Friday, September 12, 2014

SB Malay request financial assistance from Sec. Singson for circumferential roads

Posted September 12, 2014
Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay pushes a resolution for the Ecotourism projects of the said town.

This pertains to the request of SB for a financial assistance from Sec. Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Hi-ways (DPWH).

It was learned that the municipality wants the DPWH to finance the construction and development of circumferential roads in mainland Malay because roads here in the municipality with Ecotourism project are still covered by the National Road.

Meanwhile Vice Mayor Wilbec Gelito referred the resolution to the Committee on Laws for a study.

LGU Malay is pushing to give actions to some other roads that are not covered by the national road in the town of Malay that until now has not been constructed.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

SB Malay ‘okays’ Grassroots Participatory Budgeting 2014

Posted September 11, 2014
Written by Jay-ar M. Arante 

The implementation of Grassroots Participatory Budgeting 2014 on its second and final reading has been approved by SB Malay councilmen.

This was after the request of Malay Mayor John Yap to the SB to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

This was also studied by the council headed by SB Member and Chairman of the Committee on Laws Rowen Aguirre.

Meanwhile a training or seminar will be held in line with the implementation wherein the LGU Malay itself will be in charge of choosing its participants.

Included in the TESDA skills training are Bread and Pastry Production, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Massage Therapy, Food & Beverage Servicing and House Keeping.

SP Aklan approves additional ambulance for PDRRMC

Posted September 11, 2014
Written by Gloria Villas

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Aklan recently approved during its 31st SP Regular Session having an additional ambulance for the province of Aklan.

The request brought before the SP in the form of an endorsement letter which was sent by Governor Joeben Miraflores for the approval and endorsement to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the purchase of one brand new ambulance vehicle for the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

Miraflores believed that it could be a big help for an immediate emergency response in the province.

Meanwhile, SP wouldn’t say it yet if there had been already a date for the purchase and if how much is the budget allocated for it.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Resolution for speeding up of Boracay Hospital expansion project to be restudied

Posted September 10, 2014
Written by Jay-ar  M. Arante

SB Malay is scheduled to restudy its resolution for the fast track of Boracay Hospital expansion project.

Last Tuesday at the SB Session in Malay the said resolution entered into incoming and referral which is also referred by Vice Mayor Wilbec Gelito to the Committee on Laws for rigorous study.

It will be recalled that the resolution was penned by SB Member and Chairman of the Committee on Laws Rowen Aguirre because of the slow project construction.

Such concern also made the Aklan Provincial Health Office and the Office of Governor worried for it.

In this regard, SB Malay is expected to conduct a public hearing and the concerned agencies and project contractor will be summoned.

Meanwhile, SB Malay is not certain about the project’s completion given that the construction is still on its phase 1, and the 2nd and 3rd phases are yet to be constructed.

PHITEX Buyers enjoyed island hopping and parasailing in Boracay

Posted September 10, 2014
Written by Bert Dalida

Philippine Travel Exchange Buyers (PHITEX) preferred island hopping and parasailing in Boracay.

DOT Boracay Tourism Sub-Office Assistant Leo Kristoffer Velete said, “30 tour operators and entrepreneurs from seven countries enjoyed the island of Boracay with such activities.”

It will be recalled that DOT 6 Regional Director Atty. Helen Catalbas said in a press release that “the PHITEX Buyers choose the island of Boracay because it is one of the famous tourist destinations.”

Recently, PHITEX tourists tried the different activities and visited some of the beautiful places in Boracay as part of their consumer promotion spearheaded by the Department of Tourism.

Meanwhile, Velete added that, “aside from island hopping and parasailing, some of the buyers choose the night out activities.”

Translated by Jay-ar M. Arante

Drainage declogging of LGU Malay and BIWC continues

Posted September 10, 2014
Written by Bert Dalida

Declogging operations continued Monday in front of Boracay Hospital that was hit by flashflood following the sudden heavy downpour in the island.

To lessen the flood problems in Boracay, the LGU Malay in cooperation with Boracay Island Water Company (BIWC) and Boracay Solid Waste Action Team (BSWAT) is now targeting the cleaning of drainage system particularly manholes.

It was recalled that the flooding that was experienced in some parts of Boracay was due to the clogging of the drainage system, wherein BRTF and LGU Malay also discovered that there are some illegal connections to the drainage, the reason why they also conducted a consultative meeting.

Meanwhile, BRTF is still waiting for the pumping station of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) being one of the mitigating measures and temporary solution to the flooding problem in Boracay.

