"LOST BEACH IN YAPAK VILLAGE" - FEARED bY YAPAK OFFICIAL

The beach in the village of Yapak is almost gone and its village Captain, Hector Casidsid, is having problems because of this.

Add to this the predicament that there are a very few accessible beach lines in Yapak Village since the village is mountainous and rocky.

These prompted the Village Chairman to ask for help from the Town Council of Malay at noon time, Tuesday, December 11.

The assistance sought is for whatever the Town Council could render to protect Yapak’s beach against the occupation by private individuals.

This is allegedly because the beaches of Yapak are for everyone and not just to be owned by a resort or establishment which is near the area.

In relation to this, Casidsid mentioned big resorts at the area wherein fishermen and ordinary citizens at the area, allegedly, are no longer allowed near the beach since they are no longer allowed to enter by guards, and the areas have been intended for the resorts’ guests.

Aside from this, Casidsid is worried since there is allegedly a plan at Puka Beach by some private individuals and Corporation to put up large establishments at the area. This has made the Village Captain worried that no shore will be left since all of the shores will be occupied.

He emphasized the importance of the problem saying that Puka Beach is the only beach left for Yapak Village, and therefore, the protection for the environment is their request from the Town Council of Malay.

Stakeholders in Boracay aware of the planned demolition of illegal structures

The stakeholders in Boracay have knowledge about and are ready for any demolition of illegal structures and or establishments in the island.

This is what Boracay CENRO Officer Merza Samillano believes.

This is with regards to the issue that the DENR has ordered to begin the demolition of structures within the 25 meter area from the beach line and 5 meters from the road or what is called the 25+5 easement.

According to Samillano the inventory of structures in the island and those who violated the Presidential Proclamation 1064 particularly the implementation of the 25+5 had started way back in 2009.

This was followed with giving out of Notice of Violation from the EMB or the Environmental Management Bureau of the DENR to inform the stakeholders of their violations.

She also added that this issue is also already known to the mayor of Malay since he was one of those who were present during which this dilemma was discussed.

Meanwhile as President Benigno Aquino had formed the National Task Force who specializes with this issue on the island, the Department of Justice, Tourism, DENR, and DILG are coordinating for its implementation.

However any implementations to be carried out still are under the mandate of the local government.

Samillano, on the other hand refused to comment when asked about the number of establishments that may be affected if this will be started.

3 MENDICANTS

By Rodel J. Abalus

An old man of about 50 years old, and a husband and wife of about 70 years old were seen begging on Saturday evening, December 8, in Boracay Island.

They were sitting along the path of the main road of Balabag.

The MSWD Office of Boracay was contacted to report the matter.

During the interview with Jessica Candolita, the Social Welfare Officer 4 of the Local Government of Malay, in the afternoon of December 11, it was learned that their Office just started a roving which was named “Operation Mendicancy. ” The operation was in coordination with the Island Administrator, Glenn Sacapaño and Balabag Village Captain, Lilibeth Sacapaño through the cooperation of the BTAC, and the MAP.

The operation started on the same day.

It was learned in the interview that three possible actions could be made during roving operation. One is rescue of minors, if minors were at risk, another is to apprehend, and reprimand beggars.

This was the second instance that the 50 year old man was seen begging at the same place. The first instance was in the evening of December 6, in which he was told to contact the MSWD Office of Boracay the next day. However, according to Candolita, there was no report of a 50 year old man contacting their office.

Although the 50 year old guy was not seen by the MSWD during their first roving operation, the 70 year old husband and his wife were seen separately in different locations and were reprimanded and told to go back to Caticlan.

The pair claimed that they were temporarily staying at Caticlan and that they were reportedly from Basilan and that they were Badjaos.

Candolita added that the case of the husband and wife would be referred to the Village Captain of Caticlan.

Pre-judging for MTO’s Beautification of Barangay Contest, conducted

The Municipal Tourism Office of Malay had conducted the pre-judging for their program: Beautification of Barangay: Caticlan, Manoc-manoc, Balabag and Yapak Contest

Held on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, the program is one of the MTO’s ways of maintaining the established name of Boracay in tourism, as well as the promotion of the mainland as a tourist attraction.

This is by instilling to the community the significance of their awareness and cooperation through the beautification contest.

The panel of judges who later where invited for a deliberation included Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator, Alma S. Belejerdo, Department of Tourism Malay-Director Tim Ticar, BFI Executive Director, Ms. Pi Miraflores and a representative in behalf of Yes Fm and Easy Rock Boracay Station Manager Mr. Alan Palma.

Lead by Municipal Tourism Officer Felix Delos Santos Jr. the pre-judging started off at Barangay Caticlan, where some of the MTO staff and Barangay leaders accompanied the judges.

The judging of barangays in the island of Boracay followed thereafter.

Courtesy calls to all Barangay captains were also made before each inspection was started.

Also present during the deliberation were Brgy, Captains Hon. Julieta Aron of Caticlan, Hon. Hector Casidsid of Yapak, Balabag Brgy. Secretary Jinky Salazar in behalf of Hon. Lilibeth Sacapano while Brgy. Manoc-manoc also sent a representative in behalf of Brgy. Captain Abram Sualog.

PLENTY oF QUESTIONS RAISED oN RATE HIKE oN WATER & WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT

The proposed rate increase for water and waste management services of the BIWCI was peppered with questions by the attendees during the public hearing held by the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

The attendees of the public hearing disagreed with the rate increase of Boracay Island Water Company Incorporated (BIWCI), while Town Council Member Rowen Aguirre questioned why there were only few who attended and wondered if the few number of attendees had an effect on the decision of TIEZA.

In response, Atty. Marites Alvarez said if there were only few attendees, TIEZA did not fall short in inviting to attend and informing the public of the planned rate increase amount.

The lawyer added that the public hearing could be considered legal since quorum was not needed.

Meanwhile, town Council Member Esel Flores pointed out that he believed the BIWCI business did not run at a loss in the past year despite the developments made by the company, because of this, he wondered why BIWCI has to make a rate increase.

Aside from the mentioned Council Members of Malay, all the attendees of the public hearing disagreed to the planned 35.4% rate increase. Especially that aside from asking questions on the rate increase, there were also some complaints expressed related to the operation of the BIWCI.