First ever DTI “Speed Matching Event” in Region 6, held in Boracay

For the first time, the Department of Trade and Industry/DTI has held its “Speed Matching Event” in Boracay.

The meeting of suppliers and buyers from different regions had been enthusiastic as each delegate has given an opportunity to showcase their product and to meet their possible new partners or associates in the industry.

The mentioned event, which is under the DTI’s Leveraging Industries for Supply Chain Program, was based on “speed dating,” said DTI Provincial director Diosdado Cadena, where an individual will be assisted in searching for a partner for them to establish a relationship based on their conversation.

But with the Speed Matching event, suppliers and buyers are introduced with each other to establish a connection or business relationship.

In the event which was held yesterday at a resort in station 3, Boracay, products brought by delegates from Regions 3,6,7 and 10 such as processed meats, sea foods, “pasalubong” or for “presents”, fruits and vegetables were displayed and presented to the possible buyers during the activity.

According to Cadena the activity was an initiative of Region 7 as a pursuant of the DTI’s way to expand the tourism industry and has been a success in Cebu and Bohol, the reason that they have brought this concept to region 6 and was held in Boracay.

Present are representatives of different resorts and hotels, as well as Boracay Foundation Incorporated/BFI President, Jony Salme.

BIHA Needs to Join the BAG

Boracay Island Hopping Association (BIHA) already needs to join the Boracay Action Group (BAG).

Boracay Island Administrator Glenn Sacapaño said this on Thursday, October 11.     

 

This is allegedly because all sea sporting activities in Boracay Island already need to be upgraded to tourism standard.

The recommendation is in relation to the regulations that were discussed at the meeting between the Local Government of Malay and the Boracay Island Hopping Association on Wednesday, October 5.

Meanwhile, Sacapaño was allegedly delighted that everyone agreed on the proposals of the Mayor of Malay at the meeting.

Included in the proposals were the painting of BIHA pump boats with blue and white.

Another is the implementation 200 meter setback from the shoreline of Boracay for the anchoring of boats anywhere in the island. This isto prevent disrupting the rehabilitation of corals.

Another in the agreed upon proposals is the implementation by the BIHA of the displaying of tariffs set by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). This is allegedly for the prevention of confusion and of tourists from falling victim to unscrupulous commissioners.

Sacapaño believed that the necessity of discussing about commissioners should not have been necessary if no complaints of abuse had been received. He added that BIHA should serve as police to their guests or tourists and help in the program of BAG by joining it.

Boracay Action Group, to place Ring Buoys at the front beach

The Boracay Action Group or BAG will be placing ring buoys at the front beach.

In fact the group had already set some of these buoys which are attached to a 12 meter nylon rope in the beaches of station 3 at Barangay Balabag.

The Community Advisory released by the Boracay Action Group states that the setting up of the said buoys or floaters is the conceived answer for the rising drowning incidents in the island.

These will be attached to the posts at the shores with a 100 meter distance to ensure that anybody or everybody can use it in times of drowning incidents.

Even the security guards of resorts and establishments can respond to like cases using these buoys.

It has been learned that some resorts displayed initiative by placing their own ring buoys as a response to the BAG’s project.

When it comes to the issues on theft, the BAG asked the resorts to watch over they own buoys and to put it away for keeping every 5pm.

Meanwhile the Boracay Action Group continues on requesting for the support of other private sectors on the island for the said project to be successful.

Aklan a Billionaire Province When It Comes to Tax Collection

By the month of September, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Aklan has already exceeded the target collection of the whole district of Aklan.

The matter has delighted the Revenue District Officer (RDO) Ricardo Osorio since there are still three months before the year ends, yet the P914Million target tax collection for 2012 has been exceeded.

According to Osorio, who was interviewed on the first week of October, the tax already collected was at P935 Million, a surplus of more than P20 Million from the target collection.

In relation to this, Aklan can now be classified to be among the Billionaire provinces when it comes to tax collection because by December, collection is expected to reach a Billion.

In addition, although from January to August the collection was only P804 Million and the target was expected to be met only by November, P76 Million from a Boracay Real Estate transaction was collected which enabled the target to be met and exceeded.

Meanwhile, the RDO expressed gratitude for the cooperation from taxpayers and the Media of Aklan for the assistance rendered to the Bureau to enable it to do well in its collection, and exceed its target despite their lack of manpower.

Uniform colored boats for BIHA, promoted by LGU-Malay

Blue for the lower part and white for the upper portion.

This will be the color of the boats that is expected for the BIHA or the Boracay Island Hopping Association to have these following days.

Yesterday, the Local Government of Malay has promoted or encouraged for the BIHA pump boats to be identically painted as an additional tourist attraction.

Aside from having it painted with blue and white the boats will also be marked with Boracay Beach Management Program or BBMP’s logo which says “Sali Ako Diyan.”

During an interview with Boracay Island Administrator Glenn Sacapaño, he said apart from being an attraction this could also help in identifying boats on operation which can be considered “colorum.”

The implementation of the said plan will commence on November 15, 2012, a Thursday, where in the first ten of the more than 200 BIHA boats will be painted.

Sacapaño added, to lessen the operators’ loads, Mayor John Yap himself will be looking for a sponsor for the said project, an idea which the members of BIHA has agreed to.

The mentioned agenda was only one of the topics which have been tackled in yesterday’s meeting between the LGU and Boracay Island Hopping Association.