CAAP ignores SB Malay thrice

The Municipal Council of Malay felt insulted as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) ignored their invitation for three times now.

This is what SB Member Dante Pagsugiron has revealed during his privilege speech on yesterday’s session.

This is in relation to the status of lot owners in Caticlan affected by the expansion or development of the Boracay Airport.

The councilor said that they have already sent CAAP an invitation thrice. The agency was said to be the lots’ buyer.

The council aims to enlighten the lot owners in Caticlan on why the lands were bought from them in a very low price compared to what they have paid, putting them in a disadvantaged position.

However CAAP has not responded to their invitation or even just acknowledged it through a letter.

For this reason, the SB Malay has formed an adhoc committee to give this issue a focus and they will again appeal to CAAP and even the developers of the airport in order for them to be enlightened as well

OPERATORS aND EMPLOYEES oF SEA SPORTS COMPLAIN oF SLOW BUSINESS

If the life of commissioners is allegedly comfortable because of the commission they receive and the price they offer to every tourist they get has additions, sea sport operators and employees, on the other hand, are complaining.

Sea Sport operators and employees are apparently complaining since they have few customers even when it is already peak season.

Despite admitting that there are more tourists this year, the employees voiced out that their income is low compared to the same period in 2012.

The sentiments were expressed through an interview on Monday afternoon, March 11 by different Sea Sport establishments in Boracay stationed at the loading and unloading area of Station 2.

No problems with Water Quality in the Beaches of Boracay, said DENR

“OK and no problem”

This has been the remark on the water quality on the beaches of Boracay by Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Boracay Focal Person Ric Benjamin.

All the same, the office of the EMB Region VI will still carry out a formal presentation to the stakeholders regarding the water quality testing on the “2012 Best Beach in the World” that is Boracay.

The presentation will be held on Monday, 18^th of March 2013.

During which the DENR-EMB will be presenting the results of examinations on the mentioned waters conducted in 2012.

It was learned that the water analysis on the island is being done every two months.

Benjamin added that this isn’t just a simple presentation for public knowledge on the waters’ condition, but the agency will also lay out the steps on how to maintain its quality to keep the tourists on coming back.

Meanwhile, he clarified that the presentation on Monday has nothing to do with the DENR’s demolition of illegal structures in Boracay.

ALLEGED FREQUENT ABSENCE oF MALAY MAYOR YAP, EXPLAINED

The criticism on the alleged frequent absence of Mayor John Yap was positively received by his camp.

According to Malay Administrator Godofredo Sadiasa, if ever the Chief Executive travels, it is part of his job, and if he goes on vacation or go out of the country, it is the right of the Mayor.

Sadiasa added that included in the travels of the Mayor are if there are invitations for gatherings for him to represent the Town of Malay or Boracay.

Aside from this, Sadiasa said it does not mean that he had taken his work for granted since there are personnel like department heads whom he leaves behind to respond when his constituency has needs.

The Administrator said that they are thankful to those people who were able to notice and are watching over the Mayor which means they are concerned about the town.

The Mayor was not in town in the previous days, and the past week and he temporarily let Vice Mayor Ceciron Cawaling take charge.

There have been some critics who have said that it seemed Mayor Yap was already confident with his position since he has no opponent in the May 2013 Mid Term Elections.

Stakeholders, contributed greatly for Boracay acquiring the “2013 best beach in Asia”

It is the “Collective efforts” of different sectors in Boracay that led the island to its recognition as “2013 Travelers’ Choice best beach in Asia.”

Wherein, the cooperation of the stakeholders and private sectors is a great contribution in maintaining the beauty of the island, said Malay Administrator, Godofredo Sadiasa.

He said that, in the Local Government’s side, they don’t consider Boracay’s increasing popularity to be a “pressure” particularly when it bagged the title as “2012 Best Beach in the World.”

Instead, they take this as a “challenge” to uphold the title that the island is enjoying now.

This has also turned into inspiration to do more for the island.

Earlier, the Department of Tourism has revealed that it was dubbed as Trip Advisor’s “2013 Travelers’ Choice best beach in Asia.”

And its Boracay’s white sands and crystal clear waters that fetched the award for it.