Boracay Island named as Favorite Beach Destination 2015 in Malaysia Tourism Fair

Posted March 14, 2015

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

Boracay Island gets another honor this year.

This was after the prestigious island was named as the 2015 Favorite Beach Destination of Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA).

MATTA made the announcement in a press conference last March 9 in conjunctions to their annual fair which is held today until tomorrow at Putra World Trade Center in Kuala Lumpur.

According to the Philippine Embassy ​​MATTA organizing committee chairman S. Jayakumar, “Boracay white sand beach and the Philippines is rich in natural resources and biodiversity”.

Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya also thanked the Malaysians for this recognition which he also said that “Malaysia is the ninth largest tourist market in 2014 with its 27. 24 percent increase in tourist arrival in the Philippines”.

Malaya added that “it is a great honor for the country that Boracay was discovered because of its pristine white sand and stunning beaches that attract the tourists’ nature-tripping.

Meanwhile, this is the fourth award won by Boracay Island for this year where recently, February 2015,  it was recognized as best beach in Asia; number 7 in Best Beach in the World; and 2015 World's 2nd Best Beach for Partying.

SP Aklan sued the increasing cases of road accidents involving stray dogs

Posted March 13, 2015

Written by Gloria Villas

It is not just bad roads, inadequately-lit thoroughfares or drink driving that is causing road accidents.

Dogs too have become a potential threat for motorists, especially in the suburbs and in the highways.

In this regard, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Aklan schedules a committee hearing to the Ad Hoc Committee to have a discussion about the increasing accidents caused by dogs in the highway.

During the 16^th SP Regular Session, the council states that it is very essential to give focus in this issue since that this is a major problem.

According to SP Aklan, this has a long been problem because other than a cause of accident, it also pollutes and sometimes chased the populace.

Meanwhile, the Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA) encourages everyone to report those stray dogs in authority.

EMB, assures Boracay is safe from Coliform bacteria

Posted March 12, 2015

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

Regional Director for Region 6 Environmental Management Board Dr. Samson Guillergan, assured that the water in Boracay is safe from Coliform bacteria.

He made the statement during the Sangguniang Bayan regular session last Tuesday after they were called by the Local Officials of Malay regarding Coliform issue in Boracay.

According to Dr. Guillergan, they “did not found a high level of Coliform bacteria in the waters of Bolabog beach”, far from the reports of the National media.

He also said that they have tested the water in some areas at the back beach where it was reportedly found to have high level of Coliform bacteria.

Meanwhile, Guillergan also disclosed that they have found high level of Coliform in Tulubhan area in Manoc-Manoc believed coming from the drainage system in Boracay.

He explained that these are coming from high area residents in Boracay with no sewerage system, where their washed food wastes or leftovers were carried by the rainwater to the sea.

The Department of Environmental Resources and Natural Resources (DENR) together with Solid waste management are still taking measures to ensure that the water in Boracay is safe.

DENR: Beach of Boracay still safe for the public

Posted March 12, 2015

Written by Gloria Villas

Tourists should still enjoy frolicking and swimming in Boracay despite the explosion of news about Coliform bacteria.

Office of the Aklan Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Ivene Reyes said: “Boracay’s waters fronting the island’s famed White Beach have been cleared by the Environmental Management Bureau and are deemed safe and clean for swimming.”

According to him, “Atty. Jonathan Bulos, Regional Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-6) in Western Visayas assured in a technical conference that the coastal water along White Beach is not hazardous.”

Bulos clarified that the earlier report released by the EMB-6 indicating high content presence of Coliform bacteria in seawater surrounding the island was actually taken from the mouth of the drainage system in Bulabog. The latter, is found on Boracay’s eastern side.

Meanwhile, EMB-6 continues to urge that the drainage and sewerage system meant to particularly curb water pollution in waters surrounding the resort island be once and for all be completed.

Reclamation Project in Caticlan Jetty Port continues

Posted March 12, 2015

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Reclamation Project of Aklan Provincial Government in Caticlan Jetty Port will now continue.

This was after the Supreme Court (SC) approved the documents of the said port expansion project.

Special Operation III Jean Pontero of Caticlan Jetty Port said that, “the province doesn’t have a target yet if when they’re going to start to build a structure or terminal area.”

Currently, the dumping of soil to the said area and the construction of the sea wall also continues.

Pontero also assured that when the expansion project in Cagban Jetty Port is finished, Caticlan port will follow.

It will be recalled that the province has several times filed a petition in the Supreme Court to allow them for the Reclamation Project.

Meanwhile, the Reclamation Project is expected to solve some problems in Caticlan Jetty Port like port congestion.

