BRTF urges utility providers in Boracay to fix their dangling wires

Posted November 14, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Boracay Redevelopment Task Force (BRTF) urges utility providers here to fix their dangling wires.

This is in line with the preparation to the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) Summit in Boracay Island this coming May2015.

It will be recalled that the problem has been discussed few months ago by the BRTF and the Malay Engineering office.

According to the BRTF, they have discussed the matter with the utility providers in Boracay including Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) and a telephone company which already started to address the concern.

BRTF stressed that these problems should be fixed before the conference next year.

The APEC Summit 2015 in Boracay will be participated by more than 2,000 delegates from 21 countries with their families and media organizations in different parts of the world.

BTAC receives 38 new radio handsets from the Regional Office

Posted November 14, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

The new 38 radio handsets are a milestone in terms of collaborative action for Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) in the choice of terminal for their officer’s operational communications.

According to BTAC Chief Police Inspector Mark Evan Salvo, the additional radio handsets are very useful especially that Boracay is one of the “Best Beach Destination”.

He said: “The said radio handsets will serve as their link to the policemen on duty while they are roving the island.”

He further clarified that, the radio handset was part of their request to propel the assignment to its full efficiency, where the said system has also been acclaimed and implemented in other PROs as an effective tool against criminality.

Meanwhile, the 38 new radio handset of BTAC turned up last Sunday and was currently patch up for the full implementation in the entire island to decrease criminality.

BFPU Boracay, warns public by using Christmas decorations

Posted November 13, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

"Christmas lights and Christmas lanterns".

These are some of the Christmas decorations that often times cause fire if not carefully and correctly used.

According to Bureau of Fire Protection Unit Boracay Chief Inspector-Stephen Jardeleza, they strictly monitor the use of Christmas lights of households and establishments in Boracay which is one of the major causes of fire.

However, Jardeleza said that they are still waiting for orders from their Regional and National Office for other measures needed for their monitoring of Christmas decorations.

Jardeleza also warned consumers not to buy Christmas lights without ICC stickers on its packaging or containers because they may be unsafe to use.

It will be recalled that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) teamed up to seize Christmas lights without ICC and have not passed their standards.

Miss Earth candidates pays courtesy call on BRTF

Posted November 13, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

 

Miss Earth candidate on Wednesday paid a courtesy call to Boracay Redevelopment Task Force (BRTF).

On the occasion of visiting the island, Miss Earth aims to promote Coral REEfurbishment Program of Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) and other campaign of environmental awareness which is the main purpose of the pageant.

Office of Boracay Beach Management Program (BBMP) Project Officer and Marine Biologist Al Lumagod said: “BFI and Ms. Earth Foundation have already a partnership concerning the project to increase the corals on the island of Boracay.”

The Coral REEFfurbishment Project is part of the development project of the Coastal Resource Management Program and also under the Boracay Beach Management Program launched on March 14, 2014.

Requirements for foreign tourist guides in Boracay reduced by Malay Council

Posted November 12, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante 

The requirements of foreign tourist guides in Boracay are now reduced by the municipal council of Malay.

According to SB Member and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Laws Leal Gelito, they reduced the requirements for the foreign tourist guide and coordinators because some of them are no longer necessary and just a burden for them.

Although the Barangay Clearance and PESO ID remain as requirements as well as with other pertinent documents, Gelito clarified that the removal of the other requirements does not mean that they do not impose strict policies to the foreign tourist guides in Boracay.

Meanwhile, the Local Government Unit of Malay continuously imposes tight policies to tourist guides and coordinators on the island of Boracay in order to prevent them from operating illegally.

SP Aklan invites treasurer’s office on the status of tax collection from telephone companies in Aklan

Posted November 12, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Aklan is now also focusing on tax collection from telephone companies in the province.

During the SP Regular Session, the council invites Provincial Treasurer Suzette Pioquid for interaction on the status of collection of taxes from telephone companies operating in the province to include other public utilities operating with a franchise in the province.

