Food poisoning downs 9 local tourists in Boracay

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay, Aklan- The Malay Health Office (MHO) is currently investigating the case of nine local tourists who experienced food poisoning after reportedly eating seafood during their vacation in this resort island.

The victims all came from Nueva Viscaya were identified as Fe Macarubo, 56; Clark Macarubo, 35; Vivian Macarubo, 33; Eric Macarubo, 33; Cariss Denumtad, 32; Arnie Denumtad, 35; Charm Macarubo, Catherine Macarubo, 14; and, Clever Macarubo, 8. They were all confined at the Boracay District Hospital.

Dr. Ariel Valencia, regional director of the Department of Health (DOH), said that they have assigned a personnel in this resort island to monitor the ongoing investigation being conducted by the provincial health office.

"Whatever the result of the investigation will be, it is up for the MHO to undertake the necessary action," Valencia said, adding that the DOH is not undertaking any specific action pending the result of the investigation.

Report said this is the first time that a food poisoning happened in this resort island. The victims reported of experiencing stomach disorder Wednesday morning. 

Boracay resorts start adopting strategies to address climate change

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay –- Several resort owners here have started adopting strategies to address climate change issues and concerns.

Local climate change experts have agreed that this resort island which is considered as a premier tourist destination, is one of the areas that can he hit by the worsening problem on global warming.

Among the prevalent incidents in this resort island that can be attributed to climate change are the rise in sea level, flooding, beach erosion and occasional incidence of twister.

Businessman Chris Arenas of the Jimster Resto Bar said that he already started to voluntarily demolish his beach house in Diniwid, Boracay because it encroaches the island's beach setback of 30 meters.

"The threat of global warming and the sea level rise are factors in my decision to demolish the structure in a no build zone area," said Arenas.

Elena Brugger, environmental consultant of the local government of Malay, said that he had already started placing her firm in a higher level anticipating issues on sea level rise in the future.

"Like others, I am already aware that the climate change is real that we have to face the issue," said Brugger of Mayumi Beach Resort.

Aside from the two firms, more firms are expecting to follow in mitigating and adopting strategies on climate change in this resort island.

But despite climate change threat, more tourists are still coming to this resort island to enjoy the white sand considered as one of the top 10 best beaches in the world.

Swindler nabbed for posing as BIR rep

BORACAY — Authorities recently arrested a swindler for posing as a representative of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Jenny Mobo, 33, of Kalibo, Aklan, was earlier convicted for swindling and estafa and was detained in the Aklan Rehabilitation Center (ARC).

Police said he was released at an earlier time for being helpful in the affairs of the ARC when he was serving his sentence.

But he struck again, this time by claiming as someone sent by the BIR Regional Office to make reservations at Jony’s Beach Resort.

The police carried out the arrest after the resort staff identified Mobo through a video recorded through a closed-circuit television camera.

PO1 Ryan Panadero of the Boracay police said Mobo ordered food and drinks and had a room reserved for himself.

Mobo said the BIR will pay his bills when the team arrives the next day, said Panadero.

Because he “spoke with kind words,” Mobo was accommodated by the resort staff, reported the policemen from Kalibo and Boracay.

While in the resort, Mobo also lured a manicurist to let him borrow P500, police said.

The next day, Mobo asked a resort personnel to drive him to the port to welcome the BIR team.

However, along the way, he asked the driver to drop him at a bank. He ran away with the driver’s mobile phone, said the police.

According to the BIR, they are bent on filing charges against Mobo for misrepresenting the bureau, said Panadero./

Boracay parish priest admits receiving P1M, but...

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay - Fr. Maglore Placer, Boracay parish priest, has admitted receiving P1 million recently but denied the money came from supporters of the proposed casino operation in this resort island.

Placer said that the money was donated by the Korean Catholic Mission for the continuous improvement of the Balabag Parish Church here.

"I want the public to know that I am still against the proposed casino operation in this resort island whatever happens," said Placer.

Placer leads the Catholic Church against the casino operation in this resort island.
Proponents of the casino are currently awaiting for the decision of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

A Korean firm is reportedly interested to establish a junket casino here.

DOH to help upgrade Boracay hospital

BORACAY — The Department of Health (DOH) will assist in developing the Don Ciriaco Señeres Tirol Memorial Hospital, also known as the Boracay District Hospital, into a medical tourism facility.

Once the plan on the hospital is materialized, the tourism industry in this resort island will spur more revenues for the province, according to DOH-6 Director, Dr. Ariel Valencia.

He said the Health department is only waiting for the provincial government of Aklan to initiate the move.

“We will be supporting them (provincial government) in their endeavors,” said Dr. Valencia.

The DOH has identified Boracay, the premier tourist destination in the country, as one of the probable sites where a medical tourism facility can be established.
The upgraded Boracay District Hospital is also expected to provide more livelihood opportunities./

Ramos kin against renaming Godofredo P. Ramos Airport

The family of the late former Aklan congressman Godofredo Ramos is not amenable to renaming the Caticlan Airport, officially the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, as “Boracay Airport.”

During the airport’s inauguration on Saturday, the San Miguel Corp. (SMC) announced that Caticlan Airport may be renamed as Boracay Airport.

However, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will still have to approve the airport’s new name, according to SMC.

SMC’s affiliate, TransAire Development Holdings Corp., the airport’s developer, will reportedly use the “new name” as its marketing strategy.

But Anita Victoria Ramos-Antonino, head of the provincial tourism council and daughter of the late Ramos, expressed opposition on the move.

She said their family will negotiate with the SMC and TransAire to retain the “legal name” of the airport.

The Godofredo P. Ramos Airport became the official name of the Caticlan Airport by virtue of an approved House bill filed by Cong. Florencio Miraflores.

“Our family will insist (on retaining the official name of the airport). If they also insist (on renaming it), perhaps we will study if our protest can be elevated to the courts,” Ms. Ramos said.

On November 8 this year, Aklan will celebrate the centennial birth anniversary of Mr. Ramos.

Mr. Ramos authored the House bill that sought the separation of Aklan from Capiz province, which was later signed by then President Ramon Magsaysay as Republic Act No. 1414.

The move earned Mr. Ramos the recognition as the “Father of Aklan.”

Tourism infrastructures seen to lure more Chinese tourists to Boracay Island

BORACAY ISLAND– Various infrastructure supports coming in Malay town are expected to boost the arrival of Chinese tourists in the resort island of Boracay.

Canyon De Boracay, a resort owned by a Chinese businessman located at Station 2 is up for inauguration on Friday.

On Saturday, President Benigno S. Aquino III is also expected to inaugurate the new terminal airport at the Caticlan Airport.

Caticlan located in Malay serves as a jump off point in going to Boracay Island which can be reached through a 15-minute pumpboat ride from the Caticlan Jetty Port.

Engr. Percy Malonesio, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in nearby Kalibo International Airport (KIA), said other Chinese airline companies have also expressed interest to service the KIA.

The local tourism office said that for this year, Chinese tourists come in second to Korean tourists visiting Boracay Island.

From January until May of this year, 20,596 Chinese and 42,923 Korean tourists visited the island. 

‘Persons with AIDS in Aklan stay in Boracay’

BORACAY — Most of the about 20 persons with Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) in Aklan are staying in this resort island, a health official said.

Actually, these persons are currently undergoing regular medical treatment either in the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo, Aklan or in Iloilo City, said Department of Health 6 (DOH-6) Director, Dr. Ariel Valencia.

