No recorded cases of Heatstroke in Aklan, said PHO

Tremendous heat is now being experienced not only in Boracay but in the whole province of Aklan.

However amid this high temperature, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) as of the moment has no recorded case of heatstroke, said PHO Officer Dr. Cornelio Cuatchon.

But Cuatchon said this is not a guarantee that there is no heatstroke victim in the entire province, since they still have to receive the records of other hospitals in Aklan.

As of the present the Provincial Hospital has no documented case of the mentioned heat related condition.

Nonetheless, the PHO Officer advised the public about the 6 “S” that the Department of Health has launched and is about the maladies which can be brought about by this kinf of weather.

This includes Sore eyes, sunburn, flu and cough (sipon at ubo), vomiting and excretion, skin diseases and even dog bites.

The officer said, these diseases can be avoided if hygiene can be maintained, such as practicing hand washing and to keep the immune system healthy.

Meanwhile, the Dr. said they have a recorded case where a tourist in Boracay suffered from sore eyes.

Case for the slain Ati Spokesperson, progresses

After two months, the case for the slain Ati Spokesperson Dexter Condez is now progressing.

Condez was killed on the night of February 22, 2013 while on his way to their village at Sitio Lugutan, Manoc-manoc with other two female Atis.

According to Region VI Deputy Police Superintendent, Manuel Felix, Dexter’s case is no longer in the hands of the Philippine National Police (PNP) because it has already been brought up to the Higher Court.

Cases have been filed against three individuals, including Daniel Celestino, the first suspect for the crime; the names of the other two suspects were withheld.

In line with this the Commission on Human Rights or CHR assured that they will be giving attention for the fast resolve of the case.

Also, during the Department of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima’s visit at the Ati Community she expressed that they are sternly monitoring Dexter’s case so that it can be given due and prompt justice.

PRC'S BEACH MANAGEMENT, ASSISTS SWIMMERS iN BORACAY

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Boracay-Malay Chapter in auxiliary capacity is augmenting or assisting the LGU Life Guards of Boracay to help and not compete in ensuring the safety of everyone.

In an interview with John Patrick Moreno, detailed Staff Nurse of the PRC Boracay-Malay Chapter, it was learned that the primary duty of Red Cross Life Guards is Beach Management, and life saving as the last resort.

He added that their primary areas of responsibility are those that are between the red and yellow flags at the beach front.

Their duty is Mondays to Sundays from 8am to 10am, and 4pm to 6:30pm and their mandate was officially started and implemented on November 16, 2012.

Moreno explained that Beach Management includes informing people to swim within the yellow and red flag areas so that they could be supervised by the Red Cross Lifeguards, telling people not to swim far away from shore and not to swim when there are strong waves.

Beach Management also entails instructing swimmers wearing life saving devices not to go far from the shore, bringing kids who are not supervised to their parents, telling hazardous swimmers or people who are wearing pants and/or t-shirts to remove their t-shirts and/or pants when swimming since these materials are heavy when wet and could pose danger.

People are also told under the PRC Life Guards’ Beach Management role to avoid swimming when there is a rip, when they are drunk, when there is lightning.

Moreno further added that there will be a Life Guarding event entitled “Festivals of the Wind” to be held by the PRC Malay-Boracay Chapter on May 17 and 18, 2013 and this will consist of “Lifeguard Competition” and “Ocean Swim and Adventure Run.”

 The event will be a form of Life Guarding demonstration.


Written and Contributed by: Rodel J. Abalus

COMELEC Aklan believes in the young voters drive to political change

"The youth is the hope of the Fatherland."

Kalibo Acting Comelec Officer Mr. Getulio M. Esto quoted Jose Rizal when asked regarding the impact of young voters to the political system.

Although they don’t have the exact percentage of new registered voters that belongs to the youth sector, since all the registrants are included in one listing per municipality, Esto said that ages 18 to 25 is considered to be a vast age group of voters.

He explained that most of these young voters have a fresh view on the electoral process and is not influenced by the traditional approach which sometimes can be unpleasant, thereby are more positive in the idea of reform.

The Commission, he said encourages these youth to fully practice their constitutional rights granted by Article 5 of the Philippine constitution which is the Right to Suffrage. They encourage them to register and let their voices be heard.

Esto said that the active participation of the young generation can be seen and felt as many have been present during the registration period.

He also believes that they have a drive that shows they are ready for the change that the Philippine political system has long been seeking.

TATTOO ARTISTS oF BORACAY, tO SHOWCASE TALENTS & SKILLS THRU SAFE & CLEAN TATTOOING

Safe and clean tattooing, this is what ALIMA Skin Arts Club Inc. wants to promote on their invitation to the Department of Health (DOH) of Region 6 for a seminar to be held on the 26^th of April of the present year.

According to ALIMA Founder Sanny Señeres, their aim is for their fellow tattoo artists in Boracay to undergo the seminar.

Apparently, this is to enable them to acquire the proper knowledge on the regulations that need to be followed by tattoo artists for a safe and clean tattoing.

Señeres added that it is an additional feature for tattoo artists to be accredited and certified by the DOH that they are following the standards of the mentioned health agency especially for the safety and health of their customers.

