LGU Malay, “Blind” as to what illegal structures are to be torn down

The Local Government of Malay is still sightless or “blind” as to what establishments in Boracay beach front are on the list for demolition.

According to Malay Municipal Planning Officer and Zoning Officer Alma Beliherdo, they haven’t received any official list from the National Boracay Task Force until now.

The mentioned Task Force laid the plan on the demolition of illegal structures on the island.

Previously, Aklan Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Iven Reyes mentioned that 293 establishments and or illegal structures are set to be torn down.

Yesterday, a dialogue occurred between the stakeholders and the task force lead by Atty. Helen J. Catalbas, Regional Director of DOT-6 and the spokesperson for this issue.

However Beliherdo said that even the local government was not invited to the said talk, thereby leaving them with no idea of what has transpired.

Nonetheless, based on the Zoning Officer’s initial knowledge, Station 1 will be much affected since the area has a number of illegal structures such as sea walls and tents set on the beach line.

She added that there will be no demolition of resorts as it is only their extensions which are within the 25+5 meter easement, except from a certain bar which will be entirely removed.

The task force had earlier said that they plan to have this implemented on the coming March or April.

WANTED: COPY oF tHE LIST oF STRUCTURES fOR DEMOLITION aT tHE fRONT BEACH

The demolition of illegal structures in Boracay was previously reported to start on March or April 2013.

However, the Town Council of Malay allegedly has no information on what resorts or establishments will be affected.

Town Council Member Rowen Aguirre is allegedly worried that when a statement is issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on the removal of illegal structures, the number of illegal structures increases.

While Aguirre has an idea that tents and other temporary structures are the ones to be removed since they are within the 25 plus 5 easement specified by the law implemented by the DENR, he wishes for a copy of the DENR list of illegal structures for the Town Council.

He added that it seemed to appear that the LGU of Malay had not done anything to take action on the illegal structures, so he expressed his wish to have a copy of the almost three hundred establishments which will be affected by the demolition.

800 police officers, dispatched for Kalibo Ati-atihan

To ensure the security of the Ati-atihan celebration, 800 police personnel have been dispatched to different areas in Kalibo.

The distribution of the police force started off last Monday, when devotees of Sr. Santo Niño began their street dancing.

The celebration is expected to last for a week or until Monday, as activities are still going to be held on Sunday night.

According to PO3 Nida Gresgas, Public Information Officer of the Aklan Provincial Office, some of this 800 police were from Antique, Capiz, Iloilo and regional Mobile Group or RMG.

This year’s Kalibo Ati-atihan kicked off on January 14 and will be celebrated until the 20^th of the month.

"MS COLUMBUS 2" & "MS EUROPA" tO VISIT BORACAY iN FEBRUARY & MARCH 2013

Two (2) cruise ships will be arriving in Boracay in the early months of this year.

"MS COLUMBUS 2"

This had been confirmed by the Department of Tourism 6 (DOT-6) Regional Director, Atty. Helen J. Catalbas.

According to Catalbas, the cruise ship “MS Columbus 2” is expected to arrive in Boracay on February 24, while “MS Europa” will be in the island on March 19, both cruise ships are from the German transportation company Hapag Lloyd Cruises.

Catalbas said that “MS Columbus 2” has six hundred ninety eight (698) passenger capacity, while the “MS Europa” has a capacity of more than four hundred (4oo+).

She added that the DOT is coordinating with authorities for the arrival of the two cruise ships.

"MS EUROPA"

The arrival of the two cruise ships in the island allegedly shows that Boracay has become a more popular tourist destination. Catalbas also added that this is only the beginning.

"LEGEND OF THE SEAS"

Back in October, the DOT Regional Director said that the cruise ship market will be the focus in 2013 for Boracay.

The cruise ship “Legend of the Seas,” with about two thousand passengers, visited the island in October 2012.

Red Cross’ Fun Run in Boracay, a Guinness Book of World Records participant

Come February and the Fun Run to be held in Boracay will be an entry to the Guinness Book of World Records.

With this, the Red Cross Boracay- Malay Chapter encourages the whole community to take part in the mentioned event.

Red Cross Boracay aims to gather more participants as this event will be a part of the nationwide fun run by the Philippine Red Cross and will be counted on the official number to be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records.

This Fun Run by the Philippine Red Cross will be conducted spontaneously in all its chapters in the country.

Boracay’s version however will be unique as this will take place on the beach area, others will take the usual place which is the streets.

Nonetheless all participants will be counted altogether.

According to Jana Marasigan of PRC Boracay-Malay Chapter, this event to be held on February 10 can also be a family activity.

Children can join the three kilometer run, teenagers on a five kilometer run, and seven kilometers for adults.

And although this event has a registration fee, but with this they can also take home some souvenirs and other useful items.