PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD oN HIGHTENED ALERT, BORACAY ACTION GROUP tO FOCUS oN tHE BEACHFRONT - DURING tHE HOLY WEEK

The Philipine Coastguard is on heightened alert in preparation for the arrival of vacationers during the Holy Week.

According to Lt. Senior Grade Oliver Vingno of the Philippine Coastguard, passenger assistance centers had been set up on all the ports in Caticlan and Boracay starting two weeks ago.

There were also coastguards who had been posted at the beach front who could be called on for help when there is an accident.

Vingno added that the wearing of life jacket for boat passengers will be strictly implemented. He also reminded boat passengers to write their names on the manifesto.

Boat owners were also encouraged to change old life jackets into the new ones.

Meanwhile, according to Boracay Island Administrator Glenn Sacapaño, the full force of the Boracay Action Group (BAG) will be focusing on the beachfront for the implementation of the Anti-littering Ordinance.

Operation of Bars on Good Friday carries on

Tourists in Boracay who want to go out for a drink on Good Friday should not worry.

This is because bars and restaurants in the island will still be open during that day.

The implemented “no party on good Friday” will not paralyze these establishments operation.

This is what Department of Tourism OIC Tim Ticar has clarified during an interview yesterday.

What these establishments must do, he added, is to refrain from creating loud sounds and or noises particularly during the night, while Christians, particularly Catholics spending their vacation on the island could carry on with their meditation.

Previously, the Catholic Church on the island expressed their delight after the local government passed a resolution prohibiting activities in Boracay that may cause noise on Good Friday, from 6 in the evening up to 6 in the morning of Black Saturday.

FIRST AID STATIONS tO BE SET uP iN THE ISLAND bY tHE RED CROSS fOR tHE HOLY WEEK

First Aid stations will be set up by the Philippine Red Cross in Boracay Island during the Holy Week.

According to Red Cross Malay-Boracay Chapter Staff Nurse, John Patrick Moreno, the purpose of the First Aid stations is to respond to the first aid needs of tourists.

Several First Aid stations will be set up at Boracay’s beachfront, aside from the posting of Red Cross life guards.

There will also be two (2) First Aid stations at the considered number one shopping destination of Boracay, D’Mall.  Two to three nurses will be posted at the area.

The schedule of service will be from eight (8am) in the morning until five (5pm) in the afternoon, from Holy Wednesday, until Easter Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross Youth-In-Charge Janna Marasigan encouraged vacationers who are feeling dizzy, experiencing body pain, and stricken by heat stroke due to the hot weather to go to their first aid stations.

In addition, all trained volunteers of the Red Cross who are willing to help and are free during the activity are being called upon by the agency to render service.

LGUS’s “No party on Good Friday,” not a loss on tourism, said DOT

What the Local Government of Malay did was just right.

This is what Department of Tourism OIC Tim Ticar has said regarding the LGU’s move to refrain from granting permits for any parties or noisy activities in Boracay on Good Friday.

Although tourists came to Boracay to party, Ticar believes that many of them are Catholics and are not partying during the mentioned day.

It is just right, he added, to give even just a day for reflection.

Moreover, this move by the LGU will further promote the island as a part of a Christian Country in Asia, by showing that Boracay is not solely for “all time” party.

This is why the DOT does not believe that a no party on a Good Friday will be a loss for the tourism industry.

 In line with this, Ticar assures that the tourists and vacationers will still enjoy because of the island’s beautiful scenery and white sands.

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE oF FORMER MALAY PNP CHIEF P/INSP MARK CORDERO tO BE RECOGNIZED

The exceptional service of former Malay PNP Chief P/Insp. Mark Cordero is planned to be recognized by the Town Council of Malay.

In a motion opened by Town Council Member Rowen Aguirre on a privilege speech at the Town session on Tuesday, March 19, he said that the service of Cordero being the chief of Malay PNP in a span of more or less two years was “excellent”.

Aguirre added that Cordero was not involved in any issue and was a diligent law enforcer during his tenure.

Regarding the matter, Aguirre put forward a resolution to recognize the achievements of the former Malay PNP Chief.

Cordero had been given a different assignment by the provincial office and had left the Town of Malay.

Meanwhile Malay has a new PNP Chief in the person of P/S Ins. Renante R. Jomocan.

Life jackets on Motorboats in Boracay, to be replaced

The life jackets used by passenger boats in Boracay will be replaced.

This is what Coastguard-Caticlan Chief, Lieutenant Senior Grade Jimmy Oliver Vingno has confirmed during an interview on Saturday.

The coastguard has already required the operators and crews to replace the life vests with new ones which are more pleasant.

He said that almost 70% have already done so in the last two weeks.

Meanwhile, Vingno noted that it is the Maritime Industry Authority or MARINA that regulates and provides the accreditation with regards to appropriate life jackets to be used.

Therefore it is the MARINA who can tell what would be the proper color and type of these life vests.

Vingno also confirmed that this move is still a part of the preparation for the Holy Week.