SP Aklan: Tambisaan Port, geared up for “Habagat” season

Posted October 31, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Aklan recently discussed during its 38^th SP Regular Session about SB Malay Resolutions’ covering motorboat schedules at the Tabon Port.

According to a report, the resolution has been passed in the Malay legislative body due to some route of boats at Tabon port is confusing as its schedule is transferred back to Caticlan Port if the sea becomes calmer.

Meanwhile, a draft resolution prepared by SB Malay is scheduled to be tackled again in SP Session and to give it a solution.

It will be recalled that the resolution states that during “Habagat” season, boat schedules must remain at the Tabon Port and will not return to Caticlan and Cagban Jetty Port until the southwest monsoon ends.

Meanwhile, the LGU Malay is also preparing for the renovation of the Tabon Port and even the roads at the area to avoid untoward comments from the tourists visiting Boracay.

Philippine Coastguard Caticlan on a heightened alert for All Saints Day

Posted October 31, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

Philippine Coastguard (PCG) Caticlan are now on a heightened alert for the security of the travelers, few days before the All Saints Day.

This is after they receive instruction from their head quarters about the intensification of security on vessels.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Ronnie Hiponia, OIC Station Commander of PCG Caticlan said that they “will put passenger assistance centers in every sea ports in Malay and Boracay Island”.

They also strictly monitor the ships docking at the port of Caticlan and to inspect the luggage of passengers using their K-9 dogs.

Hiponia added that they automatically use their K-9 dogs in occasions like ‘Undas’ to assess the overwhelming passengers in sea ports and to check luggage of people who might have illegal drugs or do some terrorism act.

Meanwhile, Hiponia already assigned their personnel starting Friday until Tuesday to ensure the security of travelers this All Souls Day or “Undas”.

First Aid Stations to be set up in the island by the PRC for the All Saints’, All Souls’ Days

Posted October 30, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

First Aid stations will be set up by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in Boracay Island during the All Saints’, All Souls’ Days.

According Philippine Red Cross Boracay-Malay Chapter Administrator Marlo Schoenenberger, the purpose of the First Aid stations is to respond to the first aid needs of tourists.

Several First Aid stations will be set up at Boracay’s beachfront, aside from the posting of Red Cross Life Guards.

Meanwhile, PRC encouraged vacationers who are feeling dizzy, experiencing body pain, and stricken by heat stroke due to the hot weather to go to their first aid stations.

In addition, all trained volunteers of the Red Cross who are willing to help and are free during the activity are being called upon by the agency to render service.

Oplan Undas of APPO now in-place for All Saints Day

Posted October 29, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The entire police force in the province of Aklan is in-place for All Saints and All Souls Day on November 1 and 2.

According to APPO Information Officer PO3 Nida Gregas, their police are now on a heightened alert to intensify the security in public and private cemeteries in the province for the expected volume of people who will visit their departed love ones.

Gregas said that their last year’s preparation will be the same for now until the end of “Undas”.

Aside from intensifying security in cemeteries, Gregas also said that they provide police visibility on bus terminals and conduct check points especially in Kalibo.

APPO also reminds the public to be responsible with their valuables and be vigilant against robbers whenever in crowded places.

BTAC on heightened alert ahead of All Saints’, All Souls’ Days

Posted October 29, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Police unit in Boracay have been placed under heightened alert in preparation for the expected exodus of people paying respects to their dead in cemeteries on All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day.

Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) chief of police Senior Inspector Mark Evan Salvo said: “the high alert will be raised to full alert two days before the day of actual observance.”

He added, “The full alert will be extended until November 3.”

In this regards, police has also placed its forces in Cagban and Caticlan Jetty Port in anticipation of the influx of people expected to flock several areas of convergence during All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day.

Salvo also said that, “all police units were ordered to prepare to ensure the public safety and security before, during and after All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day wherein people are expected to troop several areas such as churches, sea ports, bus terminals and most especially the cemeteries to pay respect to their deceased loved ones.”

Meanwhile, BTAC reminded the public to observe the policies like ‘No liquors and gambling’ inside the cemetery.

Violators of road set back in Boracay, warned by MPDO

Posted October 28, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

MPDO warned road set back ordinance violators in Boracay.

Municipal Planning Development Officer Alma Beliherdo said they are

implementing the ordinance to identify establishments who violated Municipal Ordinance No.2000-131.

This is the ordinance stressing the 6 meter road set back from the road center for any temporary or permanent structures.

In her text message, Beliherdo warned that the engineering and building official themselves will remove those structures if establishment owners refuse for voluntary compliance.

Establishment owners will shoulder the demolition expenses.

The implementation of road set back ordinance started today in Barangay Manoc-manoc.

DILG, OCD strengthen contingency planning capacity of Malay LGUs and Boracay

Posted October 28, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) opened here on Monday the Contingency Planning Workshop for Malay local government units-and Boracay   in line with their goal of ensuring climate change adaptive and disaster resilient communities.

The three-day workshop was attended by disaster risk reduction and management officers and stakeholders from the municipalities of Malay and Aklan Province.

OCD Regional Director Rosario Cabrera said the event aims to assist LGU participants on the formulation or updating of contingency plans for possible disaster risks or hazards in their respective localities and for them to practice what they have learned from their previous training on Geographic Information System (GIS) for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Vulnerability Reduction.

OCD Regional Director also thanked DILG for coming up with such activity as preparation of contingency plan compared to DRRM plan,   will provide LGUs an effective action and judicious mobilization of resources in response to specific type of disaster or emergency.

She also emphasized the importance of continuously developing the skills of local leaders or DRRM officers in formulating contingency plans in ensuring a climate change adaptive and disaster resilient communities in Malay especially in the island of Boracay.

Meanwhile, Contingency planning workshop in Boracay is scheduled October 27-30, 2014 at Eurotel Hotel Boracay.

Thousands of people attended the Opening Salvo of Ati-Atihan Festival 2015

Posted October 27, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

Thousands of people from different places in Aklan attended the Opening Salvo of Ati-Atihan Festival 2015 last Friday in the town of Kalibo.

Around 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon, the crowd in Kalibo started to gather around and witnessed the parade of various groups and organizations that also joined in "sad-sad" or street dancing.

Other much awaited event of the day was the parade of cars with different designs and the parade of the finalists of Mutya of Ati-Atihan 2015. 

The Local Government of Kalibo and Aklan Provincial Government led ​​the opening program in Kalibo Pastrana Park, followed by a Foam Party and live bands in Magsaysay Park.

Meanwhile, the opening salvo of the Ati-Atihan is also the signal of long celebrations which will be highlighted this coming January 9 to 17, 2015 in commemoration of the feast of Senior Santo Niño.

Zero crime incident for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, targeted by Malay PNP

Posted October 27, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

Malay PNP targets Zero Crime incident for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

In an interview, Malay PNP Chief PSInspector Reynante Jomocan said that they will set police assistance desk in Caticlan and Malay cemeteries to maintain safe and peaceful ‘Undas’ celebration.

Jomocan believes that there might be some families with disputes that will meet in the cemeteries and might create trouble.

As part of their security plan, Jomocan said they will coordinate with the Caticlan Port security group for the influx of passengers on November 1 and 2.

Meanwhile, Jomocan reminded the public to observe the policies like ‘No liquors and gambling’ inside the cemetery.