E-Trikes to Fully Replace Traditional Tricycles on the Streets of Boracay by 2015

The allowance set for the traditional tricycles in Boracay will be almost three (3) years before they will be changed to the new and electric powered E-Trikes.

This was the agreement reached by the Department of Energy (DOE) Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Town Council of Malay Thursday morning in the E-Trike public consultation to change the means of public transportation in Boracay. The E-Trike is foreseen as a solution to noise and air pollution in the island.

It is the target of the Local Government of Malay that by year 2015 only E-Trikes will ply the streets. The current five hundred (500) units of traditional tricycles which have a franchise and registered to Boracay Land Transportation Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BLTMPC) are planned to be replaced by the E-Trikes.

During the presentation Thursday morning, the Officer in Charge, Assistant Director Jesus Anunciacion of the DOE said that the government has a program which is being implemented by the Department. In the program, five hundred (500) units of E-Trikes are allocated for Boracay for public transportation and these units are not to be sold to private individuals.

Each of these E-Trikes costs two hundred thousand pesos (P200, 000) to be paid within five (5) years by the existing operators with franchise and who are registered with the BLTMPC.

Firing Range in Boracay, A Profitable Business – PD Defensor

Police Senor Superintendent Cornello Defensor, Provincial Director of Aklan Provincial Office refused to interfere about the issue on the construction of an indoor firing range in Boracay because he has no authority on this matter.

According to him he is not in the position to put a stop to this plan, for the reason that it is the Higher Headquarters that will grant this proposed firing range’s operation a permit.

But on his personal opinion, having a firing range on the island is a profitable business especially if this is for the tourists, as there are places or countries where firearms are really prohibited.

He however said that this depends on the headquarters’ approval.

This will affect the campaign of Boracay Police of a gun free island, as they cannot prohibit anyone from carrying a gun especially if this has a permit and is licensed.

This past week the Town Council had approved the endorsement of the construction of the said firing range in Barangay Yapak.

Public Consultation on Proposed E-Trikes by the DOE & ADB Held

The first part of the public consultation on the proposed E-Trikes this morning was heated but fruitful.

The public consultation was filled with questions from the Town Council Members of Malay who attended as well as from individuals from the private sector.

The raised questions ranged from the E-Trikes’ operation to its capability. Most of the questions were based on experience on the existing and currently operating ten (10) units of E-Trikes supplied by Gerweiss Motors.

However, the Department of Energy clarified that the existing ten E-Trike units is not its project. Further through the consultation, the DOE, which is assisting the proposed E-Trikes, together with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), its partner in the project, promised that the E-Trikes to be brought to the Island of Boracay will have quality especially on battery matters.

The public consultation was held to aid the Town Council of Malay in its decision making to adopt the E-Trike. This is to slowly replace the traditional tricycle in the island.

Aside from the DOE and ADB, representatives from the Department of Finance, Land Transportation Office, Land Bank of the Philippines and the Local Officials of Malay were sent.

Boracay targets to be gun free, but this could be difficult - PNP Provincial Director

The Aklan Police targets to make Boracay a gun free area as this is a tourist destination, this however is not easy to achieve.

According to Police Senior Superintendent Cornello Defensor, Provincial Director of Aklan

Police Provincial Office, not until the law relating to gun carrying will be refilled to exempt Boracay they cannot prohibit anyone who enters Boracay possessing the said weapon, especially if it is licensed and owned by a security agency.

He added that because the issuance of permit to carry continues, they can’t stop those who bring a firearm whilst entering Boracay.

Nonetheless the Provincial Director said that they are doing everything to make this tourism area a gun free zone.

This explanation by Defensor was stated during an interview yesterday morning followed after subsequent accounted cases on the island like the indiscriminate firing last week, complaints about a stray bullet, and the harassment of a certain security guard against his colleague using a gun.

"Filipinnovation on Coral Restoration Program" for Boracay: the DOST

Coral restoration is the current aim of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Boracay.

The DOST’s project is called “Filipinnovation on Coral Restoration Program.” With the program it is bringing, the DOST is expected to spend a year in the island.

Apparently, the aim of the program is to give solution to the problem of coral destruction. The hope is that with the help of attractions from underwater activities, tourism in the island would be made stronger for the livelihood of the people.

It was learned that the national government gave the fund to the DOST to conduct the program in Boracay as one of its Pilot Technology Demonstrations or Models for the promotion of Science-based coral reef management.

Senator Loren Legarda, Aklan Congressman Florencio Joeben Miraflores, Governor Carlito Marquez and other members of the Philippine Congress and Senate support the program.

In Boracay, its local partners are Sangkalikasan Cooperative and Boracay Association of Scuba-diving Schools (BASS) from the private sector.

Apparently, the benefits the program will bring to Boracay, if successful, are employment and profit for the people of Boracay.

The DOST’s program, headed by Cesario Pagdilao, was presented at the Town Council session yesterday.