BFP’s Fire Code Compliance inspection in Boracay continues

Posted January 23, 2015

Written by Gloria Villas

The Bureau of Fire (BFP) Boracay fire code compliance inspection in the island continues.

SFO2 Alfred Rome of BFP Boracay said in an interview that despite of their busy schedules because of the pending permits by the different establishments in the island.

BFP assures that they still have an integral operation to guarantee the safety of the public especially tourist.

Indeed, he said that they have now additional men to keep an enormous operation.

Meanwhile, as mandated by Republic Act 9514 under Rule 9, BFP is scheduled to conduct a Fire Code Compliance inspection in several buildings and establishments.

This 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.

An action is also a part of the APEC Summit 2015 preparations which will be held in the island.

Payment of Tax and Mayor’s permit in Malay, extend until February

Posted January 23, 2015

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Office of the Mayor of Malay is requesting for extension on payment of Taxes and Mayor’s Permit from January 20 to February 20, 2015.

This is to give enough time to the establishments who pay and get permits especially on the island of Boracay.

Due to the urgent request of the said matter it was also immediately approved by the Sangguniang Bayan Council after it was discussed in the SB Session last Tuesday.

On the other hand SB Member and Chairman of the Committee on Laws Rowen Aguirre, expressed his opinion that he wants to reduce the requirements for getting permits to LGU Malay.

He cited an example for this is in getting Brgy. Clearance that causes delay to the applicants because of too many draws.

Meanwhile, Aguirre did not mentioned which among the requirements for collecting and re-renewing permits for 2015 they would want to be disregard.

Brgy. Manoc-manoc of Malay got a largest budget in Aklan for 2015

Posted January 23, 2015

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

Manoc-Manoc Brgy. Captain and Malay League President Abruam Sualog full proud for their Annual budget for 2015.

After discussion in the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay yesterday the resolution approving the annual was passed, with Manoc-manoc having the largest budget in the town of Malay and in the province of Aklan for this year 2015.

It was noted that such budget is worth more than twenty two million pesos.

According to Sualog there are some projects to be done in their brgy. for 2015 which includes the configuration of the road and their brgy. hall including livelihood project.

Meanwhile, due to the continuous inflow of business in said Brgy. There is also continued growth in to income that helps the development of their communities.

SP Aklan calls for meeting over Kalibo International Airport issue

Posted January 22, 2015

Written by Gloria Villas

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Aklan has called a meeting to discuss the issue of complaints on the inconveniences, inadequacies and negligence of authorities at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA).

According to SP Secretary Odon Bandiola, SP has called for a meeting along with the Manager of Civil Aviation Authority (CAAP), KIA and Land Transportation Groups over the said situation.

Bandiola stresses that these are the main sectors where they could really help to solve to the problem and will give actions to the passenger’s complaints.

According to a report, passengers were complaining particularly the lack of comfort rooms, the clogging of passengers in the departure and arrival areas and undue and unreasonable fare charges by land transport conveyances which caused prejudice and irritants in the tourism industry among stakeholders.

Meanwhile, it can be recalled that Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Boracay also wrote DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio "Jun" Abaya concerning the said problem in the form of thousands of tourists arriving daily at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) which the airport can’t handle well because of limited space and infrastructure.

In this regard, Aklan Provincial Government still analyzes the trouble in the airport.

APPO: Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival, “generally peaceful”

Posted January 21, 2015

Written by Gloria Villas

Except for minor incidents, Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) still describes Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival as generally peaceful”.

Aklan Police Director Senior Superintendent Iver Apellido said: “No major incidents happened in the nine-day celebration of the Ati-Atihan in honor of Senor Sto. Nino de Kalibo.”

He added that, “at least 800 cops, barangay tanods, Philippine Army, civilian volunteers and auxiliary police were deployed as part of the security measures for the traditional Ati-Atihan festival.”

Meanwhile, Kalibo Police Chief Superintendent Pedro Enriquez said that traffic rerouting, checkpoints and police assistance centers in strategic areas were also manned by the local police.

Yet, he said that there were some problems during the traffic rerouting that needs to be improved.

On the other hand, Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 police director Chief Superintendent Josephus Angan also monitored the peace and order situation over the weekend to ensure the security of tourists and devotees.

Black Beauty Boys, bags championship title in Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival 2015

Posted January 20, 2015

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

Boys Black Beauty Boys from Barangay Linabuan Norte, won again as the champion in Tribal Big category for Ati-Atihan Festival's street dancing competition.

They received P150, 000.00 grand prize, followed by Maharlika who received P80,000.00 while Pangawasan Tribe won a third place with a prize of P50,000.00.

Although not as fortunate as the Boys Black Beauty Boys, the Tribu Tiis-Tiis of Barangay New Buswang and D'Kamanggahan also received a consolation prize of P10, 000.00 each.

While in Tribal Small category, the Kabog group was declared champion with P60,000 prize, followed by Tribo Alibangbang as the second placer with P40,000 cash while Trbu Bukid Tigayon got the third place who received P30,000.00

Holding its championship record for five years, the Scorpio 11-19 won in Modern Group category taking home P50, 000.00 prize.

Second place here is the Road Side with P25, 000.00 followed by the D'Emagine with a cash prize of P15, 000.00 respectively.

In Balik-Ati category, the Tribu Ilayhanon nga Inapo ni General  Candido Iban bagged the championship and received a prize of P50,000.00 while Lilo-anong Ati na Mananggiti got the second place with P25,000.00 cash prize.

It will be recalled that 28 tribes joined in the Ati-Atihan Festival 2015 and competed in Big group category, Tribal Small category, Modern Group category and Balik-Ati category.

In this regard the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival Foundation Inc., Aklan Provincial Government and Local Government Unit of Kalibo were happy to the successful celebration that was witnessed by hundreds of thousands of people and devotees of Sr. Sto. Niño.

Ibajay Aklan shifts gear to Ati-atihan preparations

Posted January 20, 2015

Written by Gloria Villas

After the successful Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival celebration, Ibajay residents are now busy preparing for the Ati-atihan revelry this January 25, 2015.

According to Aireen Alag of Ibajay Mayor’s Office, “now they are just having their Municipal Day participated by different Barangays in the municipality.”

She said, “Ibajay is considered by expert as the original version of the Ati-atihan, even older than that of Kalibo.”

"Right now, we are more ready for the Sto. Ati-atihan. We have already started decorating Ibajay with Ati-atihan signages and other decorations," She added.

After this there will be a parade of participant’s tribes from the different barangays of the town before the mass presentation at the Plaza.

Aside from these, towns that are also celebrating their own version of the Ati-atihan festival are Altavas, Makato, New Washington, Malinao and even Boracay Island.