DSWD: New Washington, Libacao, Kalibo welcome cash assistance for Yolanda victims

Posted March 11, 2015

Written by Gloria Villas

Three out of 17 towns in the province of Aklan hit by super typhoon Yolanda were able to receive financial assistance.

According to Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Department Head Evangelina Gallega: “Initially a partial assistance was granted to Kalibo, totally in Libacao while partially and totally financial assistance in New Washington.”

In this regard, Gallega ask for understanding in a bit by bit giving of the said financial assistance to other 14 municipalities since that it needs to be downloaded from the office of the treasury.

She explained: “when it is downloaded already, the amount is being given to the local government where they give cash to Yolanda victims.”

“If this cash assistance will materialize, this will be a big help to the identified beneficiaries, especially those who are poor and who lost their source of incomes after the onslaught of Yolanda.” She added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Finance recently reported that nearly 53 percent of P199.49 billion was spent on various programs, activities and projects in areas affected by Yolanda in the Philippines.

Number of Chinese Tourist in Boracay increases

Posted March 11, 2015

Written by: Jay-ar M. Arante

Chinese Tourist is still on the second list of this year’s Boracay top vacationer.

This is despite of the current Chinese travel ban to the Philippines.

Based on the record of Malay Municipal Tourism Office (MTour), Chinese tourists for the first quarter of the year particularly for the month of February reached to 15, 406.

DOT Boracay Tourism Sub-Office Assistant Leo Kristoffer Velete said that “the Chinese travel ban last year did not stop their people from coming to Boracay”.

He also said that “the Chinese government cannot prevent the individual tourist to visit the country, but there some cases that they do not allow the group tours”.

Meanwhile Korea still dominated the top 5 foreign tourist arrival in Boracay for this year, the 3^rd is Taiwan, 4^th is the United States and 5^th is Australia.

DepEd targets OSYs through the Abot-Alam Program

Posted March 10, 2015

Written by Gloria Villas

Education is a basic right of every Filipino.

With this, the Department of Education (DepEd) sought the assistance to enjoin all Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and concerned Government Agencies to fully support the Abot-Alam Program.

According to Alternative Learning System (ALS) DepEd Aklan Education Program Supervisor Dr. Dobie Parohinog: “DepEd Aklan has already mapped out 4, 946 Out of School Youth (OSYs).”

“OSYs identified are from 15 to 30 years old who have not yet completed basic or higher education and who are unemployed.” He added.

In this regard, Balabag Elementary School Principal Ligaya Aparicio explains that, “Abot Alam responds to the education for all targets and the attainment of Millennium Development Goals. The program is proof of the government’s continued thrust to provide all Filipinos access to quality education and ensure that no learner is left behind.”

Meanwhile, prior to the launching of the Program, DILG Memorandum Circular 2013-18 already mandated LGUs to identify OSYs in their respective barangays. Thus, LGUs would be of help to the Program by complying to this memorandum which will be used by the DepEd for OSY database.

On the other hand, technical working group composed of the different government agencies, with DepEd as lead was created to coordinate the overall planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Program.

DepEd Malay, appreciates the call for simple graduation rites

Posted March 9, 2015

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Department of Education (DepEd) Malay appreciates the call of DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro for simple graduation rites in the country.

According to Malay District Supervisor Jessie Flores, “it is a big help to the parents of graduating students this year because they can save on expenses such as toga rentals or buying clothes to wear for their graduation”.

He also said that he is in favor of simple graduation, and the most important is that they finish their studies.

Meanwhile, Flores encouraged the school principals in the town of Malay that let the graduates wear their school uniform during graduation, and have a solemn or simple program.

Based on DepEd order, the schedule for graduation ceremony in Elementary and Secondary levels in the country is on March 26 to 27, 2015.

SP Aklan seeks proper implementation of ordinance that regulates Fire Dancers in Boracay

Posted March 9, 2015

Written by Gloria Villas

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Aklan in a recent Regular Session expressed concern over the lack of proper implementation of ordinance that regulates Fire Dancers in Boracay.

It said: “Fire Dancers and organizers of fire dancing show will be subjected to appropriate penalties in case they violated any laws or harm the tourism industry.”

It can be recalled that Malay SB Member Frolibar Bautista passed the ordinance in the legislative body of Malay to regulate the fire dancers in the island.

Since that this was also related to the concerns of Department of Tourism (DOT) vis-à-vis of the gas that was being used and alleged that it cause damage to the white sand.

Meanwhile, SP reminds that since it is prevalent in the beach front area, fire dancers should have a platform in order not to bother the passing tourists.