However, according to Dr. Valencia, “They (patients) did not get the disease in Boracay but somewhere else, since most of them formerly worked as overseas Filipino workers.”

“They decided to enjoy their fruitful years in this resort island and it is their right to do so,” he added.

Still, the DOH is continuously warning both the residents and the tourists in Boracay on the danger of acquiring AIDS.

Despite being promoted as a wholesome tourist destination, this resort island is considered a haven of people seeking sex and romance.

According to reports, one of the many bars here has “sex workers” catering to foreign clients.

Pacman graces Mayor Yap's birthday

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay- Sarangani Rep. Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao made a surprise appearance on the birthday celebration of Malay Mayor John Yap here on Tuesday night.

Insiders present at the gathering said that Pacquiao's presence was a sign of support to Yap who recently signed a closure order against the owners of the West Cove Resort.

The West Cove resort is owned by Pacquiao's flag bearer businessman Crisostomo Aquino.

Pacquiao, along with his family, often stays in West Cove during vacation prior to the closure of the resort.

With the West Cove's closure, Pacquiao opted to stay at the Summer Place Resort which is owned by the Yap family but managed by another private firm. 

Color coding set for windsurfers/kiters in Boracay

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan - The Boracay Windsurfers Association (BWA) has implemented a color coding scheme for their activities in this resort island for safety reasons.

Members of the windsurfing association are operating schools mostly catering to international tourists. For several years many of their clients have met accidents mainly due to erratic weather conditions.

Nenette Aguirre-Graf of the BWA said that there was no reported major incident since they have implemented the color coding scheme which is being backed by a local ordinance.

"Under the said scheme, each school will choose their own color as their identifying mark. The colors for a ribbon will then be tied into their respective kites or wind surfers. Each school is also mandated to ensure their clients wear safety helmets and vests especially during body dragging to boarding," Graf said.

Both tourists and clients will be asked to follow color coded flags while on kite or windsurfing activities. The flags can be seen planted 10 meters away from the front beach.

Red flag signifies caution as there is an ongoing kite lessons, orange flag shows wind is over 20 knots and big red flag signifies wind is over 25 knots.

Designated areas for teaching were flagged from the TBBR, D’Mall, Boracay Terraces and Elizalde Property.

Malay clears Pacquiao in West Cover controversy

BORACAY — The local government of Malay, Aklan has cleared Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao of any involvement in its decision to close the West Cove Hotel and Resort recently.

Pacquiao, a constant visitor of the resort together with his wife Jinky, was rumored as one of the owners of the establishment.

But the hotel-resort’s registered owner is businessman Crisostomo Aquino, a business partner of Pacquiao and also an official flag bearer in most of the pound-for-pound king’s fights.

“Pacquiao has been a witness to several reminders we gave to Aquino. We have been reminding the businessman to stop further expanding his resort but he refused to listen. Pacquiao has nothing to do with this issue,” said Malay Mayor John Yap.

Yap said his order to close the hotel-resort will serve as a warning to other resorts that refused to follow the environmental policy of the local government.

The Boracay Foundation Inc. and the Aklan Provincial Tourism Council are supporting the mayor’s move. 

Malay LGU asks DPWH to fast-track Boracay circumferential road project

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay-- The Malay town council which has jurisdiction over this resort island has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to fast track its long delayed P80-million circumferential road project here.

Malay councilor Jonathan Cabrera said that the delay in the completion of the circumferential road hampers initiatives for the improvement of this resort island.

Among these are the deliberations on the proposed traffic code and terminal parking ordinance to ease traffic situation.

The DPWH is still waiting for the release of the fund from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the project to be completed.

"Part of our deliberation is to ask the DPWH why the Boracay Circumferential Road has been suspended," said Cabrera.

For several years this resort island has been besieged with traffic woes due to the increasing numbers of both tourists and local residents. 

Resort in Boracay asks court to lift closure order

">BORACAY ISLAND, Malay- The West Cove management will ask the proper court to lift the closure order recently issued by the local government of Malay.

Ben Hur Mobo III, manager of West Cover said that they have already submitted their complete requirements at the local government unit (LGU) but they did not receive any reply from the latter.

He added that they have the support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as they continue to develop their resort.

The LGU-Malay ordered the closure of the resort owned by businessman Crisostomo Aquino for allegedly lacking business and occupancy permits. Aquino is the business partner of Filipino boxing champ, Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

"While we are then waiting for the supposed reply of the LGU, the DENR has instructed us to comply with all the necessary requirements as part of the Forest Land Use for Tourism Purposes (Flag-T)," Mobo said.

He added that they have complied with the requirements to include Boracay Assessment Underwater Report, Geo Hazard Assessment Report and Environmental Performance Report and Management Program.

“The West Cove Resort in the process has become an ecological and environmentally safe resort because of DENR,” he said.

The said studies were initiated by different respected experts and scientists coming from the Mines and Geo-Science Bureau of the DENR and the University of the Philippines-Marine Scientists.

"Our lawyers do not recognize the closure order of the LGU. We are instead demanding from them that if they want to close our resort they should do it through a court order. We are legally prepared," said Mobo who admitted he was surprised with the LGU action. 

Yap: I warned the owner

BORACAY — Malay Mayor John Yap said he earlier warned the owner of the hotel-resort that he ordered closed on Friday afternoon.

“I asked Aquino to stop developing his property. Yet he continued,” said Yap, so he decided to order the “closure, removal and demolition of illegal structures and building of West Cove Hotel and Resort.”

Yap was referring to the business establishment’s owner, Crisostomo Aquino.

He said he has been talking to Aquino since last year.

Aquino was known to be a business partner of boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao.

Yap ordered the hotel-resort closed for having no business permit and occupancy permit from the local government unit (LGU).

‘NO WAY’

The hotel-resort’s general manager, Ben Hur Mobo III, received the closure order served


CLOSED.

Men are putting up a signage indicating that the West Cove Hotel and Resort in Malay, Aklan was ordered closed.
on Friday afternoon.

The business establishment was then allowed to receive guests only until Friday evening.

But according to Mobo, they did not fail to secure a permit from the LGU.

In fact, he said they have passed all the necessary requirements to the Municipal Hall.

It was the LGU who failed to process the permit due to what they called zoning violations, Mobo said.

“Our lawyers do not recognize the (LGU’s) order. We demand closure order from the court. We will uplift the closure order in a legal way,” Mobo stressed.

About 40 police personnel and a team from the LGU served Municipal Executive Order No. 10 Series of 2011.

According to Yap, the hotel-resort violated Presidential Decree 1096 or the National Building Code.

In his order dated June 7, 2011, Yap said: “In view of your unjustified refusal to comply with the aforecited law or ordinance, this office hereby orders the permanent closure or your establishment without prejudice to the demolition or removal of said illegal erected building or structure at your expense.”

“Mindful that the Island of Boracay is a premier tourist destination, this office has the obligation to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare, consistent with the principles of sound environmental management and control,” the mayor added.

Aklan gov insists Boracay reclamation project safe

BORACAY ISLAND- The Aklan provincial government is keen on pushing its reclamation project although it currently abides by the Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) issued by the Supreme Court (SC) recently.

Aklan governor Carlito Marquez is in Manila now along with his economic team to prepare for the legal battle against the Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) that is strongly opposing the project.

"We are confident that we could be able to push the project. As long as we are concerned, the reclamation project is safe because of the study undertaken by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA)," Marquez said.

