Dengue Cases in Aklan, dropped, Chikungunya cases, zero

Written by: Shelah Casiano

There has been a drop on dengue cases in Aklan this year.

In fact, according to Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Bong Quachon, the number of cases has lowered down to 15%.

From January 1st to June 22nd of this year, there were only 190 recorded cases, compared to the same period in 2012 where there were 226 cases.

There were also 6 recorded mortality incidents due to dengue last year, while in 2013, there were zero deaths.

This data was based on the accumulated reports from Rural Health Units, and Government and Private Hospitals.

Quachon said that most of the victims were children.

Meanwhile, when asked about Chikungunya outbreak, amid reports that there are areas in Western Visayas, particularly in Antique, affected by the disease similar to dengue, Dr. Quachon said that so far, there were no reports of existing cases from any units in Aklan.

He also confirmed that Dengue is more fatal than Chikungunya, as there were no recorded deaths with the latter, and usually occurs in adults.

All the same, the Provincial Health Officer still reminded the public to cooperate and follow the DOH's advice to prevent the mentioned diseases. 

Quachon also said that being aware of the department's advisories and programs can be of great help to avoid its spread. 

Illegal drainage connections at Bolabog, to be cleared out Monday

Written by: Bert Dalida

The beauty of Bolabog beach may now be restored.

And the flooding and the difficulty it brings to the residents may also ebb out.

This is because, come Monday, there will be a clearing out of illegal connected drainages in the area.

According to Malay Municipal Engineer and Task Force Save Bolabog Chairman, Elizer Casidsid, the removal of the said drainages must be started to save Bolabog beach.

With this, the Task Force will conduct an inspection and removal of disposal lines that are not connected to the sewer system.

Based on the report obtained by the LGU, these illegal connections impede the flow of rain water into the drainage which in turn causes floods.

Consequently, it pollutes the Bolabog beach as the waste water from the establishments flows into the sea.

Thus, Casidsid calls out for the attention of structures and or establishments with illegal connections.

Meanwhile, the Task Force which is composed of the LGU-Malay, stakeholders and other agencies in Boracay, was formed to put an end to the mentioned problem in Sitio Bolabog.

Translated by: Shelah Casiano

NEW INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT fROM SINGAPORE tO KALIBO DELIGHTED tHE DOT

Written by: Jay-ar M. Arante 

The new international flights from Singapore to Kalibo fromTiger Airways made the Department of Tourism Boracay glad.

http://bit.ly/17pTh51

According to DOT Boracay Officer In-Charge Tim Ticar, the flight schedule is two (2) times a week in order to bring Singaporean tourists to the province of Aklan specially to the Island of Boracay.

The route is an addition to the international flights of Tiger Airways.

Ticar added that this is a welcome development for the tourism industry of Boracay, further adding that with such expansion, the 1.5Million tourist arrivals target for 2013 will be reached.

Meanwhile, the DOT is hopeful that additional international flights to the province of Aklan will follow specially when the ongoing expansion at the Caticlan airport is finished.

Translated/Edited by: Rodel J. Abalus

Executive Order for TASK FORCE SAVE BOLABOG, still in floating status

Executive Order for Task Force on Save Bolabog is still in floating status.

It was learned that the said Executive Order, number 005 series of 2013, will be the implementing arm of the Task Force.

Led by Engr. Casidsid himself, this task force will safeguard the environment from natural, human and corporate harmful activities that affect the tourism industry of Boracay Island and the Municipality of Malay.

It is expected that all establishments and residential houses' that have illegal connections to the drainage will be inspected as soon as the order is approved.

According to Boracay Island Water Company and Tourism Infastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), there are lot of establishments and residential houses here that are not connected to the sewer line but to the drainage instead.

These illegal connections are believed to be the major contributor of drainage overflowing and flood.

With this the LGU Malay established the Task Force Mandatory Sewer Connection to adhere the problem.

The task force will then move as soon as the executive order is released.

Meanwhile, the task force’ name was later changed to Task Force Save Bolabog, due to some conflicts that might evolved.

Contributed by: Kate Panaligan

Governor Miraflores, intends to pursue reclamation in Caticlan

Written by: Alan Palma Sr.

The expansion of the Caticlan Jetty Port is on the list of Aklan Governor Joeben Miraflores’ plans.

This was stated by the newly appointed leader of the province during the BFI’s Induction of Officers last week.

Aside from the governor’s request for Senator Drilon’s assistance on the renovation and expansion of Kalibo International Airport, infrastructure programs as well as the passed up Reclamation Project are what he plans to focus on.

Miraflores also acknowledged the BFI’s previous retraction-now-turned-support-move for the reclamation with the condition that it will only be within 2.6 hectares.

The governor is now optimistic that the project will pursue and that there will be an early withdrawal of the TRO which the Supreme Court has previously issued due to environmental issues.

Meanwhile, Miraflores assured the stockholders that he will frequent Boracay to focus on the solutions on the issues in the island.

  Translated by: Shelah Casiano