Boracay Photographers Association speaks about ordinance 168

Posted November 28, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Boracay photographers association speaks about the ordinance 168, despite the scheduled committee hearing for the photo shooting activity in Boracay yesterday didn’t went through.

Boracay Photographer Association President Ernesto Cruz said that the ordinance released by the LGU Malay 168 is a protection for them photographers.

Cruz said that the ordinance has limitations depending on the photographers or photo shooting activity.

Meanwhile, he stressed that the said ordinance which they have supported already existed for several years, yet they were surprised about the netizens negative comments.

Recently, the ordinance became a hot topic for the netizens because some of them find the ordinance discriminating.

The ordinance prohibits commercial photo shooting in Boracay if a photographer has no permit from the LGU Malay.

If anyone is caught in violation of the ordinance 168, he may be subject for a fine or confiscation of cameras.

SP Aklan schedules Committee Hearing for the Malay supplemental budget on Monday

Posted November 28, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

After looking into Malay’s request for a P91, 690,075.06 supplemental budgets, which will be used to fund the projects in the municipality.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Aklan now schedules a Committee Hearing for the Malay supplemental budget on Monday.

It can be recalled that the council agreed to defer the resolution from SB Malay 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.

BFP’s Fire Code Compliance inspection in Boracay continues

Posted November 28, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Bureau of Fire (BFP) Region 6 fire code compliance inspection in Boracay continues.

Fire Chief Inspector Crosbee Gumowang ng Regional Office 6 said they started the inspection Monday and until today to hotels and resorts in the island.   

Gumowang said that there are compliant establishments, while others are just starting to comply with the BFP’s fire code.

However, Gumowang stressed that establishments who are non-compliant might face penalties or be ordered to stop their operation.

The inspection and monitoring as stated in the provision fire code compliance of the Philippines is also in line with in coming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2015 which will be held in the island of Boracay, a reason that Gumowang asked for the cooperation of all establishments.

SP Aklan sued pollution in Sooc River Kalibo; A hot topic

Posted November 27, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Aklan will investigate the reported coliform contamination of the Sooc river in Kalibo on Monday next week.

This issue becomes the hot topic during 41^st SP Regular Session yesterday, as the letter from Atty. Allen Quimpo, Chairman of Kalibo Save The Mangroves Association (KASAMA) was being discussed.

Atty. Quimpo said: “The letter was asking SP Aklan to implement the closure order of DENR about the open dump site in Barangay Bakhaw Sur.”

In this regard, he cited a recent test that the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and the Aklan Food and Water Testing Laboratory conducted on the part of Sooc River near the entrance of the dumpsite.

Quimpo further explained that the law provides in Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the prohibition to operate on a dumpsite when affecting the health of citizens.

Meanwhile, Representatives from Aklan Environment and Natural Resources Office (AKENRO) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will also be invited to a Committee Hearing to shed light on the results and their possible implications on the environment and the residents’ health.

Ordinance for photo shooting in Boracay will be tackled through a committee hearing

Posted November 27, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

A committee hearing regarding the ordinance for photo shooting on the island of Boracay will be tackled today.

The ordinance has been discussed in the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Session of Malay in recent months after it became a hot topic on social media in Boracay.

It can be recalled that many photographers on the island were surprised about the Malay municipal ordinance no. 168 prohibiting photography in Boracay without adequate permits.

Meanwhile, Malay SB Secretary Concordia Alcantara said that the ordinance is subject for a committee hearing this afternoon in Boracay Action Center wherein photographers in Boracay were together with some concern agencies.

She also said that “this is the way to clear some confusion of photographer and netizens on the said law that until now it is considered as hot issue in the social networking sites.

BTAC admits motorcycle crashes in Boracay

Posted November 26, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

They roar past cars. Zig between lanes. And risk daring maneuvers.

Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) Cops say they are seeing more motorists behave brazenly in the island of Boracay highways than in the past.

