DPWH gets clearance from DENR to fill up a lake in Balabag

The filling up and or embankment of a certain lake in Boracay which will be affected by the Circumferential Road Project is sure to push through.

This followed after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has concluded their discourse regarding this certain lake in Barangay Balabag.

According to Boracay CENRO Officer Merza Samillano, the DPWH now have a CNC or Certificate of Non-coverage which is a clearance from the DENR to carry on with the project.

Samillano however explained that only a fraction of the lake will be covered and will become a part of the road.

The DENR had previously opposed the action as the DPWH has no proper documentation or permit from their department.

The mentioned lake was said to be one of those that the DENR is protecting.

DEADLINE FOR HELMET INSPECTION: DECEMBER 28, FRIDAY-DTI

The deadline for attaching ICC stickers on helmet of motorist will be on Friday, December 28, at 5pm.

This directive was given by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the motorists of Aklan.

Despite being busy in monitoring Noche Buena Products, and on the possible Price Freeze in kalibo due to the recent flooding, DTI Aklan Director, Diosdado Cadena said that motorists who wish to have their helmets inspected and attached with ICC stickers are welcome.

The deadline was set for Friday since the days that will follow will be DTI employees’ New Year’s break.

Moreover, as of press time, no directive had been received from the DTI National Office on whether there would be an extension for helmet inspection and attaching of stickers when their employees resume office in January of 2013.

Boracay resorts to join the Fireworks Display, no permit yet

Resorts and or establishments in Boracay that will be joining the Fireworks Display are expected to acquire a permit today.

This is according to island Administrator Glenn Sacapano during yesterday’s interview, wherein he said that that no one has acquired a Mayor’s Permit yet.

They are however expected to rush into the Mayor’s Office today, a Friday and the last office day for this year.

The Fireworks Display in Boracay has become one of the tourists’ anticipated events and has been conducted annually with the coordination and cooperation of resorts and establishments in the island.

Every December 31^st at 12 midnight these fireworks are lit simultaneously at the front beach.

Sacapano also explained that the display will be done on the waters or will be boarded on motorboats so that its litter and residue will not be left at the white sands.

This aims to protect the beach area as well as the public or the spectators to be out of harm’s way.

STREETS aRE PASSABLE; "PRICE FREEZE" MIGHT BE DECLARED aT KALIBO

If during the night before the government had a difficult time transporting evacuees to evacuation centers due to strong flood water current, by early Thursday morning, December 27, street flood water, rainfall, and strong water current flowing from the Aklan River, had gradually decreased.

Nevertheless, as of press time, there were still areas submerged in water according to Provincial DisasterRisk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC)-Aklan Executive Officer, Galo Ibardolaza.

However, despite the presence of water on streets, streets were already passable for large vehicles.

Public transportation had been resumed especially for buses. On the other hand,  for small vehicles, there were only few passable streets and areas that were accessible.

Meanwhile, in a separate report, there is a possibility that a "Price Freeze" will be declared by the Department of Trade and Industry  (DTI) Aklan in the town of Kalibo because of last night’s flooding.

This was learned from DTI Aklan Director Diosdado Cadena in an interview.

According to Cadena, an official declaration is being awaited for Kalibo to be declared “Under the State of Calamity” from the Local Government of Kalibo.

If the town is declared under a State of Calamity, there will be no increase in the prices of basic commodities such as instant noodles, milk, candle, sardines, salt, and other canned goods, and the prices of such commodities will be monitored.

The Price Freeze will last for sixty (60) days, or until the LGU has not lifted its State of Calamity declaration.

Tourist arrivals in Boracay on Christmas season, spiked up

The number of tourist coming to Boracay for Christmas increased even more.

According to the Malay Tourism Office, this year’s tourist arrival is more than 20,000 higher with that of the previous year.

Their data showed that from December 1^st to 24 of 2012 the arrivals already reached 60,000, which is much higher compared to 2011 with 40,000 recorded arrivals on the same date.

However even with the increasing number, all of these tourists have been accommodated.

Meanwhile the MTO is still expecting that this number will continue to spike up during the New Year.