Tourist arrival in Boracay last Undas, slightly declined compared last 2013

Posted November 7, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

Tourist arrival in Boracay last All Saints Day or Undas slightly declined compared last year 2013.

Record from Malay Municipal Tourism Office (MTour) on November 1, All Saints Day and November 2, All Souls' Day shows 3, 129 arrivals on November 1 with the local tourist arrival of 1, 587, foreign 1, 506 and 36 OFWs.

They have also recorded 1, 492 on November 2 for both local and foreign tourist and 72 OFW with a total of 3, 056.

Despite of this, they also recorded high numbers of tourist arrival the day before Undas with a total of 4, 111 in just one day which is dominated by the Filipinos.

Although the record was low compared last year, MTour stressed that the reason for this is because Undas fell on Saturday and Sunday, which is not a reason to have a long week end.

Meanwhile, the island of Boracay is yearly visited by tourists especially on the day of All Saints Day because of the different Halloween Party at the famous white beach area.

Holy Rosary Parish Boracay to offer special mass intention on Yolanda’s first anniversary

Posted November 7, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

On November 8, exactly a year after the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda, a special mass intention tomorrow at 6:30 am and 5:00 pm will be held in the island of Boracay led by Holy Rosary Parish.

According to Boracay Team Mediator Fr. Arnold Crisostomo, “Boracay is so lucky that it has never been severely hit by the said super typhoon.”

He added that, “the special mass intentions will also open a gratitude to almighty God for saving Aklan as well as for the help it receives after the devastation.”

Furthermore, Crisostomo encouraged dioceses, schools and organizations to conduct their own activities and prayers to those typhoon-hit areas who remained upbeat despite the tragedy that struck them.

Meanwhile, churches around the country will simultaneously ring their bells at 6 p.m. on Saturday to mark the first anniversary of Yolanda, which left at least 6,300 people dead and 28,000 injured and destroyed billion worth of properties.

Translated by Gloria Villas

LGU Malay request financial assistance to DOT for APEC 2015 inspection in Boracay

Posted November 6, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

SB Malay recently discussed the release of financial assistance from the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region IV to settle up the expenses during inspection visit of 2015 APEC team on the island of Boracay.

In this regards, during its session a resolution giving authority to the municipal mayor to enter into a memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was passed.

It was noted that as a preparation for the APEC Summit 2015 the Local Government Unit of Malay needs to train the front liners in Boracay and mainland Malay when it comes to professionalizing the quality of services and enhancing their abilities.

Hence, Department of Tourism is humbly requesting to provide financial technical assistance, training and other measures of LGU capability likewise assistance to LGU-Malay in preparation for the implementation and monitoring of tourism development plans and programs particularly in 2015 APEC Forum.

Meanwhile, the said concern will systematically continue in the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay until it was approved by the local body.

SP Aklan talks Reclamation of Pook Ecological Tourism Development Project

Posted November 6, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) talks again the 10-Hectare Reclamation of Pook Ecological Tourism Development Project.

In this regard, during the 38^th SP Regular Session yesterday, the council invites PPD-PPDO Coordinator Engr. Roger Esto, Provincial Legal Officer Engr. Edelzon Magalit, Provincial Engineer Engr. John Kenneth Almabis, AKENRO and Jetty Port Administrator Nieven Maquirang for an interaction.

It will be recalled that SP Aklan authorized former Governor Carlito Marquez to file an application with the Philippine Reclamation Authority to reclaim some ten hectares at the shoreline of Barangay Pook in the capital town of Kalibo.

The proposed reclamation is one of the components of the Pook Ecological Tourism Development Project, an alternate gateway to Boracay Island specifically for tourists embarking and disembarking at the Kalibo International Airport.

Meanwhile, the authority was granted by the provincial legislative body through Resolution No. 2012-299 passed during its 38th Regular Session on November 7, 2012.

SB Malay reviews ‘garbage to electricity’ project

Posted November 5, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The decision of the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay regarding the ‘garbage to electricity’ project was not that easy.