He further added that, it would be valuable for tattoo artists of the island to take the rare opportunity and attend the seminar from the DOH.

The mentioned seminar is related to the activity of the ALIMA 3^rd Boracay Tattoo Wars wherein tattoo artists will showcase their talent and skill at skin art.

The 3^rd Boracay Tattoo Wars will is to be held on the 26^th until the 27^th of April, 2013.

KKK Drive, launches by Catholic Church

The Catholic Church launches the KKK or Karapat-dapat na Kandidato Drive.

It is to help voters select the right candidate in this upcoming May 13 Election.

According to the report, the church will show video presentation after mass ever y Sunday in line with choosing the right candidate.

However, based on the interview to Father Arnold Crisostomo of Boracay Holy Rosary Parish Church, he does not yet have an idea about this.

The said launching is very helpful in giving guidelines for the voters to select the right candidate.

He said that even without the KKK drive, he is already giving guidelines to the people during his mass.

He added that voters should choose candidate that has a good dream for his fellowmen.

ENFORCEMENT oF "DRUG FREE WORK PLACE" POLICY tO BE ASKED fOR bY PDEA fROM BORACAY STAKEHOLDERS

The whole island of Boracay cannot be considered drug free despite the strict implementation of the law against illegal drugs.

This was confirmed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Director, Atty. Ronnie Delicana.

Upon confirmation that Boracay is not drug free, Delicana said that PDEA will convince establishments or stakeholders of the island to enforce a “Drug Free Work Place” Policy at their establishments.

According to Atty. Delicana, this will happen by means of monitoring by the establishments of their own employees.

Because of this, there is allegedly a plan by PDEA to go to the island and ask stakeholders to implement the Policy.

Atty. Delicana added that PDEA does not wish for the name of Boracay to be tarnished because of illegal drugs.

This he said could possibly result to the demise of the livelihood of employees and businesses in the island.

He further added that the eradication of illegal drugs cannot be done by the government without the cooperation from the people like stakeholders.

Boracay Holiday, to kick off on May 1st

Everybody is expected to join and witness a history-in-the-making event on the number one tourists’ destination that is Boracay.

Children, adults, Boracay locals, foreigners, volunteers and even tourists are sure to work together as the Boracay Holiday kicks off on May 1.

This is what Boracay Island Administrator Glenn Sacapaño has confirmed during an interview yesterday.

For the event, the LGU Malay, Business sectors, DepEd, and Baranggays are going to join in the island clean-up, within the 18-day activity.

Each participating sector will have its own clean-up schedules.

The event aims to promote oneness in maintaining Boracay’s title as number one, and to preserve it for the future generations.

Despite the name “Boracay Holiday”, those from mainland Malay will also take part in the occasion.

Sacapaño also confirmed that the “Boracay Holiday” is a part of the Boracay Beach Management Program or BBMP which is known for its slogans “Sali ako diyan” and “Sa Boracay Ako, For Boracay I will.”

Aside from the mentioned activity, the date was already declared by the Municipal Council as a holiday for the island.

The Administrator is hoping that this will be approved by the congress.

Meanwhile Sacapano is extending his invitation for everybody to take part and be one on May 1^st, 2013.

BORACAY INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL, tO BE HELD oN APRIL 25 tO 27, 2013

There are more entries for the Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival this year compared to 2012.

Aside from the increase, according to the organizer of the Boracay Island Paddler Association (BIPA) President Neneth Graf, the number of participants from the island has increased.

Nevertheless, Graf added that there are more participants from Singapore.

In addition, there will be more than nine hundred (900+) paddlers who will join the competition. However, the BIPA President admitted that they are facing challenges.

She said that they currently lack financial support, and that they are trying to come up with solutions on the matter for the things needed in the competition especially for the awards to be given to the competitors. She added that BIPA plans to seek help from the Chief Executive of Malay.

Nonetheless, Graf gave assurance that the event, to be joined by delegations from different parts of the world, will push thru.

The event will be held at the Beach of Station 2 of Boracay from April 25 until the 27^th.

Meanwhile, if during the 2012 BIPA Festival held in Boracay, there was an issue since the event fell on the same date with the same kind of event, on the same venue from the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF), this year it seems that the event of the BIPA was again sabotaged according to Graf.

This is because, although the event of PDBF will be held in Bohol, the event will be held on the same date with that of the BIPA’s event.

Graf further added that even such is the case BIPA’s event still has many participants.

Security at Entry and Exit points in Boracay, tightened

The Coast Guard is now rigidly monitoring the entry and exit points in Caticlan and Boracay.

Coast Guard Caticlan Assistant Senior Chief Petty Officer Ronnie Hiponia said, they are 

making sure that K9 units are being deployed in all the entry points going to Boracay, including the cargo area and even before any RORO crafts departs.

This is to ensure that no illegal objects and or articles can make a way into the area.

This followed after news of bombings in public places abroad has risen up.

Hiponia however said that although the Caticlan Coast Guard has 3 K9s, which are being used for the whole Province, the Assistant Commander admitted that they are short on K9 handlers.

The reason only two of the squad’s dogs are in use.

Nonetheless, they are still making sure that all who enters the island, and those boarding on and off the RORO will pass through a close inspection.