Island’s hospital renovation bothers SB Malay

Posted September 18, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante M. Arante

The slow moving construction and renovation of  Don Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital situated in the heart of the island once again created a strong concern to some of the local legislator.

The issue emerged again during Malay Sangguniang Bayan session on Tuesday.

According to SB Member Rowen Aguirre, indigent families in the island are now affected due to insufficient space to be provided in case they seek for health service.

He also pointed out that this will affect the preparation of the island in hosting the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Conference or APEC to be held on May of next year.

As committee chairman of the Laws and Ordinances, Aguirre discussed his sponsored resolution to fast-track the construction of the said hospital.  The resolution will be forwarded to Department of Health as the supervising department of the renovation project.

There have been instances of patients referred to the nearby Municipal Health Unit but most often cannot be entertained due to lack of health equipment.

For now the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay is hurrying to pass the resolution which will be deliberated for the second and final reading.

Pope Francis expected to join Ati-Atihan Festival 2015

Posted September 17, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

Pope Francis is expected to join the celebration of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival 2015.

He will visit to the country this coming January 15 to 19 2015 at the areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda including the province of Aklan.

On the other hand Reverend Father Ulysses Dalida, Administrator of the Diocese of Kalibo said that the schedule of Ati-Atihan Festival will be on January 9 to 18 to give way to the Pope's visit to the mother of all festivals in the country.

Recently the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (KASAFI) discussed the change in the schedule of the annual celebration of the Feast of Santo Niño, making the seven day celebration into ten days.

Meanwhile, devotees of Senior Santo Niño expressed joy for the expected visit of Pope Francis to the festival where it's their first time to see the Pope.

Flood in front of Boracay Hospital: It could not happen again

Posted September 16, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

The Local Government Unit (LGU) Malay thinks that flood in front of Boracay Hospital could never happen again.

According to Municipal Engineer OIC Engr. Arnold Solano, the water is now expected to continuously flow into the drainage after the conduct of declogging operations in assistance with the Boracay Island Water Company (BIWC) and Boracay Solid Waste Action Team (BSWAT).

Aside from this, Solano added that after a series of conversation together with the LGU and BIWC, they were now planning to open other holes and drainages in the island.

Solano said that Boracay National High School and Pinaungon Mainroad will be next to their declogging operations.

Meanwhile, it will be recalled that Boracay Hospital was often into flooding issue because of various cement’s sacks that was hoard into the drainage where Island Administrator Glenn Sacapaño and BFI President Jony Salme were also disappointed.

Translated by Gloria Villas

Minimum standard for E-Trikes in Boracay being studied by SB Malay

Posted September 16, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay is now studying the minimum standard for Electric tricycle (e-trike) in the island of Boracay.

This was also discussed in the previous SB session in Malay during the committee report of SB member and Chairman of the Committee on Laws Rowen Aguirre as well as with the adopted policy and guidelines for the accreditation of suppliers of e-trikes on the island.

Discussed during the session is the unit’s height which is 1.5 meters, width which is 1.45 meters or 1.62 meters if the unit has side mirrors, 3.23 meters or 2.12 meters for the length, while the seating capacity should not exceed seven passengers.

Meanwhile all electric tricycle manufacturer or suppliers should undergo accreditation from the municipality of Malay before its operation.

Aguirre emphasized that the minimum standard for the electric tricycle is for the safety and comport of its passengers.

Kalibo’s dumping site now a serious environmental threat in the province of Aklan

Posted September 15, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) committee was prompted to conduct an inquiry into the matter when the Sangguniang Barangay of Old Buswang furnished the body of its resolution addressed to local officials of Kalibo seeking for the immediate closure of the Kalibo’s dumping site.

Kalibo’s dumping site is located at the adjoining barangay of Bakhaw Sur, along the Sooc River, one of the extensions of the Aklan River.

Unless drastic remedial measures are undertaken, the threat to the environment posed by the dumping site of the capital town of Aklan can worsen further and will endanger the health and lives of people living nearby, to include schools’ population of various learning institutions operating near its vicinity.

This surfaced in a committee hearing conducted by the Committee on Environmental Protection of the 16th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan on September 8, 2014.

Not only are residents of the two barangays are affected of the persistent emission of foul odor from the dumping site but also commercial and institutional establishment operators and students near the area.

Meanwhile, DENR Aklan emphasized that for the foul odor to be temporarily and immediately remedied, spraying of chemicals on the dumpsite must be done at once, but safe closure procedure must be started right away.