The Aklan provincial government undertook the project through a bond flotation to expand tourism lure in this resort island considered as one of the world’s best beach tourism destinations.

The Aklan provincial government is confident that the SC will consider its plea as they have met all the necessary requirements needed for the project.

The SC, in its TEPO, has given the Aklan provincial government 10 days to file its comment.
The Aklan provincial government targets one million tourists for Boracay Island next year hoping to complete the project in time. 

Malay town pushes for Boracay preservation

BORACAY — The municipal government of Malay, which has jurisdiction over this resort island, recently released a poster presenting the ways on how to help preserve Boracay.

This poster intends to complement the local legislations passed by the Town Council for the preservation and conservation of this world-renowned resort island.

According to Malay Mayor John Yap, among these legislations were:

* Municipal Ordinance No. 100, series of 1996 (anti-smoking)

* Municipal Ordinance No. 272, series of 2009 (no smoking by the beach)

* Municipal Ordinance No. 2001-141 (anti-extraction of sand and pebbles)

* Municipal Ordinance No. 98-116 (no urinating and defecating on the beach)

* Municipal Ordinance Nos. 182-2003 and 92-1996 (no pets are allowed by the beachfront), and

* Municipal Ordinance No. 132-2000 (no eating and drinking of liquor by the beach)

Erring residents and tourists who will violate the said ordinances “will be penalized, depending on the gravity of the violation,” said Yap.

Nevertheless, “our local enforcers will strictly impose the penalties and there will be no exemptions,” the mayor added.

APFTI eyes more trade centers in PH

BORACAY — The Advocate for Philippine Fair Trade Inc. (APFTI) is bullish on increasing trade centers in the country.

Trade centers indicate that Philippine-made products are being appreciated by consumers worldwide.

APFTI President and Chief Executive Officer Vicente Roaring said they are eyeing this resort island as one of the possible venues for the opening of another fair trade shop here.

Fair trade centers are known all over the world to sell locally made products like souvenir items, indigenous foods and handicrafts.

APFTI has already opened five fair trade shops in Cebu City, Cagayan De Oro City, Naga City, Tagbilaran City and General Santos City.

Roaring said the sixth shop will open in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon province.

Like other countries, especially in Europe, fair trade shops are considered a way of life that follows certain principles such as for social justice and equity, environment, transparency, empowerment, capacity building and fair and living wages.

Malay SB to revisit claims of Aetas as original inhabitants of Boracay

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay Aklan– The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay will take a second look at the claim of Aetas residing in this island that they are the original inhabitants of Boracay.

This is in light of the Aetas continued struggle to acquire lands in Boracay.

It could be noted that the Aetas in this island were awarded Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) by the National Commission on Indigenous Persons (NCIP) as provided for under the Indigenous Peoples Republic Act (IPRA).

However, they claimed that they are still disallowed to enter the property given them. The area is allegedly being claimed by a businessman.

The plan to revisit the claim developed after some original non-Aeta inhabitants said that there are only two Aetas living in the island since the 1950s. The two Aetas worked as caretakers of land of some of Boracay residents.

The council will summon experts cited by the NCIP as witnesses that indeed Aetas are the original inhabitants of this resort island.

At least 46 Aeta families reside in this resort island and are being taken cared of by a congregation of nuns under the Daughters of Charity.

Boracay village kicks off ID system among residents

BORACAY ISLAND– Barangay Manoc-Manoc in this resort island started its own identification (ID) system as one of the community efforts to ensure safety in Boracay.

Manoc Manoc Barangay chairman Abriam Sualog said they must compliment the needed safety standards not only for its residents but also for tourists staying in this resort island.

The Barangay Manoc-Manoc is the largest barangay of Malay town with over 2,000 residents.

"Europe and other countries have already their own ID system. We encouraged residents and foreigners residing here to voluntary register at the barangay council to avail of our Barangay ID system. I assure my constituents that they will be benefited with this system," said Sualog.

The village has a computerized automated system as data base. Part of the process to avail of the ID is to secure a barangay clearance first.

"We only charged P150 those interested to avail of the ID. We are only complying with necessary legal requirements before we could compel residents to avail of it," said Sualog.

The ID is made available not more than 30 minutes after the application is filed. The document contains basic personal information with photograph of the bearer.

The barangay chief said that bearers of ID will be prioritized in the provision of services since they are already identified as bonafide resident of the place.

A resident who stayed in the barangay for a minimum of six months can qet an ID. 

Ban on sale of ‘endangered’ shells sought

BORACAY — The Malay council plans to pass a local ordinance prohibiting the sale of endangered sea shells in this resort island.

This came in heels of reports that authorities from the Kalibo International Airport and the Caticlan Airport were confiscating items made of shells, which were believed to be endangered, being brought by tourists.

Tourists claimed they did not know that the items were endangered since they were being sold by local vendors along the beach.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which identified the endangered shell species, also expressed support to the planned legislation.

The town council also plans to request BFAR to inspect the establishments reported to have been selling such endangered shells.

Meanwhile, the BFAR expressed concern over the endangered species being brought outside of Boracay.

The agency said the items were often transported unnoticed through the Strong Republic Nautical Highway.

It also reported that this resort island is experiencing reef destruction due to overfishing./

Promote Aklan products in Boracay, bizmen urged

BORACAY — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is encouraging owners of business establishments, especially resorts, in this resort island to sell and promote Aklan products.

Among the Aklanon products that could be made available in resorts here are slippers, food, handicrafts and locally made souvenir items.

According to DTI Provincial Director Diosdado Cadena, the Hugod Aklanon Association is considering a possible partnership with Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI).

Hugod Aklanon is a group of entrepreneurs while BFI is one of the major business groups here.

“We in the DTI allow the exploration between the Hugod and BFI to flourish. We would like to see this partnership by encouraging the business sector to directly order from Aklan producers instead of ordering supplies from other provinces,” said Cadena.
“Hugod and BFI will be the ones to discuss whatever products they will deliver (to Boracay). We (DTI) are just facilitating their possible partnership,” he added.

Hugod and BFI will conduct a week-long fair of Aklan products on May 28 at the front beach of One MGM Resort.

“We expect this partnership to boost the sales of local entrepreneurs in the province,” Cadena said./

Walk for a cause for children with cancer to culminate in Boracay Island

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan– Artist activist Tomas Leonor is now in Aklan to prepare for the culmination of his 56-day walk that was aimed at raising funds for the benefit of children with cancer.

The walk expedition, dubbed as "Step Juan", started in Allen, Samar and since then Leonor has already traveled some 1, 178 kilometers passing 33 major cities and 150 towns stopping only to take food and have a little rest.

His walk for a cause is devoted for children with cancer under the "Tawid Pangkalusugan Program" of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.

"We are not just gathering to start a media gimmick or to create a passive awareness for cancer. We are all volunteers who assemble towards a common working goal of curing children inflicted with cancer. The children we hope to assist are all from the Cancer Warriors Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers treatment, assistance and care to children with cancer," he said.

Leonor arrived in Aklan over the weekend where he made a courtesy call at the office of Governor Carlito Marquez, former Congressman Allen Quimpo and other government officials as he encouraged them to join his cause.

His walk will culminate evening of May 28 in Boracay Island after a series of activities in this resort island in the morning. 

‘No terror threat in Boracay’

BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO

BORACAY – Domestic and international tourists here are safe, stressed Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol Jr., Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director.