Translated by Gloria Villas

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

BFP, requires resorts and hotels to have a Fire Exit Drill in Boracay

Posted September 9, 2014
Written by Gloria Villas

Attention to the resorts and hotels in Boracay.

Bureau of Fire and Protection Unit (BFPU) will now keep an eye and requires establishments in the island to have a Fire Exit Drill.

This was the striking message of BFP Boracay Chief Fire Inspector Stephen Jardeleza during the joint flag raising ceremony where he said, “They will have a strict monitoring to check all establishments every time they get a business permit.”

Furthermore, Jardeleza emphasize that it is one of the actions to improve the “fire safety measures” on the island especially for the forthcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2015.

Meanwhile, the BFP Chief also assures different programs in relation to fire safety inspection and emergency response.

He also extended his opinion about Boracay being one of the most visited islands in the world and ensuring the safety of its residents especially tourists.

On the other hand, BFP clarifies that regular fire drills provide building occupants with practice in moving promptly to the nearest exit.

Having this practice reduces the chances of panic in a real fire and improves the likelihood of everyone exiting the building safely.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Boracay Action Group recognized as Outstanding NGO of the year 2013

Posted September 9, 2014
Written by Bert Dalida

Philippine National Police (PNP) recognized the Boracay Action Group (BAG) as Outstanding Non Government Organization (NGO) of the year 2013.

Boracay Action Group Adviser/Consultant Leonard Tirol said that, “the award is supposed to be given last August 8, 2014 in line with the celebration of 113 years of Police Service of the PNP,  but there was no representative from the said office to receive the honor.”

However, during the joint flag raising ceremony yesterday, Tirol proudly says that the Boracay Action Group is already well-known at the regional and national level.

Meanwhile, Malay Mayor John Yap admitted that he is somehow disappointed because there was no invitation from the award winning body to notify them in order to receive the award, yet regardless of these circumstances he said that he is still grateful.

On the other hand, Police Regional Office VI also awarded Boracay Action Group as a supportive NGO for the year 2013.

Translated by Jay-ar M. Arante

Aklan PCSO office to answer indigents, PWDs needs

Posted September 8, 2014                 
Written by Gloria Villas

Indigent Aklanons will soon find it easier and faster to seek help from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) with the scheduled opening of its branch in the province of Aklan.

The PCSO branch based on Resolution No. 165 series of 2014 will be placed at the ground floor of the Provincial Capitol Annex Building, Capitol Compound Kalibo, Aklan.

In time with the branch opening on September 19, the PCSO will also conduct a medical mission from with Aklan’s senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to be given priorities.

The presence of the PCSO branch is also seen by Aklan officials to save hard-earned money and travel time for indigent Aklanons who no longer need to go to Iloilo or Manila to ask for financial help or processing of their papers for medical assistance.

Meanwhile, blessing and inauguration of the PCSO Office will be on September 19, 2014, according to the office of Provincial Governor Florencio T. Miraflores.

SP seeks Guv’s position on requests for deferment of 2015 General Revision implementation

Posted September 5, 2014
Written by Gloria Villas

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Aklan has forwarded requests of local government units to defer the implementation of Provincial Tax Ordinance No. 001, S., 2014 on general revision of base market values of real properties in Aklan supposed to be effective starting 2015.

The requests are embodied in Kalibo and New Washington Resolution including barangay resolutions of the Liga ng mga Barangay in New Washington and Barangay New Buswang in Kalibo.

All resolutions described Provincial Tax Ordinance No. 001, S., 2014 as unconscionable, oppressive and confiscatory and such resolutions requested this body to defer implementation or amend said ordinance that it may not be burdensome to taxpayers who were recently hit by Super typhoon Yolanda.

Meanwhile, SP emphasized that it has complied with all the procedural requirements prescribed by law in the Republic Act No. 7160. Section 219 of Local Government Code.

PHITEX’ marketing event to be held in Boracay

Posted September 5, 2014
Written by Bert Dalida

Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) will hold its marketing event today in Boracay.

This is part of their annual tour activities organized by the Tourism Promotions Board of DOT that highlight the country’s and provinces’ attractions through consumer promotions and travel trade business meetings.

DOT 6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas through a press release by the Aklan Provincial Tourism Office said that PHITEX buyers themselves chose Boracay, as their tour destination.

Following their itinerary, more or less 30 PHITEX participants will have an island hopping and water sports activities as part of their Pre-Event and Post-Event Tours in the country.