"SIN" TAX LAW - nO HUGE IMPACT oN BORACAY TOURISTS

The Sin Tax Law will not have a big impact on tourists in Boracay especially on foreign tourists.

This was the statement of Dionesio “Jony” Salme, the President of the Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) when he was reached for reaction on the issue.

He explained that if the prices of alcoholic beverages and cigarette from the Philippines and other countries are to be compared, the so called “sin” products have relatively much higher prices in other countries.

However, according to Salme, those who will be more affected by the price increase on the “sin” products will be the local consumers.

Salme, nevertheless, believes that in the long run this will be beneficial to the health of cigarette, and alcoholic beverage consumers since their vices will be lessened due to the price increase.

He also expressed personal support to the passing into law of the Sin Tax Bill.

 President Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act No. 10351 or the Sin Tax Bill into law in December 2012. With the passage, there will be a yearly increase on “sin” products.

This was despite the opposition from tobacco farmers and wine and spirit distillers.

For a unified answer, Malay Mayor Yap opts for Consultative Meeting

All collaborators and those who are involved in a certain topic will be invited for a meeting to achieve a unified answer.

This is what the Chief Executive of Malay aims to happen whenever the Local Government will be introducing a new project or new implementations.

All Department Heads of LGU-Malay, other organizations, cooperatives and associations, particularly the implementers  will be call upon to attend for a one time discussion and arrive at a uniformed answer from everybody.

In line with this, Mayor John Yap conducted a Consultative Meeting yesterday.

Almost all groups were called to attend, including BLTMPC, BIHA, Mabuhay Host, all LGU- Dept. Heads, Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry /PCCI, Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI), Boracay and Malay Police, Coast Guard, Army and Maritime.

This is still a part of the Mayor’s goal to maintain the coordination and or accord in Boracay and the entirety of Malay.

Yesterdays Consultative meeting included an agenda on the Chief Executive’s plan to construct a port at Brgy. Sambiray for boats intended for Island Hopping.

ID SYSTEM-MANDATORY aT BALABAG. BORACAY ISLAND

If one is to apply for Village Clearance in Balabag, one has to get a Village ID.

The implemented ID System is mandatory for regular employees and residents of Balabag Village in Boracay Island.

This was what Emely Jinky Alecante, the Balabag Village Administrator said in an interview on January 4, 2013.

According to Alecante, the application for ID System or ID Card will be strictly implemented when applying for a Village Clearance which is in turn a requirement when applying for a Business Permit.

Alecante said the fee for Village Clearance is fifty pesos (P50).

The fee for the ID is two hundred and fifty pesos (P250) for residents of Balabag, and three hundred pesos (P300) for regular employees or transients, who are employed in Balabag.

The mentioned ID Card has a three (3) year validity.

The Village Administrator also clarified that a Village Clearance is also given to those who are new in the Village provided that a Village Clearance from where they come from is presented when applying for a Balabag Clearance.

Services and Facilities, paid for by the tourists

Quality service in exchange for the expenses the tourist made for a trip to Boracay.

This is what the Department of Tourism or DOT wants to happen.

In an interview with DOT Boracay Officer in Charge, Tim Ticar, this is the message he implied as an answer to the question as to why old and defective tricycles are still operating.

He clarified that the inspection of these tricycles is not in the scope of the DOT.

Instead it is the job of the Transportation Department of the LGU-Malay who provides franchises to these units.

Ticar admitted that there are really some tricycles that are not pleasant looking but are still allowed to operate.

This scenario he added is not fit for an international standard.

For this reason, he cited this as one of the problems in Boracay.

When in fact these transportation facilities are included in promoting or selling the name of this tourist destination that is Boracay, and that the standard of facilities and quality of services are actually being paid for by the tourists.

And it is just right to give it to them.

TRANSPORTATION fOR TOURISTS -SCRUTΪNIZED bY tHE DOT

Vehicles rendering service to tourists at Boracay and Kalibo are being scrutinized by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

This is so since when it is about tourist transportation, the DOT is in charge of its endorsement.

The scrutiny is allegedly to make sure that the facilities are presentable and comfortable for passengers of shuttle buses, vans and other vehicles servicing tourists.

According to Tim Ticar, the DOT Boracay Officer In Charge, vehicles which are more than two (2) years old are no longer endorsed.

Ticar added that in the inspection that is being conducted, it is being made certain that chairs, the airconditioning and the vehicles themselves are still in good condition.

Nevertheless, when it comes to “kolorums” or those without franchise, and the so called “Made in Italy,” referring to vehicles whose backside are already attached to vehicles just by the use of “tali” or rope in English but are still used for transportation at Caticlan and Kalibo, this allegedly is already the obligation of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).