Even then, Querol deployed 50 more policemen to help the Boracay Special Tourist Police Office secure the tiny, dog-bone shaped, 10.32-square kilometer island.

There is no specific terror threat in the country following the death in Pakistan of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, but members of President Benigno Aquino III’s security cluster are under orders to monitor developments and ensure that necessary precautions are in place to stave off possible retaliatory attacks.

Boracay is the country’s most recognizable tourist destination, attracting foreign and local vacationers.

Statistics generated by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office 6 showed that visitor head count and tourist receipts in million pesos have been consistently increasing for the last 10 years since year 2001.

Querol said more policemen in Boracay would mean better security for the tourists.
The 50 policemen he deployed came from the Regional Mobile Group based in Negros Occidental. These cops were reassigned to Kalibo, Aklan in January for the Ati-Atihan Festival and had been staying in the town since.

Boracay Island police chief, Supt. Samuel Nacion has ordered his cops to render two shifting duties to ensure the island’s security day and night.

“We have enough men roaming around, plus security guards posted in various beach resorts,” said Nacion.

“So far, Boracay is peaceful. There are no big incidents except for some petty crimes,” he added.

President Aquino ordered the military and the police to be on full alert following the killing of bin Laden.

“The death of Osama bin Laden marks a signal defeat for the forces of extremism and terrorism,” Aquino said.

But Aquino said the death of bin Laden “should not lull us into complacency” even as he called for vigilance
.
“Together with my national security team, we continue to take all relevant precautions and steps to ensure the safety of our people. We, as a democratic and free people, remain committed to fighting terrorism and are in solidarity with the peoples of the United Nations,” Aquino added.

The development has prompted the US State Department to issue travel alerts for its nationals.

There are motley of Americans in Boracay but most of the foreigners are Europeans and Asians.

According to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), the vast clear blue sea, powdery white sand, and rays of yellow sunshine are the perfect combination that entice tourists to the world-renowned Boracay, notwithstanding the many other activities and services there such as snorkeling, island hopping, boat sailing, spa and massage resorts.

Defense Undersecretary and spokesman Eduardo Batac said terrorists were certainly planning retaliatory attacks but the Philippines might be far from their minds.

“We know the terrorists will always come up with retaliatory action but as to targeting the Philippines, I think we would be very far in the priority list,” Batac said in a press briefing.

“However, we again caution our people that we have to remain vigilant and alert. It’s the only way that we can combat terrorism,” he said.

This beach capital of the Philippines has never been failed by tourists for the last 10 years, NSCB stressed.

Statistics generated by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 showed that visitor head count and tourist receipts in million pesos have been consistently increasing in Boracay for the last 10 years since year 2001.

The highest increase in visitor arrivals was in 2004 with 26.3 percent (89,325) and in 2010 by 20.0 percent (130,107). Correspondingly, receipts increased by P1.6 billion in 2004 and P2.4 billion in 2010.

Statistics further showed that in terms of tourist population, Boracay is largely dominated by domestic tourists.

In absolute terms, of the total visitor arrivals (779,666) in Boracay in 2010, 60.81 percent were domestic, 35.72 percent were foreign, and 3.47 percent were overseas Filipinos (OFs).

On the average, 2,136 visitors everyday or 64,972 visitors monthly come to Boracay to soil their feet with powdery-white sand and/or plunge into crystal clear waters and/or roam around the entire island not only for the scene but also to get a feel of being there.

Nowadays, even OFs also include Boracay in their shopping list of places to visit when they come home to the Philippines either for leisure or shopping for investment.
OFs arrivals in Boracay in 2010 increased by 10.7 percent, from its 24,415 level in 2009 it soared to 27,038 in 2010.

Interestingly, in 2010, Boracay visitors were highly dominated by Koreans (40 percent), Taiwanese (22 percent) and Chinese (16 percent).

As in the past, for every 100 visitors, 41 percent were Korean nationals.

Other foreign nationals which made Boracay their choice of leisure in 2010 came from: USA (six percent); United Kingdom, Australia, and Hongkong (three percent each); and Japan, Germany and Canada (two percent each).

‘Pinoys are more tourism-conscious’

BORACAY — A brighter future awaits Philippine tourism as Filipinos have been increasingly becoming tourism-conscious, the Regional Tourism Council chief said.

More and more provinces in the Western Visayas are developing their tourist attractions, helping improve the country’s tourism, said Vicky Ramos-Antonino.
Tourism destinations in the provinces like this resort island were discovered only in the 1980s, according to Antonino.

“It is apparent that we still have a young tourism industry, but (it) continues to be vibrant,” she said.

Other tourism destinations discovered in the same decade include those in Palawan, Subic, Baguio City and Bohol.

Prior to these discoveries, tourism destinations were found mostly in Metro Manila like the Manila Zoo, Intramuros and the Manila Bay.

Meanwhile, the tourism council said Aklan targets to attract one million tourists next year.

Iloilo province, on the other hand, is also developing more tourism destinations to lure more tourists, it added.

DoJ: Charge Boracay 'swindlers'!

 Tess Lapuz-Lardizabal , Journal

DOLORA and Sumit Khanna helped geophysicist Jesse Liam Cannon dream big in Boracay. With sleek tongues, both suspects convinced the UK-North Ireland-Australian citizen that he could own a condo unit in the tropical paradise for P6 million. However, the fantasy home crumbled and vanished like a sand castle after the Khannas had already received P3.7 million from the victim.

“The money I invested in Boracay was saved over all years of working at sea and losing everything had a huge effect on my well-being.  Since this happened to me I have been battling with deep feelings of depression and anxiety, I can say that I have suffered in ways which is so powerful it can be compared to physical damage,” said Cannon.

It wasn’t long before Cannon learned that the Khannas had been trying to sell to him a non-existent property at an area in Boracay called The Cliff. The Fairways and Bluewater Resort has also stated that it did not issue an authority to sell the units of Sofia Condominium to Dolora and Sumit.

On Nov. 12, 2010, Cannon filed charges for violation of Section No. 5, in relation to Section No. 39, of Presidential Decree No. 957 against BLH officials Dolora “Dolly” C. Khanna, CEO; Sumit Khana, director of operations and marketing; Rochelle Fender, director of international sales; Darrel Girdner, general manager; Joseph Rose, director of finance; Rex Carlson, director of finance; and Julie Rose, marketing and business development consultant. 

The case was filed before the Department of Justice.

Last May 3, 2011, the Department of Justice- Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Kalibo, Aklan, ruled in favor of Cannon.

In a resolution by Ronaldo B. Ingente, second assistant provincial prosecutor, and approved by Provincial Prosecutor Ma. Maya Bien G. Mayor-Tolentino, the respondents were charged for violation of Presidential Decree No. 957 “since they sold properties which need prior license from the concerned government agency.”

The DOJ-Provincial Prosecutor’s Office-Aklan also ordered that an information for estafa and another information for violation of Section 39 of Presidential Decree o. 957 be filed against the Khanas.

“Maybe if I had been from a rich family it would not be so difficult, but all the money I invested was made from my own work,” said Cannon. “At the beginning, I felt confident enough to put all my trust in the Philippines, I noticed that good publicity was beginning to emerge about this paradise country, but what happened here has left me hugely shocked and disappointed.  I feel that there is only one positive way to save this situation. And that is, if we will be able to find justice together with the help of the good people at People’s Tonight. I would like to appeal to all of the good people out here in the Philippines to help us find justice for the people that get hurt by things like this.”