And admits they’re seeing an uptick in deaths, although refused to give a record with regards on the number of motorcycle accidents cases in the island.

BTAC said: “The motorists somehow lost control, striking another vehicle, alcohol involvement among motorcycle operator are the leading causes of crashes.”

Meanwhile, based on the record another motorcycle accident happened last Sunday in the island.

Officials say, in fatal crash last month numbers of victims were also transferred in Kalibo Aklan for proper medication.

Meanwhile, BTAC is also focusing on how to adjust traffic in the island in collaboration with the Municipal Auxiliary Police (MAP).

Phase 1 of Boracay Hospital expansion project, being fast tracked for April 2015

Posted November 25, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay received the response of the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 in relation to the Boracay hospital expansion project.

According to Malay SB Secretary Concordia Alcantara, DOH Region 6 sent them a letter for the fast track of the project which states that the renovation of phase 1 of the three storey hospital must be finished in April 2015 before the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Boracay in May 2015.

It was found out that the construction of the said hospital was stopped because of some problems.

Alcantara even added that the project contractor will be possibly replaced because of some controversy.

It will be recalled that SB Member Aguirre authored the resolution to fast track the project not only in favor of the patients who cannot afford the private clinics in the island but also in preparation for the upcoming APEC.

Meanwhile, after the construction of Boracay Hospital, some big changes are expected like additional facilities and health personnel which can better serve patients in Boracay.

MBC Stations led KBP accreditation exam in Aklan

Posted November 25, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Thirty one (31) out of 48 examinees passed the accreditation exam for the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) held last October 18, 2014 in the province of Aklan.

In this regards, media practitioner from Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) Stations namely DYYR-Yes FM, DYEY- Easy Rock, DYSM- Love Radio topped this year’s exam who ranked first to third followed by other 14 media practitioners in same stations.

Completing the 31 passers are 14 examinees coming from other stations namely Bombo Radyo, RMN Stations, Ultrasonic Broadcasting System and mass communication students from Northwestern Visayan Colleges in Kalibo.

Meanwhile, the accreditation exam is aimed at raising the standards of professionalism in the broadcast industry.

Prior to the examination, a half day seminar-workshop on media ethics and broadcast code was conducted to enhance the knowledge and skills of media practitioners, journalism graduates and mass communications students in the province.

Furthermore, unaccredited broadcasters are not allowed to announce or comment on-air in KBP member stations unless they are passers of the exam.

It was stated in Article 30 of 2007 Revised Broadcast Code of the Philippines that persons who regularly go on the air shall be required to obtain accreditation with the KBP.

Boracay PNP preparing for the super peak season in Boracay

Posted November 24, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) is now preparing for the super peak season in the island.

Boracay PNP Chief PSInspector Mark Evan Salvo said that the ‘’Regional Office cancelled the leave of the Police in Boracay starting this December 15 to January 8 2015 to intensify security in the island of Boracay’’.

BTAC will also have a 24-hour patrol on crime or robbery prone areas in Boracay.

Salvo added that the police bicycles will be used in patrolling some remote parts of the island to accelerate incident response.

The Municipal Auxiliary Police (MAP) will be joining them for the implementation of the ordinances in Boracay.

Meanwhile, thousands of tourists are expected to visit the island of Boracay this December to celebrate their Christmas and New Year.

APPO-OIC conducts on-the-spot inspection at BTAC

Posted November 24, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) as mandated by Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted a surprise inspection at Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) last Sunday.

Lead by Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) officer-in charge Senior Superintendent Iver Apellido, the higher office checked the deployment of BTAC and its operation especially in its preparation for the holiday season.

Office of APPO said: “On – the- Spot Inspection aims to help police personnel improve their appearance, readiness in security and operations, and investigative skills.”

“This is also to monitor and ensure that policemen are correctly following the command of a higher office.” It added.

APPO also emphasizes that higher office will continuously conduct a spot inspection in different police districts to make a quick assessment of the level of police discipline in the PNP.”