BFP Boracay doubling up the campaign against firecrackers

Each Barangays will be providing a designated area where firecrackers can be lit or used.

This is what Fire Inspector Joseph Cadag of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Boracay wants the public to understand for a safe Christmas and New Year celebration in the island of Boracay.

Cadag said that the government, specifically the Department of Health has a number of programs against accidents due to firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

In line with this, Barangay officials do provide a specific place where it can be used, and this is usually at the Plaza.

He added that they at the BFP Boracay are doubling up their efforts for this campaign.

Cadag also advised the Boracay and Malay community to alternatively use the traditional way of creating noise during the New Year, which are the lids of pots and pans as well as the trumpets.

Aside from this he added that, people could just opt to dance and music instead to avoid any accidents and for everybody’s safety.

"CHRISTMAS PAROLS oR CHRISTMAS STARS"

Source:http://bit.ly/12BQx2l

By: Rodel J. Abalus

Christmas is celebrated in the Philippines with different decorations put in display like in other countries.

But perhaps the Philippine Christmas display that can best be associated with the celebration is the Christmas Star or “Parol.”

According to Wikipedia, “The design of the paról evokes the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Kings to the manger. The “Parol” “also symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and the Filipinos' hope and goodwill during the Christmas season.”

The word paról is derived from the Spanish word farol which means "lantern".

Patterns of the paról evolved from the five-pointed paper star lantern originally crafted by an artisan named Francisco Estanislao in 1928. His creation was made of bamboo strips covered with papél de japón (Japanese paper), illuminated by a candle or kalburo (carbide). This kind of lantern was used by barrio folks to light their paths during the ritual yuletide dawn Masses called Misa de Gallo,..Electricity was yet unavailable at the time in many rural areas”

Boracay, the country’s premier tourist destination and the World’s Best Island of 2012, according to Travel+Leisure, has “Parols” lining the Main Road in Balabag. One just have to look up.

The “Parols” are in red, green and gold. One Parol hangs on each light post along the road. The stars’ diameter is about 5 inches and the tail is about 3 inches.

Brightly lighted “Parols” also line the right hand side perimeter of the Balabag Plaza which were officially lighted in the evening of December 15.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parol

X-ray examination for employees in Boracay, a requirement for Business Permit

Starting on January 2013, all employees in Boracay, particularly the “front liners” will undergo x-ray examination.

This is for the employees to acquire a Health Card and is also a requirement for the renewal of business permits of the establishments they are working for, explained Malay Administrator Godofredo Sadiasa.

He added that although this would be another expense for the employees, but this is also for their health’s benefit.

He also said this will be implemented in 2013, when in fact, having reviewed the Sanitation Ordinance, it showed that this was already included on the list of requirements for the annual business permit renewal.

Its goal is to ensure the health of the employees and to make certain that they do not have any contagious diseases, particularly the food handlers.

More so that Boracay is a tourist destination.

ENVIRONMENTAL CODE fOR BORACAY & MALAY - LGU oF MALAY aT WORK oN iT

The creation of an appropriate Municipal Environmental Code of Malay and Boracay is planned by the local government of Malay.

This is the reason why the Chief Executive of Malay wishes to start working on the plan.

First item on the plan is to appoint an expert consultant to assist in giving solution on environmental issues of the town of Malay and Boracay.

Because of this, an authority to enter into an agreement with an environmental specialist was asked by Malay Mayor John Yap from the Town Council.

Dr. Miguel Fortes of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute is being eyed to become the Consultant of the planned Environmental Code.

Garbage mismanagement in Boracay, fault of locals not tourists

Along with the influx of tourist in Boracay this super-peak season, is the possible worry of the trash they may leave behind.

However, this is not a problem, according to Island Administrator Glenn Sacapaño.

In fact he said, that these tourists are already informed, not only through the reminders they may meet along the way as they travel to Boracay - by means of signage and the likes - and the reminders of the resorts or establishments they've booked into.

But most of these travelers have been in other tourist’s destinations, both locally and internationally, thereby understands the manners when it comes to garbage management.

The problem of the proper waste disposal, Sacapaño added, actually lies on the locals.

In others words, tourist appears to be more disciplined compared to some locals who seemed to just let the constant reminders pass the other ear.

According to the Island Administrator they conduct a regular meeting and or seminars to resorts and establishments on the proper waste management and disposal, adding that assessors and or inspectors are also in action monitoring both the front and back beach areas.

When asked about the Municipal Tourism Office’s Beautification program, he said this is one of the LGU’s ways to inculcate to the local community the significance of their cooperation.

And this is to instill to the public that tourism is our major livelihood, and that we want the tourists to arrive at a clean and secure Boracay, fitting its title as the best beach in the world.