Cannon also expressed relief that he has sighted a glimmer of hope and justice with the DOJ resolution.

“My girlfriend, who comes from Manila, has been very supportive of me through this.  Because of what happened in Boracay, it will be many more years before I can buy a house for us to live in or give her a nice wedding that she would want.  She has stuck beside me through all of the ups and downs and I couldn’t ask for a better companion,” he added.

PBA: Boracay mayor urges residents to support PBA All Stars

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay- Malay Mayor John Yap has urged residents here to support the 2011 Hala Bora All Star Weekend of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The PBA All Star players already arrived in this resort island Wednesday after making a courtesy call at the office of Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez.

The All-Star Game pitting the North Stars and the South Stars is looking forward to the repeat of the performance in Puerto Princesa, Palawan last year with the former defeating the latter in a 133-132 decision.

"Many of the residents are patronizing PBA games in television sets. I hope they would patronize the game as they now see the games live in this resort island," Yap said.

Security personnel have been deployed by the local police station here to ensure peace and order during the entire duration of the event.

Aside from their games at the Boracay Convention Center here, players are expected to party with tourists during their stay in this resort island.

TF Boracay conducts inspection of beaches in the island

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan- The Task Force Boracay is set to conduct an ocular inspection in the beaches of this resort island on Thursday.

Some stakeholders in this resort island have reported that beach erosions caused by the growing number of commercial centers have become a prevalent problem for Boracay.

Officials of the task force said that the condition of the white sand beaches will be the main focus of its quarterly meeting scheduled on the same day.

The white sand beaches are the main attraction of this world renown island resort.

The task force is composed of representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Tourism, provincial and local government, among others. 

Filipino-Korean girl ‘raped’

BORACAY — A 21-year-old Filipino-Korean girl claimed to have been raped by a Filipino man in a hotel here.

Rape charges against the 26-year-old suspect were already filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

The suspect is currently detained in the Aklan Rehabilitation Center in Brgy. Nalook, Kalibo town.

According to a source privy to the case, the suspect was surprised when the self-proclaimed victim filed a rape complaint against the latter.

The source described the victim as “a socialite, pretty and liberated.”

The suspect who hails from Luzon befriended the girl, after which they went to parties and drank beer together, said the source.

The next day, the source said, the girl reported to the authorities that she has been raped.

Police said this is the second rape case reported in this resort island for this year.

The first one, reported two months ago, involved a 40-year-old masseuse of nearby Romblon province.

Boracay rakes in P14.3B in 10 years

By Francis Allan L. Angelo
TOURIST arrivals and tourism earnings in Boracay Island in Aklan have been on the uptrend in the past 10 years, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).

Citing statistics from the Department of Tourism (DOT-6), the NSCB said arrivals in Boracay went up from 264,807 (both foreign and domestic) to 779,666 last year.

Tourism receipts (revenues from spending of tourists) in the past 10 years are also on the upswing from P4.868 billion in 2001 to P14.332 billion.

The highest increase in visitor arrival was in 2004 at 26.3 percent (89,325 tourists) and in 2010 at 20 percent (130,107 tourists). Correspondingly, receipts increased by P1.6 billion in 2004 and P2.4 billion in 2010.

In terms of tourist population, Boracay is largely dominated by domestic tourists. In 2010, a total of 779,666 tourists arrived in Boracay, 60.81 percent were domestic tourists, 35.72 percent were foreigners while Overseas Filipino Workers comprised the remaining 3.47 percent.

On the average, 2,136 visitors everyday or 64,972 visitors monthly come to Boracay to soil their feet with the powdery-white sand and plunge into crystal clear waters or roam around the entire island.  

Even OFWs also include Boracay in their list of places to visit when they come home to the Philippines, either for leisure or shopping for investment. OFW arrivals in Boracay last year increased by 10.7 percent to 27,038 from 24,415 in 2009.

Also in 2010, Boracay visitors were dominated by Koreans (40%), Taiwanese (22%), and Chinese (16%).  

As in the past, for every 100 visitors, 41 percent are Korean nationals.  Other foreign nationals who made Boracay their place of leisure last year come from: USA (6%); United Kingdom, Australia, and Hongkong (3% each); and Japan, Germany, and Canada (2% each).     

High influx of visitors in Boracay was in summertime of 2010. The peak season commenced March with 75,705 visitor arrivals (9.7%); April with 101,349 visitor arrivals (13.0%); and May with 81,251 visitor arrivals (11.2%).  Estimated monthly receipts during these months was at P1.4 billion, P1.9 billion, and P1.6 billion, respectively. 

The NSCB also noticed that various tourist groups have their own preferred periods in visiting Boracay Island. In 2010, the influx of domestic visitors was high in the months of April at 78,400 (16.5%); May saw 64,390 visitor (3.5%); March with 51,341 visitors (10.8%); and June with 42,910 tourists (9.1%).  

For overseas Filipinos, however, December and January are the most meaningful months for them and their families to be in Boracay. OFW arrivals in the island totaled 3,569 (13.2%) in December and 3,469 (12.8%) in January which is “Ati-atihan” month in Aklan.  

Foreign visitors, on the other hand, enjoyed being in Boracay during the months of August, February and July.  Highest visitor arrivals at 28,841 (10.4%) was registered in August; 28,791 (10.3%) in February; and 24,862 (8.9%) in July.

30-MW wind power project to rise in Aklan

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan- A 30-megawatt wind power project is expected to rise in Aklan province.

Nearby Nabas town Mayor Romeo Dalisay said that two power producing firms are interested on the project. One of these is reportedly the Petrol Corporation.

"If materialized, this will be the first wind power project in the island of Panay," Dalisay said, adding that the Petrol power firm is nearly finishing its six month feasibility study on the project.

The wind power is expected to boost energy capability of this investment haven resort island.

Currently, Boracay Island gets its electricity from the renewable energy being provided by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and from a coal fired power plant in Iloilo City.

The San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is also exploring possibilities of investing in the said town.

Meantime, a P1 billion polo club is expected to be operational this year in adjacent Nabas town.

WV to have unified tourism zone

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan- The Regional Tourism Council is planning to establish a unified tourism zone in Western Visayas so that all of its provinces would benefit from the tourism allure of this resort island.

Vicky Ramos-Antonino, chair of the tourism council, said she is now visiting different provinces in the region to assess the tourism strength and weaknesses in the different areas.

"We are eyeing Aklan to be the center of tourism, Iloilo and Negros Occidental provinces will highlight cultural heritage, Antique and Guimaras provinces for eco-tourism and Capiz will cater for culinary experience as the seafood capital of the country," Antonino said.

The plan for a unified tourism zone is expected to boost the planned revival of the Panay Railway System and the open sky policy for both the Kalibo International Airport and the Iloilo Airport.

"We are doing this unified tourism zone so that provinces in the region will not be competing with each other but instead complement one another," she added.

Once the unified tourism zone is in place, the tourism council will then be drafting tour packages to encourage tourists to explore other tourism potentials in the region. 

BEACH EROSION

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay, Aklan - The environment coordinator of Malay Mayor John Yap warned stakeholders here of massive beach erosion if they continue not to take care of this resort island.

Elena Brugger said that beach erosion could be further felt with the onset of the climate change in this resort island.

"Climate change experts tell us that there will be a one meter sea level rise in the near future. This is equivalent to a one meter beach erosion in Boracay. In the white beach we could see many tables and chairs symbolizing business as usual for Boracay, it should have been planted by trees as defense for our coastal areas," she said.

