BFP Region VI to conduct Fire Code Compliance inspection in Boracay

Posted November 21, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

As mandated by Republic Act 9514 under Rule 9, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region VI is scheduled to conduct a Fire Code Compliance inspection in several buildings and establishments in the island of Boracay on November 4.

BFP Region VI stated that an inspection will be initiated together with the City/Municipal Fire Marshal having jurisdiction on all buildings and structures to enforce compliance of the fire safety provisions of the Fire Code.

On the other hand, BFP again reminded heads of different establishments as well as government offices to adhere to the fire safety standards in order to maintain its operation and to ensure that fire incidents won’t happen in their institutions.

BFP emphasize that: “The purpose of the fire code is purely prevention to any loss of lives, where boarding house and other rental apartments is also included and even government offices undergo this fire safety inspection.”

Meanwhile, among requirements are fire alarms, automatic fire suppression system, smoke detector, exit signs, which should be a foot long; first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and pathways leading to fire exit which must be accessible to the occupants of establishments.

It was said that if the fire bureau discovers any safety violation they will immediately correct the violations and imposed penalties.

SP Aklan: Council to study P91-m Malay supplemental budget

Posted November 21, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Aklan is looking into Malay’s request for a P91, 690,075.06 supplemental budgets, which will be used to fund, among others, the continuation of projects in the municipality.

During the 40^th SP Regular Session, it was said that: “The measure has not yet been discussed systematically so it needs to be deferred for further study.”

Of the said supplemental budget proposed by Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, funds will be allocated for previously approved projects, and will go to obligations arising from infrastructure projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Meanwhile, the remaining portion of the supplemental budget will be used to fund reconstruction efforts and other government projects in several Malay barangays.

BRTF calls meeting on pipe concreting and extension in Bolabog Beach

Posted November 20, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Boracay Redevelopment Task Force (BRTF) calls a meeting along with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and Boracay Island Water Company (BIWC).

This is after the drainage project of TIEZA and the Local Government Unit (LGU) associated with the pipe concreting and extension in Bolabog Beach.

It can be recalled that officers from TIEZA emphasized that the extension is needed to complete the drainage project in Bolabog Beach before the upcoming APEC 2015.

TIEZA also acknowledge some problems in positioning the said project on the island like the illegal connections.

Meanwhile, Boracay Redevelopment Task Force (BRTF) assures that they will also help the project before the APEC.

Malay opens entries for Recycled Christmas tree exhibition

Posted November 19, 2014

Written by Jay-Ar Arante

Malay Municipal Council has teamed up with Environmental Service Office to bring the Recycled Christmas Tree exhibition to barangays.

According to Environmental Service Office Administrative Assistant Joery Oczon: “Local artists, children, outside-the-box thinkers and everyone with a passion for recycling, Christmas, or both to bring this year’s most extraordinary tree competition alive.”

“Recycled materials must be used on a Christmas tree making contest like used bottled waters, dried coconuts, soda cans and news papers.” He added.

Meanwhile, winners will receive 50 thousand peso for the Champion, 40 thousand peso for 2^nd place and 30 thousand peso for third place.

Entries are now open for the exhibition and needs to finish before December 1 for judging in December 8-11 which will be held at Balabag Plaza.

CENRO Boracay says no updates on status of pipe concreting extension in Bolabog Beach

Posted November 19, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently said in an interview that “they don’t have yet any updates on the status of pipe concreting extension in Bolabog Beach.”

According to Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Boracay Officer In Charge Jonne Adaniel, “the Local Government Unit (LGU) didn’t send any reports to their office yet after the conference conducted last month, along with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).”

However, it can be recalled that officers from TIEZA emphasized that the extension is needed to complete the drainage project in Bolabog Beach before the upcoming APEC 2015.

TIEZA also acknowledge some problems in positioning the said project on the island like the illegal connections.

Meanwhile, Boracay Redevelopment Task Force (BRTF) assures that they will also help the project before the APEC.

