelopment Plan.

In line with this, resort owners were given until March 15 to carry out the ordinance.

If they fail to follow the directive, the local government itself will demolish any structures within the easement rule.

The 25+5 meter easement rule is an ordinance by the government where no structures shall be built 30 meters from the shore line.

Meanwhile, the ocular inspection on the island was attended by Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez and the officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Kalibo International Airport, among the biggest airport in the country, says ANNA

Written by Jay-ar Arante

Airline Network News and Analysis website, www.anna.aero has named Kalibo International Airport among the biggest airport in the country.

Two Western Visayas airports made it to the top 6, where KIA was placed 4^th while Iloilo was at 6^th.

The top 6 included the gateways in Manila, Cebu at 2^nd, Davao 3^rd, and Cagayan de Oro at 5^th.

Based on ANNA’s statistical analysis, the Kalibo Airport has 30, 573 departing seats and 180 departing flights weekly with 6 operating airlines serving 13 destinations, non-stop.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) OIC-Manager Cynthia Aspera of the Kalibo Airport said that they have an ongoing construction of the run way.

The CAAP and the provincial government are also gearing up for more direct flights abroad.

Anna.aero is Airline Network News & Analysis an open website dedicated to outstanding airline network planning intelligence produced by a multi-disciplinary team.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, thanked establishments that abided on the 25+5 set back in Boracay

Written by Bert Dalida

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas extended his gratefulness to establishments that followed the 25+5 meter set back in Boracay.

In line with this, during an ocular inspection conducted by the National Technical Working Group (NTWG) yesterday morning, Roxas said that the island will have a more secure future because the deterioration of the white sands, which is Boracay’s asset, will be prevented.

The DILG Secretary also pointed out that the concrete structures of the long beach establishments contribute to beach erosion, and it is just right to prohibit them.

Meanwhile, Roxas reminds everybody of a continued cooperation for the betterment of the island.

The NTWG’s ocular inspection was part of the Boracay Redevelopment Project.

Translated by Shelah Casiano