Among the indicators of the worsening beach erosion in this resort island is the sprouting of pipelines of industries. The Diniwid area is also not accessible to tourists during high tide and rainy seasons due to flooding.

The Diniwid area suffers from beach erosion because some establishments in the area are not compliant with the environmental law.

Tourism industry to benefit from Bin Laden’s death

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay- A tourism executive believed that the tourism industry will be boosted now that Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin laden is dead.

Department of Tourism (DoT) regional director Edwin Trompeta said that people are now more keen on visiting tourists destinations because their fear of possible terrorism scare would decrease.

He however urged tourists to be vigilant still to ensure peaceful vacation.
"For Boracay, its stakeholders must put up necessary facilities to prepare for more influx of tourists," Trompeta said.

This early, the DoT noted a 15 percent increase of both foreign and local tourists coming to Boracay compared to that of last year's data.

"Boracay remains to be one of the best beaches in the world," Trompeta said.
Police officials on the other hand continue to be on their toes to secure tourists coming to this resort island this summer. 

PNP to act on noise complaints against disco bars in Boracay

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay Aklan- The new police chief of the Boracay Special Tourists Police Office (BSTPO) is bent on enforcing the town’s anti-noise ordinance in response to various complaints by resort owners and guests here.

It was earlier learned that several resort owners complained that several of their guests have to leave their rented rooms in the middle of the night due to uncontrollable noise coming from disco bars here.

"We are now preparing to file charges against erring disco bar operators," said BSTPO chief, Supt. Samuel Nacion.

The fine for violation of the anti-noise ordinance was set at only P2,500.

Stakeholders said that while the Malay ordinance only limits disco sounds to 40 decibels, the volume of some of the disco bars along Balabag area has reached 71 decibels.

The decibels indicate the ratio of a physical quantity (usually power or intensity) relative to a specified or implied reference level. Decibel is usually used as a measurement in science and engineering, mostly in acoustics and electronics.

'Bebeng' fails to dampen celebration of Buruanga, Aklan’s Panagat Festival

BORACAY — Amid the threat of typhoon Bebeng, hundreds of foreign and local tourists celebrated the first Panagat Festival in Buruanga, Aklan.
Competitions were held during the week-long festivity.

Among these were the boat paddling race and the fishing contest.

Most of the participants to these competitions were local fishermen and boat operators in Aklan.

The racing of fishermen from Buruanga town to nearby Boracay in a seven-kilometer route symbolize the extension of Aklan tourism brought about by the so-called Boracay magic, Vicky Ramos-Antonino of the Aklan Provincial Tourism Council said.

“One of our thrusts is to look for an alternative tourism destination to encourage tourists coming to Boracay to explore other areas as well. We are doing our best to accomplish this,” said Antonino.

Ariel Abriam, a businessman based in this resort island, said he partnered with the municipal government of Buruanga to organize the festival as he also promised to support the event every year.

“We believe in the town of Buruanga as an additional tourism attraction for Boracay tourists,” Abriam said.

He also expressed gratitude to the support of the Aklan Tourism Council, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police and the media for “making the event a success.”

Buruanga, a fifth-class municipality in Aklan, supplies fish to Boracay.
Many of the town’s residents are fishermen and boat operators. (photo by Dexter Ree, Aklan Kamera Organization)

PCG prepares for roadside Buruanga Festival

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is currently preparing for the security of the first roadside "Panagat" Festival in nearby Buruanga town.

Ariel Abriam, one of the organizers of the festival, said the presence of PCG during the festival is important since part of the activities is the Arie's Point Cup, a six kilometer rowing on May 7.

"There will be P45,000 cash prices, 25 cases of rums, 200 souvenir t-shirts, 20 cases of softdrinks, color television and other prices. The Sports Unlimited Channel of ABS-CBN will also cover this event," said Abriam.

Local boatmen and Buruanga residents are expected to benefit from the festival. According to Abriam, he assisted in the organization of the festival to extend tourism industry from Boracay to the said town.

Buruanga Mayor Quezon Labindao has also expressed support to the festival. 

Boracay boat operators not joining transport strike

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay -- The Caticlan-Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC) is not joining the protest rally set by different transport groups Monday and Tuesday.

Godofredo Sadiasa, CBTMPC president, said that they are not connected with any national transport strike, and that they are not too much affected by the rising oil prices as that their cooperative is getting oil supplies directly from the oil refinery and get cheaper prices of oil.

"We in the CBTMPC see the need to transport tourists everyday to ensure that they will not be stranded and that they would enjoy their vacation in this resort island. There is no stopping of our operation despite the transport strike," said Sadiasa.

The CBTMPC said that they have not increase the fare for the last four years and do not have plans to increase the current rate. All the members charge P25 daytime fare and P30 at night for each tourist coming to and from Boracay.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Aklan Integrated Transport Group Incorporated (FAITI) will be joining the transport holiday in support to their colleagues in the transport sector. But the group clarified they are not demanding any fare hike. 

Malay council eyes banning helmet diving operation in Boracay

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay Aklan- The Malay council is eyeing the possibility of halting the operation of helmet diving in this resort island after a Taiwanese tourist nearly died recently after experiencing a freak accident.

Helmet diving, also known as reef walking, is supposedly for professional scuba divers only but it is considered one of the tourist activities in this resort island.

Helmet diving experts said that some of the gadgets of the heavy helmet often provide communication risks between tourists and the operators.

Helmet diving is often described as walking underwater for 30 minutes. Tourists are usually attracted to this because they will have a chance to explore the underwater scenery of Boracay which involves watching corals and colorful varying fish species.

Tourists are usually being transported through a water taxi to a location appropriate for helmet diving.

The Malay council has received reports that there were numerous freak accidents on helmet diving in the past and are investigating them. This is part of the council's effort to stop the helmet diving operation if proven they are found causing risks among foreign and local tourists.

Helmet diving is also dangerous for people with heart problems, asthmatic attacks and pregnant mothers. 

PDEA pursues campaign vs illegal drugs in Boracay

BORACAY ISLAND-- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) continues its relentless campaign against illegal drugs here after receiving report on the proliferation of both illegal drug pushers and users in this resort island.

PDEA regional director Paul Ledesma said that they continue to focus in areas usually being flocked by tourists.

For the month of April alone, at least three drug suspects were arrested by the PDEA. All of them are residents of Manila and are working as tattoo artists.

Furthermore, he has already instructed his men to verify if there is an existing drug laboratory in nearby Nabas area town.

"We assure the media that we will be transparent with our illegal drug operation in Boracay," he said. 

Cancer survivors join Boracay dragon boat tilt

BORACAY – An American squad made up of breast cancer survivors hope to make a big splash when it competes for the first time in the 5th American Tourister International Dragonboat Festival firing off tomorrow here.

Known as the International Pink Sisters, the team is composed of 17 women paddlers from the US and four survivors from Manila.

They will be rowing together to the beat of the drum on a long canoe in a bid to snare the crown in the 13-squad women's division.

A record number of 44 teams will seeaction in the three-division event – women’s, men's and mixed – making this year's event the biggest in five years, according to Nenette Aguirre Graf of the organizing Boracay Island Paddlers Association.

The event features two main races: 300-meter and 500-meter.

