SB Malay, to call TIEZA on their regular session

Posted April 10, 2015

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Local Officials of Malay will now take appropriate steps to make the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) appear in their regular Session.

TIEZA always failed to attend the session whenever they are called upon by the local officials, and just sending representatives who are not even capable of the councils’ queries.

In this regard, SB Member Frolibar Bautista calls the attention of his colleagues during the 13^th Regular SB Session on Tuesday to make a resolution to insist TIEZA’s attendance on their next session which also approved by the local body.

It was noted that the council’s move to call TIEZA is related to their projects in Boracay including the drainage project which the LGU Malay wanted to turn-over to Boracay Island Water Company (BIWC).

In this regard the council demands that officers with highest position from TIEZA and aware of such issues will attend to the session.

PIAS conducts inspection of police deployment in Boracay this summer

Posted April 10, 2015

Written by Bert Dalida

Provincial Internal Affairs Service (PIAS) conducted an inspection of police deployment along the Boracay PNP Station’s police deployment this summer.

Led by Police Senior Inspector Lendley Torato, the team look over the Tourists Assistance Desk of Boracay PNP Station from Station1 to Station 3.

In addition, Torato also checked the long beach and talked to the Municipal Auxiliary Police and Bike Patrollers.

It can be recalled that Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) strictly monitors policemen on duty to intensify checking dubious activities since that the APEC Meeting in Boracay is close to date.

Translated by Gloria Villas

Boracay New Coast Hotel Group Inc. to build Casino and Entertainment Business in the island

Posted April 10, 2015

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The request for SB Endorsement of Boracay New Coast Hotel Group Inc. to operate Casino and Entertainment Business in the Boracay is now rolling on the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay.

In the 13th Regular SB Session of Malay, Tuesday, the matter was discussed in a Committee Report led by SB Member Rowen Aguirre.

According to Aguirre “a committee hearing has been conducted which was attended by the News Coast Management and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Tourism Leal Gelito”.

Aguirre added that New Coast stressed that the Casino games are only for their hotel guests and for foreign tourist.

He also justified that New Coast assured the legality of the Casino’s operation, and it will be licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Authority and the Philippine Navy.

Meanwhile the said matter was scheduled for second reading during the next regular session of SB Malay for further study.

PRC seeking for additional lifeguards

Posted April 9, 2015

Written by Bert Dalida

Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Boracay – Malay Chapter now have 12 lifeguards.

According to PRC Deputy Administrator John Patrick Moreno, PRC is still hoping to hire more lifeguards to patrol beaches and pools especially in Boracay.

“We are still waiting for the Malay LGU’s action if when was the release of budget.” He said.

In this regard, Moreno added that they have now only life guard volunteers while waiting for a job order.

Meanwhile, it can be recalled that PRC Boracay-Malay Chapter continuously offers it first aid trainings at safety courses.

Translated by Gloria Villas

SB Malay invites BIWC re: expansion project in mainland

Posted April 9, 2015

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The new General Manager and Chief Operation Officer of Boracay Island Water Company (BIWC) Joseph Michael Santos attended the SB Session of Malay, Tuesday.

This was after they were invited by the council to attend the session in relation to their ongoing expansion project in mainland Malay.

Santos said that their new project is to further improve their water supply service in the island of Boracay.

He also added that their project has water permits where their water source is from Nabaoy River in the said town.

But the concern of the council now is the capacity of Nabaoy River to supply water for the island of Boracay because of the increasing number of hotels.

BIWC however stressed that the water supply would be sufficient especially with their ongoing development projects to ensure that enough supply in the island especially this summer.

Meanwhile, the council also urged all to use recycled water especially in big hotels and resorts on the island of Boracay.

Militant groups in Aklan rally for Yolanda victims, slam Memorandum Circular No. 24

Posted April 8, 2015

Written by Gloria Villas

A numbers of militant groups in Aklan staged a rally this afternoon in protest of government's mishandling of relief operations and corruption in construction of bunkhouses or temporary shelters.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Aklan coordinator George Calaor said: “the march actions condemned the government’s Memorandum Circular No. 24 which states the guidelines on the Release of DSWD Funds to NGO and or POs.”

He stressed that, “this memorandum is very unfair”.

Calaor believes that the guidelines that comprises in the said memorandum chose the beneficiaries, where in fact according to him most of the Aklanons suffered from the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda and there’s no reason to select who will be the recipients.

Thus,  protesters  in their placards, expressed indignation against the government's handling of the post Yolanda crisis, such as the delayed and "politicized" operations and distribution of relief goods, construction of allegedly overpriced bunkhouses, the no-build zone policies and other irregularities.  

Typhoon Yolanda damaged about P2.811 billion in infrastructure and agriculture in Aklan. The death toll stood at 14 with 572 injured.

Malay SB Session resumes after Holy Week break

Posted April 7, 2015

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

Following a Holy Week break, Malay SB members resumed their regular session on Tuesday.

Yesterday, the councilmen re-discussed some pending issues in the town of Malay and the Island of Boracay, like the operation of Yellow Submarine on the island.

They have also invited the Boracay Island Water Company (BIWC) and the Boracay Tubi System, the two companies that supply water to the island.

According to the Municipal Office, they invited the said companies to discuss the water sources in mainland Malay as well as their operations on the island.

BIR Aklan calls for early tax payment; extends operation in Boracay Sub-Office

Posted April 7, 2015

Written by Gloria Villas

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is reminding employees and self-employed professionals to file their income tax returns before the April 15 deadline.

According to Document Processing Section Chief Ma. Elaine Tirazona, “Sub-Office in Boracay will open to the taxpaying public on April 11, 2015 to accept taxpayers filing their income tax returns.”

She also added that all Authorized Agent Banks (AABs) in Boracay is extending their banking hours up to 5:00 in the afternoon starting April 1 to 15, 2015.

On the other hand, Tirazona advised those employed whose income taxes aren’t withheld by the company to save up for the tax payments to avoid coughing up a large one-time payment.

Meanwhile, consultation corners have been set up at tax offices to help people file their tax returns.

The Authorized Agent Banks in Boracay accepting BIR tax payments are the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Metrobank at Philippine National Bank (PNB).

APPO says Holy Week in Aklan “generally peaceful”

Posted April 6, 2015

Written by Gloria Villas

Except for a minor shooting incident and petty crimes, this year’s observance of Holy Week in Aklan has been generally peaceful, the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) said.

A report from PO1 Criselle Lagatik of APPO runs no other major incident has been noted.

"Public assistance centers put up in strategic locations along major thoroughfares and transport terminals, and seaports are under strict orders to remain in their posts until after the last traveler has safely returned," Lagatik proudly says.

Meanwhile, she said that “the police protection, which is part of Oplan SumVac (Summer Vacation), will still remain.

Furthermore, she added that APPO will continue to strengthen its efforts to ensure the safety of the public.

Celebration of Holy Week in Boracay, generally peaceful-BTAC

Posted April 6, 2015

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The celebration of Holy Week in Boracay Island last week is generally peaceful.

According to Boracay PNP OIC PS/Inspector Frensy Andrade, they have listed ‘zero-negative index’ this Holy week following a ‘no untoward incidents recorded on the island’ especially robbery.

Although they have recorded petty crimes, Andrade said that it is normal in the island of Boracay.

  

They also had an all out support to the SUMVAC or Summer Vacation program launched by Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) for the security of tourists.

Tourist Assistance Desks at three stations in Boracay where activated for quick response and to intensify security in the beach area of ​​the island.

Meanwhile with the help of other authorities in Boracay, tourists were also reminded to beware of their valuables and with suspicious people around them when they go for swimming on the beach.