DOT to recognize Tourism front-liners who gave positive impact in Boracay

Posted November 18, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 is not only focusing on the great tourism of the island of Boracay, but also on the tourism front liners who gave positive impact in protecting the tourism and the tourists in the island.

Department of Tourism Regional Director Helen Catalbas said that they are ‘planning to have a tribute program for the honest front-liners on the island.

Catablas cited as an example the tricycle driver in Boracay who returned the bag owned by a Korean tourist with P40, 000 cash left on his vehicle.

She also said that honesty is a "great impact" on tourism which made the island visitors complacent in Boracay.

400 firms in Boracay issued CoC in joint industry-wide assessment leads to MOA between DOLE

Posted November 18, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

Inspired by the success of the recent Industry-Wide Assessment (IGA) on labor laws compliance of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

More than 400 firms in the island of Boracay were issued Certificates of Compliance on Launching of Productivity Improvement Project in Cagban Jetty Port and Installation of Marker declaring Labor Law Compliant Tourist Destination in the island.

It can be recalled that DOLE recently conducts the IGA in Boracay to their commitment in complying with the labor laws and occupational safety and health standards to make sure that employers and workers co-exist harmoniously.

Meanwhile, certificates with validity of two years were granted by DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldos.

DOLE will also conduct an Orientation Seminar on Labor Standard Book 6 and Book 3 tomorrow on the island.

Translated by Gloria Villas

Complaints of 4P’s Beneficiaries in Malay regarding their financial assistance from DSWD, still in a floating status

Posted November 17, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

‘Hopefully our problems will soon be solved’.

These are just some of the text messages received from some 4Ps beneficiaries in Malay.

They are still waiting for answers because the status of their complain regarding their financial aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is still in floating status.

Thus there are still disappointed to Malay Poblacion Barangay Captain Ric Calvario and MSWD or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Head Magdalena Prado.

Based on the text message from a complainant, ‘Prado gave 4P's parent leader a survey form for calamity victims of the recent Typhoon Yolanda.

The form was reportedly ‘signed by Calvario, but he added other names to a said form’.

It will be recalled that the said families in Poblacion insisted that their names have been removed from the list and replaced by some people who voted in the said barangay last election, while Calvario and Prado refused to give a word about it.

Translated by Jay-ar  M. Arante

LGU Malay surveys vegetation area because of “balot” vendors

Posted November 17, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

Local Government Unit (LGU) Malay seems determined to rinse out the island of Boracay in terms of so-called erring vendors.

Thus, the Municipal Auxiliary Police (MAP) is now strictly implementing the Municipal Ordinance No. 181 Series of 2002, which wrapped up the vendors for left to right.

The ordinance stated, “It is illegal to deal within the vegetation area especially in the beach front and those who violated will have a competent penalties.”

Meanwhile, MAP Deputy Chief Rodito Absalon said: “Last Friday, an estimated of 20 manufactured “balot” has been confiscated in the long beach.”

Absalon clarified that they had been already implemented the said ordinance in the island and not because of the upcoming APEC Summit.

However some reports says that, most vendors got mad of the said confiscation which they considered as their source of living.

In addition, aside from “balot” vendors, MAP is also monitoring some of the vendors at the vegetation area.

Translated by Gloria Villas

Caticlan Jetty Port, welcome tourists to Boracay with Christmas Decors

Posted November 17, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

As the Christmas season approaches, the Caticlan Jetty Port took time in decorating the corners of their building.

According to Caticlan Jetty Port Special Operations Officer III Jean Pontero, this is how they welcome the tourists who are in Boracay for the Holiday Season.

Pontero said that they would like the vacationers to feel the air of Christmas and its happy celebration in the island.

Also, different business establishments and hotels volunteered to add more decorations at the Caticlan and Cagban Jetty Ports.

In fact, Pontero added that a certain Boracay resort will be setting up a huge Christmas tree at the Cagban port.

It is the Jetty Port Admiinistration’s culture to annually decorate to hearten and or encourage tourists to visit the island of Boracay.

Translated by Shelah Casiano