Malay, Aklan claims top spot in first class municipalities in generating locally sourced revenue in the Philippines

Posted December 12, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

Municipality of Malay in the province of Aklan led the first class municipalities in generating locally sourced revenue in the Philippines.

The country’s statistical record shows: “Malay collected the highest real property taxes among the 286 first class municipalities in the Philippines with the income of 81. 23%.”

Meanwhile, second to Malay is Limay, Bataan with 79.89 percent, Carmona, Cavite is 78. 87%, Cabuyao, Laguna 69.07% General Trias Cavite 63. 65%, Calaca, Batangas 62.94%, Mauban, Quezon 61. 95%, Sual , Pangasinan 59. 16%, Tagaloan, Misamis Oriental 58. 59% and Norzagaray with a local income of 58.38%.

In this regard, citizens of Malay were thankful with the town’s ranking considering the island of Boracay as the main reason for the increasing income.

Malay, Aklan is the only town in Region 6 known as one of the top first class municipalities.

LGU Malay accumulates ‘Action Plan’ for Badjao in Boracay

Posted December 12, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Boracay meets complicated cases where indigenous (Badjao) were involved in begging and conning the tourists.

In this regard, LGU Malay now accumulates ‘Action Plan’ for the said problem.

However, LGU Malay admits having difficulties in handling the problem while being careful with the process, because of the law protecting indigenous people and children involved with the mentioned cases.

According to Boracay Island Chief Operations Officer Glenn Sacapaño, recently just over 20 indigenous (Badjao) delivered to the mainland from the island.

Sacapaño added that they are not just monitoring the “badjaos” but also children begging in Boracay.

He said: “This has a tremendous effect to the influx of tourist especially this coming Christmas Season and New Year.”

Meanwhile, LGU Malay will again discuss the matter with the Commission on Human Rights and National Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP) for the possible solution.

Barge who is loading, motorcycle without permit going to Boracay may subject to violation

December 11, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

Barge who is loading motorcycle without permit going to the island of Boracay may subject to a violation.

Malay Transportation Regulation Senior Officer Cesar Oczon Jr., said that there is an owners of motorcycle without a permit approaching to operators of barge to corvine their motorcycles across the island.

He also said that if catch the owner of the motorcycle they going to face a fined same as the barge who load the vehicle.

It was noted that over two thousands motorcycle now operating in the island except from no permits.

Oczon also advised to those who are planning to enter their motorcycle in Boracay that they need to follow the proper procedure to avoid fines or confiscation of their unit.

Meanwhile, in case the operator violated various violations it may happened to get back their motorcycle in the island at face the fine subject for them.

Korean Association offering Php50, 000 rewards for Jin Woo Lee’s shooting suspect

Posted December 11, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Korean Association is offering a Php50, 000 rewards for any information identifying a gun man/suspects who shot Korean national Jin Woo Lee while walking near his rented apartment in Sitio Bolabog in Boracay.

On November 26, spa manager Jin Woo Lee was walking along Bolabog road when two unidentified suspects shot him, where he suffered two gunshot wounds in his lower right armpit.

Meanwhile, Korean Association said in a statement that: “The said incident which was happened last month might have a tremendous effect on Boracay’s tourism industry.”

However, away from this BTAC has already prepared one of the suspects’ cartographic sketches based on the description of one of the witnesses to the crime and now waiting for the victim’s recovery headed for suspects’ cartographic sketch.

Anyone with information is urged to call the BTAC at 288-3066, or 09075036235.

SB Malay resent having zero casualties during Typhoon Ruby

Posted December 10, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay resent having zero casualties during Typhoon Ruby.

In the 38th SB Session yesterday SB member Rowen Aguirre said during his privilege speech that they have zero casualty of the recent Typhoon Ruby in the province of Aklan.

It can be recalled that the province was under signal number 2, although it brought only light wind and moderate rain.

It was learned that prior to the coming of storm in the province, the Local Government Unit of Malay had been prepared together with the concerned agencies in mainland and the island of Boracay Malay.

In this regard also the readiness of the residents in the area caused no recorded incidents related to the storm.

Meanwhile, the SB Malay extend their greetings to all who help them about it which now the operation of boat is back to normal in conjunction with re-influx of tourists in Boracay Island.