It is because the company of Orion Enterprise International LLG-USA has to pass the feasibility study even though they showed to the council the project’s technology.

During the SB Session of Malay yesterday, the said company encompasses the opportunity to show their project to the council through a presentation, and how it is being operated in Vietnam.

Although the council was okay with the presentation, they were surprised that 20 tons of garbage has to be needed for dissolving before it can be turned into electricity.

However, it was found out that in daylight, the garbage collection in Boracay does not reach to 20 tons.

Meanwhile, the reason why El Elyon Orion Global Renewable Energy Resource Development Corp President and CEO Niel Augustine said that other garbage could be asked from a nearby town for its operation.

But apparently the SB was not convinced with the project, therefore stressing that it should pass a feasibility study before granting the request.

Security Firm sued by Malay SB Council over background checks

Posted November 5, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Malay sued that security firm in Boracay should concede their council before it goes through to the island.

Chairman for Peace and Order SB Member Danilo Delos Santos, believes in the statement of Security and Guards Unit (SAGU) Chief P/Supt. Condrado Carganillo that security firms should have their clearance.

According to delos Santos, “there were things that was supposedly instruct to various security operators that should also be followed.”

In this regard, he also believes that it is also a way to prevent the involvement of security guards in chaos if background checks in security firms are conducted.

Meanwhile, it will be recalled that Carganillo expressed his disappointments when some of the security guards involves in the issue of land dispute in the island where he asked the council members of SB and Boracay Security Agencies Organization (BSAO) to undergo background checks.

Furthermore, there were reports that a security firm should not acknowledge a contract while there was a land dispute problem.

Translated by Gloria Villas

Number of passengers of MS Super Star Aquarius, released by DOT-Boracay

Posted November 4, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

Over seven hundred passengers of MS Superstar Aquarius will be visiting the island of Boracay on November 6, Thursday.

Based on the records of DOT Boracay Sub-Office, the total number of passengers of the ship is 769 dominated by Hong Kong nationals.

On board on the MS Super Star Aquarius is its 1, 051 crew including the 394 Filipino crew and 675 crew from other country.

Jetty Port Administrator Niven Maquirang also confirmed that this is the third time that the cruise ship visited the island of Boracay.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Police, DOT Boracay and other concern agencies is once again prepared for the arrival of the ship on the island that first arrived at Hong Kong yesterday, November 4-5 in Manila and November 6 in Boracay Island.

Transalated by Jay-ar M. Arante

Come fly at this year's PRC Boracay-Malay Chapter Festival of the Winds

Posted November 4, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Boracay-Malay Chapter in cooperation with the Provincial and Municipal Government, DOT and other private sectors is again celebrating the Festival of the Winds in the island on November 14-16.

PRC Boracay-Malay Chapter Administrator Marlo Schoenenberger said: “On this 3^rd year of the said occasion, the lifeguards are going to showcase their skills during the Life Guard Competition which will be held at the front beach at a certain resort in station 2.”

The event will also includes, Paraw Regatta, Lantern Parade, Ocean Swim and Adventure Run, Underwater Ocean Clean-up and Kite flying Competition.

Meanwhile, Boracay Association of Scuba School (BASS) will also conduct its underwater clean up.

Commemoration of All Saints Day and All Souls' Day in Aklan generally peaceful according to APPO

Posted November 3, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The commemoration of All Saints Day and All Souls' Day or “Undas” in the whole province of Aklan is generally peaceful based on the assessment of the Aklan Police Provincial Office.

According to APPO Information Officer P03 Nida Gregas, they recorded zero Undas related incidents in the province before the day of All Saints Day until Sunday. 

She stressed that the authorities is very strict in monitoring the public and private cemeteries in Aklan because of the volume of people.

Gregas added that no major incidents recorded from 16 towns in the province related to the observance of Undas.

It was noted that APPO intensified their operations with the Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Police and the Philippine Army in the main area of the province.

Meanwhile, Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) has no major incidents recorded in conjunction of pouring lots of tourist in the Island for their Undas vacation.