Hawk Bills in Boracay

Ninety seven newly hatched Pawikan (Hawk Bill Turtles) were discovered on the sand of a kitchen at a restaurant at Tambisaan, Brgy. Manoc-Manoc, Boracay on Monday morning.

According to information from Felix Balquin, Marine Biologist of the Local Government of Malay and Bantay Dagat, the Hawk Bills were discovered at a restaurant managed by Emelda Sevilla at Tambisaan. The Hawk bills were formally turned over to the Bantay Dagat for proper caring at noontime Monday.

It was learned that during sunset Monday, the Ninety seven Hawk Bills were to be released to the sea of Boracay.

Meanwhile, Balquin asked the public, that whenever they see turtle eggs or small Hawk Bills along the coast, to leave them alone and inform their Office immediately.

In the month of March, almost a hundred Hawk Bills were also saved along the coast of the town of Malay. The Hawk Bills were also later released to the sea along the coast by Bantay Dagat.

Community Clean-up and Close Coordination: Solution to Dengue

It is still the community which plays the main role in the prevention of Dengue - a deadly disease - especially this coming rainy season.

According to the Municipal Health Officer of Malay, Dr. Adrian Salaver, it’s not just a single household that is supposed to be cleaned, because the mosquito (Aedes Aegypti) which is the vector of this disease transfers in one area to another.

He added that the whole community's cooperation is still very important to prevent it from spreading.

Salaver also asks for the people to report to, or inform the Municipal Health office about any area that could be a potential breeding place for this insects in order for them to apply chemicals for its control.

This is why its best, he said, for the public to have a close coordination with the MHO, because this disease needs the entire year for the community to be prepared for, in the form of clean-ups.

This interview with Salaver followed after a case of dengue was recorded in the past weeks in the island as well as in other parts of Aklan.

Meanwhile, the month of June is said to be the time where dengue is very rampant.

Despite China-Philippines Standoff International Flights From Shanghai to KIA Continue

Despite the ongoing tension between China and the Philippines regarding Scarborough Shoal, international flights from Shanghai,China to Kalibo International Airpot (KIA) remain normal.

This was clarified by the KIA Administrator Percy Malonesio in an interview conducted Friday morning.

While there were allegedly some airports which received notification that flights from Shanghai China were cancelled, according to Malonesio he had not received communication of cancellation of flights from China. Pointing out that as an administrator, if there were changes of date or time of arrivals especially on international flights, he would be informed.

Malonesia further said that KIA had no documents so far which showed that flights were affected specially for tourists going to Boracay.

Even direct flights from Taipei, Taiwan according to Malonesia were not cancelled.

Direct flights from Taiwan and China were almost daily, Malonesia added, and at the meantime arrivals would continue until an advisory was given by the corresponding airline company.

Boracay Bookings of Chinese Nationals, Cancelled

Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) President Dionesio 'Jony' Salme confirmed that there are resorts in the island whose bookings with Chinese tourists had been cancelled.

In fact, some guests in their own resort had already withdrawn last week with the reason concerning the security of the tourists as the tension between Philippines and China over Panatag or Scarborough Shoal continues.

Aside from this, according to the information gathered from Boracay Regency, one of the biggest resort in the island, on Thursday some of the Chinese nationals also cancelled their online bookings that was supposedly scheduled on the up-coming days.

As noted from Ms. Athena Dorin of Boracay Regency, according to the Travel Agencies that they've confer with, these Chinese would also want to push through with their travel to the island, however the Chinese Government refused to allow them resulting to the cancelations of bookings.

But in spite of this it has been learned that not all who had booked backed out.

Meanwhile, based on their observation with the Chinese guests on the island, it appears that there is nothing to be worried about, as a matter of fact their stay in Boracay was described as 'normal'.

Moreover, currently there are no reports being noted that there are guests who packed up because of fear or concern over the projected rally against China's government.

Questions on the Issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificate Unanswered

The issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) was questioned at the Town Council Session Tuesday.

After confirming that an ECC has been issued to a Water Company in Boracay for excavations for the placement of water pipes, Town Council Members Essel Flores and Rowen Agguire questioned the new Community Environmental and Natural Resources (CENRO) Boracay Officer Mersa Samillano.

Samillano was asked by Flores why the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued an ECC when no endorsement had been given by the Town Council. Flores pointed out that the Local Government should know in the first place whether the proposed site for the installation of structures or project is a critical area.

On the other hand, Aguirre asked why there were instances that the DENR was quick to issue an ECC without coordination with the local government. He cited the situation of the controversial reclamation at Caticlan which has remained controversial because of the same reason.

No response was elicited from Samillano