BTAC eyed 3 motives in Korean national shooting; suspects’ cartographic sketch, prepared

Posted December 10, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) now looking into three motives on Korean national’s case, who was shot by unidentified suspects in the island of Boracay.

According to Officer on Case Police Officer 1 Alan Zamora, they couldn’t reveal the motives yet since that they are still waiting for the victim’s recovery headed for suspects’ cartographic sketch.

However, away from this BTAC has already prepared one of the suspects’ cartographic sketches based on the description of one of the witnesses to the crime.

Meanwhile, it can be recalled that Korean national Jin Woo Lee was walking near his rented apartment in Sitio Bolabog in Barangay Balabag on November 26 when two unidentified suspects shot the Korean national, who suffered two gunshot wounds in his lower right armpit.

Lee is now in stable condition at the Panay Health Care Multi-purpose Cooperative Hospital in Kalibo, Aklan.

Stranded passengers in Caticlan Jetty Port still unable to leave

Posted December 9, 2014

Written by Jay-Ar Arante

Stranded passengers going to Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, and Batangas City are expected to stay longer in Caticlan Jetty port.

This was due to the threat of bad weather brought by Typhoon Ruby in some areas of Northern Luzon and Mindoro Island, as per reports from PAGASA.

Caticlan Jetty Port Special Operations Officer III Jean Pontero said that the total number of stranded passengers in their protection is 39.

According to Pontero, passengers from different provinces in Region 6 were stranded since Friday after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) released an advisory suspending vessels’ operation because of Typhoon Ruby.

She added that that they continue to provide food to the passengers until the operation of the RoRo vessels are ‘Okayed’.

Meanwhile, motorbancas in Caticlan and Cagban Vice resumed operation after it was cancelled due to said typhoon.

AKELCO: 100% restore power lines in Aklan, days after typhoon Ruby crosses the province

Posted December 9, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

No major damages to power lines in Aklan.

This was the striking message of Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) days after typhoon Ruby crosses the province December 7, 2014.

According to Arvin Ibesate of AKELCO, to ensure public safety they are following the continuous inspection, repair and restoration of power lines in province.

AKELCO’s report says: “Problems that occur are only wires that have been partially damage due to plunging branches of trees or some that has been leak.”

However, AKELCO cleared that it was already resolved by their office.

Meanwhile, AKELCO stressed that their office is open to any problems that might mount to them and thus, they have committed their best efforts to speed-up power restoration to alleviate the plight of the member-consumers affected by calamities.

Boracay evacuees can now go back to their humble abodes

Posted December 8, 2014

Written by: Jay-ar M. Arante

Mayor John Yap of Malay, Aklan has allowed the evacuees to return to their respective homes after the typhoon Ruby (International name: Hagupit) has taken another course, going to Mindoro area.

Although Aklan is still under storm signal number 1, the typhoon will no longer have any impact to the whole province of Aklan, most especially the island of Boracay.

It was noted that more than 400 families were evacuated to designated evacuation centers provided by the Local Government Unit of Malay.

Aside from Boracay, residents from the coastal barangays in mainland Malay were also allowed to go home.

On the other hand, Mayor Yap prohibited the citizens to swim in the waters of Boracay until the storm signal is not yet lifted.

Meanwhile, there were no listed incidents by the LGU regarding Typhoon Ruby because of the immediate and quick preparation and coordination of the mainland Malay and Boracay Island Citizens.

PDRRMC Aklan still determining, validating Ruby casualties

Posted December 8, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Aklan still determining and validating Ruby casualties in the province.

Office of the Aklan PDRRMC Exec. Officer Galo Ibardolaza said: “So far, there has been no reported damages in Aklan neither those who were injured in the disaster.”

Indeed, their agencies were currently monitoring municipalities in the province.

On the other hand, Ibardolaza reminded the residents to be still more watchful especially those who were evacuated coming from low-lying areas.

However, based on the latest weather reports, typhoon Ruby weakens while it crosses the Sibuyan Sea.

The Official Gazette quoted PAGASA as saying that as of 8 a.m., Ruby weakened into a tropical storm with maximum winds of 105 kph and gustiness of 135 kph.