Bamboo wind and wave breaker in Boracay removed upon entering the Southwest monsoon

Posted October 17, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The beach front of Boracay will be clear again once the wind and bamboo wave breakers will be removed.

Said breakers in station 1 beach front will soon be removed by the Boracay Redevelopment Task Force (BRTF) and establishment owners after the Habagat or Southwest monsoon and the coming in of Amihan season or Northwest monsoon.

According to BRTF, they will start removing the breakers after the Habagat.

Wave breakers are used to protect the establishments during Habagat against strong winds while bamboo wave breakers are to protect beach front establishments from sand erosion.

Meanwhile PAGASA officially declared the coming of Amihan season which also the bases of the Department of Tourism (DOT) as the start of peak season on the island of Boracay.

CAAP preparing for Ebola; assures passengers not to worry

Posted October 17, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

Officials at Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Kalibo say they are following from the Centers for Disease Control and federal customs and border protection officials to identify passengers displaying possible symptoms of communicable diseases such as Ebola.

According to CAAP General Manager Cynthia Aspera, the passengers should not have to worry since that Kalibo International Airport (KIA) are urging screenings at all of the state's international airports as a preventative measure.

Aspera said, “KIA conducted 24 hours of quarantine and as expanding airport examinations to guard against the spread of the deadly disease.”

She added, “It's important also to be vigilant, but not afraid.”

Meanwhile, Aspera refused to give her statement about the preparation of Caticlan Airport.

It will be recalled that DOH Assistant Secretary Dr. Eric Tayag recently concluded “National Ebola Virus Disease Summit-scarce” in the country and recommends travel restrictions against the deadly disease.

Translated by Gloria Villas

SB Malay proposed reduction of service vehicle of hotels and resorts in Boracay

Posted October 16, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

SB Malay has proposed reduction of service of hotels and resorts vehicles in Boracay.

This is what the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay sees to relieve the heavy traffic flow on the island which has been discussed, Tuesday, during the 32^nd regular SB Session under the Calendar of Business for 2nd reading.

Based on his proposal, SB Member and Chairman of the Committee on Laws Rowen Aguirre said that he wants that a small resort should only have one unit of vehicle, while in the medium resort with 50 or 100 hotel rooms should have three to six units and four to eight units for large resorts.

It can be pointed out that many establishments on the island have service vehicles that cause heavy traffic flow, a reason for the LGU Malay to act upon.

Aside from vehicles of resorts and hotels, SB Malay is also planning to regulate private vehicles in Boracay based on the municipal traffic ordinance.

Meanwhile, said issues were rescheduled to be discussed next week also to determine the council’s decision for Aguirre's proposal for implementation.

SP suspends resolution on TB Control Program in Aklan

Posted October 16, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) temporarily suspends the resolution on TB Control Program in Aklan.

During the SP Regular Session yesterday, the council agreed that it will be deferred or postponed due to some consideration of certain things.

Meanwhile, it will be recalled that the said resolution which was sponsored by SP Member Nelson Sta. Maria aims to strengthen and adopt measures and systems to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the Local TB Control Program in the province.

On the other hand, it is also expected that the government will have a different plan the same as putting a Multi-Drug Resistant TB Satellite Treatment Center at Dr.  Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital.

SB Malay to investigate the operation of a party boat in Boracay

Posted October 15, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay wants to investigate the operation of a party boat in the island Boracay.

SB Member Jupiter Gallenero said on his privilege speech during the 32^nd SB Session in Malay on Tuesday that there is a boat owned by a travel and tour in Boracay partying with live acoustic band and serving foods and drinks while on the island hopping activity.

Gallenero also asserted that it is a violation to the ordinance of the LGU Malay.

It was realized that such party is dangerous to the guest drinking on the boat, aside from the worries that their waste or garbage can fall into the sea.

As of press time, Gallerno wants to know if who owns the party boat for immediate action.

The LGU Malay is yet to call the attention of the Municipal Auxiliary Police (MAP) to monitor and stop the party boat’s operation.