Meanwhile, it was learned that SP Council had a meeting yesterday regarding on finalizing the Base Market Values for year 2015 in the province.

SP also aims a system that would establish an observational research study to make taxes collection in the province fair-haired.

Social Media address reaction to City Mall planning in Boracay

Posted November 11, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

Netizens especially coming from the island of Boracay offered differing reactions to the news that City Mall will be build in the highest part of the island.

According to a report, “Double Dragon Company who owns the said mall confirms that they are planning to put a one branch in Boracay but said that it is just like a super market.”

Although, the Local Government Unit (LGU) Malay did not yet gave their reactions, it seems that a lot of people now saying that this is already approved.

Meanwhile, it was noted that two City Mall will be constructed in the province which one is in the town of Kalibo and the other one will be build in the island of Boracay.

However, some Netizens also suggested that since Boracay is already crowded, it is complimentary if the said establishment will be put up in Brgy. Caticlan, Malay in order to protect the remaining forest land area of the island as well.

In this regard, Double Dragon Company assured the public that a City Mall in the island is just only a community mall comparable to a super market which is not too big.

PRC Boracay-Malay Chapter reschedules “3rd Festival of the Winds”

Posted November 11, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Boracay-Malay Chapter recently announced that “3rd Festival of the Winds” in the island is postponed.

According to PRC Boracay-Malay Chapter Deputy Administrator John Patrick Moreno, “instead of November 14-16, it will hold on November 28-29.”

He said, “This is to get as much of the participants and in order that every PRC’s Chapter  will be able to participate in such activity, where there are now three  to five teams who signed up to their office.

It will be recalled that on this 3rd 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, such activity is also in collaboration with the local government of Malay, Department of Tourism (DOT) and other private sector.

BAG cancels flag-raising ceremony amid Command Center in Station 2 Boracay

Posted November 11, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

Boracay Action Group (BAG) cancels yesterday’s morning regular joint flag raising ceremony.

According to a report, Malay Mayor John Yap ordered the said cancellation wherein it will keep on December 2, 2014 because of having the Command Center in Station 2 Balabag Boracay.

The flag raising ceremonies, which have taken place in December 2 will be conducted in relation to World Aid’s Day celebration.

Meanwhile, there were some reports that a few of the BAG Members still went to the Balabag Plaza believing that there has a flag raising ceremony.

A joint flag raising ceremony of BAG is a regular activity during the second Monday of the month where all LGU Officials and Department Heads, law enforcers, volunteer groups and even stakeholders attend.

Aklan protesters call for homes, jobs for survivors on Yolanda anniversary

Posted November 10, 2014

Written by Jay-Ar Arante

Activists groups in Aklan protested “Martsa ng Pagbangon at Paniningil” on November 8 calling on the government to provide more homes and jobs, a year after Typhoon Yolanda smashed into the country.

About 2,500 protesters marched and gathered in the morning near the Kalibo-Numancia Bridge with their symbolic theme “Pag-alaala sa Ika Isang Taon ni Yolanda, Paniningil at Pagbangon!”

Rise Up Aklan, one of the activists groups said: “The march actions condemned the government continued neglect in responding to the needs of Typhoon Yolanda survivors after super typhoon hit the province of Aklan a year ago.”

“Last December 3, 2013 when Secretary Mar Roxas first visited the province of Aklan and declared the immediate release of P10, 000 for the partially damaged and P30, 000 assistance for the totally damaged houses. But until now, this remains undone,” it said.

Meanwhile, later in the afternoon, Rise Up-Aklan conveyors and supporters held a “march rally” from Kalibo Magsaysay Park to Kalibo Pastrana Park.  

Typhoon Yolanda damaged about P2.811 billion in infrastructure and agriculture in Aklan. The death toll stood at 14 with 572 injured.

Translated by Gloria Villas