Rise in stray dog population worries residents and tourists in Boracay

Posted October 15, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Even tourists are struggling to rid the island of Boracay of cattle menace on beach where stray dogs are emerging as a bigger nuisance for the people.

Thus, they were appealing the Local Government Unit to give action to the continued proliferation of dogs wandering around Boracay especially that stray dogs menace is also a threat to their lives.

Some says, “A part that it is unkempt and appears to be no anti-rabies injection, it was too frustrating that such dogs add pollution because it just urinate around the beach.”

Furthermore, there was a report that “There were some tourists also who allegedly chased by dogs while walking on the beach.”

Meanwhile, according to a report there are more than ten dogs in the island that are freely and simultaneously prowling the beach especially at night, while some tourist also feed them.”

Stakeholders now also called the attention of authorities given that Boracay is considered as one of the paramount tourist destination in the world.

It will be recalled that Boracay Island and Guimaras recently declared by the Department of Health (DOH) as “Rabies Free”.

New chief of Aklan Internal Affairs Service assumes post

Posted October 14, 2014

Written by Jay-ar Arante

Police Senior Inspector Lendry Gelante Torrato assumed his post as the new Chief of Aklan Internal Affairs.

Torrato is presently assigned as the new superintendent of Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS) in Camp Pastor Martelino Kalibo, Aklan.

He replaced last October 1 Senior Inspector Eugenio Dionisio, Jr. who is now assigned in the Internal Affairs Service of the PNP in Antique.

Torrato, native of Tigbauan, Iloilo and presently residing in Bacolod City, was also designated as deputy provincial superintendent of Negros Occidental PIAS.

IAS is a neutral and independent body mandated to maintain police discipline, enhance delivery of police service and provide justice under the Philippine National Police (PNP) Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.

Meanwhile, Torrato said he will coordinate with chiefs of police and Aklan Police Provincial Office in the investigative, inspection, audit and disciplinary matters involving policemen in different units.

Mayor John Yap appeals for BAG cooperation

Posted October 14, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Mayor John Yap of Municipality of Malay has appealed to Boracay Action Group (BAG) for cooperation.

Speaking to the joint flag raising ceremony yesterday morning, the mayor said that, “besides having the command center in the island, cooperation and support from various groups like BAG is necessary.”

He said, “in conjunction with the high season, the cooperation between police officers and the community will serve as the key for a successful brawl against criminality.”

Yap further explains that security is really an important matter of concern especially to the local and foreign tourist who visited Boracay.

Meanwhile, he thanked several Non-Government Organizations (NGO) in the island who props up support to maintain the security in the island.

More than 500 units of traditional tricycles in Boracay will be replaced by E-Trikes next year

Posted October 13, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

More than 500 units of traditional tricycles on the island of Boracay are expected to be replaced next year.

Former Sangguniang Bayan member and E-Trike Program Focal Person Dante Pagsuguiron said that a total of 538 units of tricycle with franchise from LGU will be gradually replaced by e-trikes in the following months.

Presently there are 50 units of electric tricycle operating in Boracay and still increases.

Meanwhile Pagsuguiron said that they are having problems with the manufacturer of e-trike that could supply the demand for the gradual replacement of tricycle until 2015.

LGU Malay is aiming for additional units of E-Trikes as another tourist attraction for APEC 2015.

It will be recalled that last year old tricycle were only given up to six months to operate in the island, as per agreement of the adhoc committee. 

Malay villages flocks to Assembly meeting

Posted October 13, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

14 from 17 villages in the municipality of Malay Aklan flock to assembly meeting last week.

Office of the Malay Local Government Operations Officer (MLGOO) V Mark Delos Reyes said, “the assembly was synchronized or simultaneously conducted throughout Aklan barangays.”

Delos Reyes added, “That some barangays might have uncertain schedules so they also probably conduct another assembly this week.”

Meanwhile, based on the Memorandum Circular 2014-100 signed by Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 260, series of 2011, it was stated that all Barangay Captains should deliver their State of the Barangay Address every last Saturday of March and the second Sunday of October.

According to Delos Reyes, “complete attendance is also required during the assembly while local people convey the accomplishments, such as financial reports, programs and projects in the village.

Translated by Gloria Villas