Aside from the International Pink Sisters (USA), the other squads competing are Dragons of North America, Filipino Dragons (Singapore), Sydney Fire Dragons, The Royal X-Team (Hong Kong), The Philippine Army Dragon Boat Team, Onslaught Racing Dragons, Triton Dragon Boat Racing Team, Manila Wave Club, Boracay All Stars, Boracay Bombshells, Boracay Guardians and Guardians of Bumshells.

Touted as the biggest water sports event in the country, the event is presented by the Department of Tourism while the title-sponsor is American Tourister, an internationally-known American brand of suitcase./

26T tourists visit Boracay on Holy Week: report

BORACAY — More than 26,000 tourists visited this resort island during the Holy Week, figures from the Caticlan Jetty Port in Brgy. Caticlan, Malay, Aklan revealed.

The data were gathered only from Holy Monday until Good Friday, hence, the possibility of an unrecorded number of tourists, said Niven Maquirang, Caticlan Jetty Port administrator.

Tourists usually go through preregistration upon arriving at the jetty port.
However, those who were pre-booked in high-class hotels are unable to go through the process as they are being fetched by the hotel or resort service.

On April 18, Holy Monday, there were some 3,749 tourists that visited Boracay; April 19, 4,072; April 20, 6,204; April 21, 10,197; and April 22, 2,079.

The jetty port is yet to determine the tourist arrivals on April 23, Black Saturday, and April 24, Easter Sunday.

This year’s Holy Week tourist arrivals here are higher compared to those on the same period last year, which only reached 24,009, according to the Department of Tourism.

Meanwhile, Maquirang said the resort island was generally peaceful during the Holy Week.

“So far, the Task Force Boracay and other government enforcers did a very good job. The resort island peacefully celebrated the Holy Week,” he said.

The task force is composed of personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard, among others.

Earlier, the local government of Malay thanked the tourists for their cooperation while vacationing in this resort island.

The local government unit also reported that amid the influx of tourists, it has successfully implemented its anti-littering and anti-smoking ordinance here.

It deployed local police auxiliaries and volunteers to ensure that tourists were informed about the local laws in Boracay.

Boracay priest urges tourists to observe Lent

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan– Fr. Maglore Placer, the parish priest of Balabag, Boracay is urging bars and restaurants here to observe Lent even just during the Good Friday.

Placer said that Malay has an ordinance declaring Good Friday as no noise day. Starting 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. of the next day, bars and restaurants are restricted from creating noise.

"We are also inviting everyone to join us in our via crucis which highlights procession at the beach. This is to showcase our Catholic tradition to the tourists," Fr. Placer said.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) considered Holy Week as the time when many people come to Boracay to enjoy a vacation.
The local police have already stepped up their security campaign to ensure peace and order. 

Reef destruction, overfishing bug Boracay

RECTO VIDAL

BORACAY – Locals blame overfishing for the dwindling fish catch here. A rapid resource assessment and survey conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confirmed this.

In this island, reef fish communities are made up of low-value, small sub-adult fishes. But they become expensive market commodities when sold fresh, and so they are being rapaciously targeted by local fishers.

Boracay is famed for its powdery white sand, but fishes are important tourist attractions here, too, especially in scuba diving sites in Punta Bunga and Bunugan.

The main purpose of the BFAR survey was to establish a baseline data on the status of marine resources, more specifically the coral reefs and other marine life in the surrounding areas, and to identify possible fishery reserve sites.

It identified anchovies, cods, siganids, mullets, snappers and groupers as among the commercially exploited species here.

The main ways of catching fish in the waters off the island are spear or darts and hook and line, but many are also using very fine nets.

On the other hand, the destruction of corals in certain parts of the beach may be due to dynamite fishing many years ago, the indiscriminate docking of ships that brought construction supplies to the island during the construction boom, destructive fishing practices and overfishing.

Corals provide shelter and breeding places for other ecologically important species in the reef. Thus, water sports like scuba diving, snorkeling and even reef gleaning and fishing in shallow waters must be undertaken with caution to avoid further disturbances in the ecosystem.

Based on the survey, the general condition of the reefs surrounding the island is poor.

“There is a need to protect and manage the remaining resources such as corals, fishes and other marine organisms observed in surrounding waters of the island and the adjacent islands and islets in Caticlan,” stressed Sandra Victoria Arcamo, chief of BFAR’s Fisheries Resource Management Division.

BFAR aquaculturists recommended that the coastal waters surrounding the island be declared a fishery reserve, including the islands and islets in Caticlan.

Corals have been used as building materials – coral blocks are found in many old churches and houses in many towns in Panay Island. Locally known as igang, coral blocks have also become landscaping materials in parks and homes. They are even sold along the highways from Caticlan to Iloilo City.

These are also used as embankments in fishponds. Agricultural lime is extracted from coral deposits by fining, pack in sacks and sold to sugarcane farmers to modify soil pH (acidity or basicity).

While collection activities offer additional income to the residents, the people have already recognized somehow the ecological value of these resources in the survival of the island and the tourism industry.

Bleached corals are washed out to the beach by strong currents and action of waves especially during typhoons. They are often collected as souvenir items. A local ordinance is enforced by the local government of Malay and the three barangays in the island are prohibiting collection.

Posters prohibiting collection and sale of protected and endangered corals are posted in the Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources field offices and in some strategic places in the island.

The ceaseless beating of the waves brings about the pulverization of reefs, creating the fine white sands that Boracay is world-famous for.

Other resource management schemes (e.g. for coral reefs) which could improve the fisheries and the marine ecosystem in the area must also be considered.

Quarterly monitoring of coastal water quality should also be made part of the regular activities, being one of the critical components of the well-being of Boracay’s marine life. 

Boracay motor bancas extend operation

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan- Operation of motor bancas plying the Boracay-Caticlan route and vice-versa has been extended until 10 p.m. this Holy Week to accommodate the influx of tourists.

Niven Maquirang, Caticlan port administrator, however, said that they are still open to the possibility of further extending the operation, depending on the demand of tourists coming to and from Boracay.

During regular days, the operation of bancas is only until 8 p.m.

"The extension of the operation also depends on the weather condition. So far, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has forecasted a summer weather for Boracay this week," Maquirang said.

Maquirang also said that hotels in this resort island are already fully booked as tourists started coming in.

"Tourists who failed to have early hotel reservations may opt to stay in residential houses. There are many houses in Boracay that are open for staying overnight," he added.

The peak season is expected to end Monday next week.

No foreign drug groups in Boracay - PDEA

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan- There are no foreign drug groups operating in Boracay Island, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

PDEA Regional Director Paul Ledesma said that based on their monitoring, "shabu" and marijuana are the kinds of drugs that are being used in the island.

"Our recovery of shabu indicated that only Filipino drug users were in this resort island. Foreign tourists do not use shabu because they know it is only a fake industrial cleaner. What foreign tourists often use in their illegal drug trade is either cocaine or heroin. Our PDEA personnel are yet to recover heroin or cocaine in Boracay to determine if foreign drug groups have penetrated this resort island," Ledesma said.

The PDEA has deployed personnel in bars and disco pubs here to conduct intelligence gathering on the use of illegal drugs.

The PDEA is likewise monitoring the presence of Manila-based syndicates. Already, the PDEA has identified two local syndicates engaged in illegal drug activities.

Aside from the PDEA team, operatives from the Philippine Coast Guard, Civil Aviation and the Philippine National Police have been alerted over possible proliferation of illegal drugs in this resort island this Holy Week. 

Business sector divided over Caticlan reclamation

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan– Business groups here have clashing stands over the 2.6-hectare reclamation project in Barangay Caticlan, Malay Aklan.

Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) president Loubell Cann said that they have already asked President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to intervene and stop the project. The BFI is consistently opposing the reclamation project being undertaken by the Aklan provincial government.

The BFI opposition is supported by the local government of Malay through a resolution for such. The Malay local government is also planning to file an injunction against the reclamation project.

Meanwhile, Ariel Abriam, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Boracay said that the board will convene this week to come out with an official stand on the reclamation project.

Recently, Abriam personally expressed favor over the project as it has been granted approval by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).

Niven Maquirang of the Caticlan Jetty Port believed that the PCCI-Boracay will favor the reclamation project since the latter had commissioned the study undertaken by the University of the Philippines Marine Environmental Resource Protection.

"The BFI has earlier promised to undertake its own study. We are still waiting for it. It is good thing that the PCCI-Boracay has accomplished its own study on the reclamation project," said Maquirang.

The researchers of the study were being headed by Dr. Cesar Villanoy, Fernando Siringan, Olivia Cabrerra and Riovie Ramos.

According to the summary of their report, the sea flow across the Caticlan-Boracay channel is primarily tide-driven and Phase 1 of the reclamation project will not significantly affect the flow of the channel.

The direct impact will most likely be changed in erosion/deposition patterns along the Caticlan coast but unlikely to impact Boracay beaches; however, simulations show a lively significant impact for Phase 2 and 4.

The narrower channel in this area will most likely divert flow instead of flowing through channel and diverted flow may increase transport of suspended and dissolved matter of Boracay beaches.

Villanoy, however, denied earlier report endorsing the project, saying that he is merely reporting the outcome of the study.

Smart brings LTE mobile broadband to the Philippines

Vacationers at the beach paradise of Boracay, Aklan will get a taste of the world’s fastest mobile broadband technology starting this Holy Week, courtesy of cellular leader Smart Communications.

Called Long Term Evolution (LTE), this latest advance in mobile broadband technology can  deliver download and upload speeds of up to 50 mbps. In the near future, LTE will be able to provide speeds of up 100 mbps.
 
Recognized as the most advanced fourth-generation (4G) mobile broadband technology, LTE will enable individual users to download a movie in minutes rather than hours, download songs in seconds and easily watch high-definition video on Youtube with no buffering.
 
Smart has fired up its LTE network in the country and is rolling it out. To give mobile phone users a chance to experience the new service, Smart has set up a booth near Pats and Bombom (Station 2) in Boracay where interested people can use laptops equipped with LTE dongles. They can also use their WiFi-enabled mobile phones, tablets or laptops in the WiFi hotzone at the Smart booth which is powered by LTE.

To enjoy LTE, subscribers would need LTE-capable devices.  For the Boracay demo, SMART provides LTE plug-it devices.  In the near future, LTE-capable phones will also be available.
 
Comparison of HSPA+ vs LTE
LTE is the fastest mobile broadband technology in the world with the fastest speeds and minimal latency
         
HSPA+   
Theoretical Data Rates (DL): up to 42 Mbps
Latency: 50 microseconds
 
LTE
Theoretical Data Rates (DL): up to over 100 Mbps
Latency: 10 microseconds
 
For mobile broadband fans, this is definitely something to get excited about!

Boracay PNP bares security preparations for Holy Week

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan- The Boracay Special Tourists Police Office (BSTPO) here bared security preparations for the Holy Week even as it urged stakeholders to cooperate in order to ensure the peaceful commemoration of the Lenten season.

Supt. Rolando Vilar, chief of the BSTPO, said that proper coordination has already been made with the local government unit (LGU) here and other the stakeholders on how they could be able to help the police ensure peace and order.

One augmentation team, 54 BSTPO organic members, and 150 force multipliers will be deployed in Boracay next week.

"First, we are asking resorts and firms in Boracay to install a close circuit television (CCTV). Another is we asked firm managers to require their respective staff to wear their nameplates or identification cards for easily identification of our police personnel," Vilar said.
The proposal to install CCTV camera came after police received complaints of missing visitors' personal belongings after staying in several resorts. Police believed that the incidents were inside job and were perpetrated by resorts employees.

Vilar said that police officials will also be monitoring the beach 24 hours daily to ensure that no indecent activity will take place.

Aside from foreign and local tourists, celebrities are also expected to come in droves to this resort island for the Holy Week.

Meanwhile, the Caticlan Jetty Port said that it already deployed facilities such are x-ray machines and canine dogs of the Philippine Coast Guard to monitor presence of illegal drugs and weapons that might enter this resort island.

Mounting opposition to Boracay casino proposal

by  Atty.Ronquillo C. Tolentino

 Amidst stiff opposition by Boracay residents and the Diocese of Kalibo, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation  (PAGCOR)  twice put aside the plan to establish a casino in Boracay notwithstanding the same position now aired by Pagcor, nay, Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, that earnings could help in the easy financing of development projects on the island tourist destination.

It was on August 31, 2003 when PAGCOR set aside the plan when the former president categorically declared that she was against it.

As a matter of recollection, then Kalibo Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes in his December 10, 2002 letter to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo with attached letters from parish priests and member of the pastoral councils in the Diocese of Aklan sought the president to stop the plan to put up a casino citing the harmful effects of the proposed casino.  

Reyes stressed in his October 22, 2002 pastoral letter that casinos are the cause of the impoverishment and breaking up of families.   “Casino promote enslavement or addiction to the passion of gambling.  They weaken the moral strength of people”, Reyes emphasized.    

Reyes added that Boracay is God’s gift to Aklan and the whole world.   “Until now it is a family resort frequented and enjoyed by all.  It is still wholesome. Let us help at that way”. Reyes concluded.

 When the plans to put up casino in Boracay again surfaced in 2008, Kalibo Bishop Jose Romeo Lazo rejected the plan again.

 Lazo stressed that Boracay is a natural treasure of the Aklanons and the Filipino people.   “We are for a family-oriented and wholesome island resort and we therefore want a drug-free and gambling-free Boracay”, Lazo added.

 The 2008 plan of Pagcor again failed.  This time, plan is being resuscitated with the help of Malay’s Sangguniang Bayan.

 Business organizations in Boracay, specifically the Boracay Foundation, Inc. (BFI) had declared that it is opposed to the putting up of a casino in Boracay.

An email sent me by a friend from New Jersey, USA had stated that the casino proposal is being opposed in the USA.  While he did not specify whether the opposition came from Aklanons in the Unites States, he requested me to see and read certain opposition statements of the Community Organization based at Boston Massachusetts on the facebook account One Million Filipinos Against Casino in Boracay.

I am only quoting three of the many opposition statements, thus :  “For the last 2 decades, we have seen the pristine island of Boracay degrade.  To make things worse, there are plans to set up 3 or more casinos in Boracay.  We already know the social implications of having a Casino within residential areas.  Though this effort is about uniting a million voices to stop this travesty, it is also a trumpet call to warn the politicians and businessmen that the people are watching and listening.  We will not let our beautiful land be raped for some short terms financial gain.  It stops now.  Let our voices be heard!”

 “To unite one million voices shouting :  No Casinos in Boracay.

 “Casino would be sealing Boracay’s fate to complete degradation.  There is still a chance to rehabilitate the situation in Boracay.  Time to act now. Please invite your friends to this page.  We have a long way to go but with God’s  help we will be a voice to be heard.”

 “There are millions of Filipinos against the opening of casinos in Boracay.  Please help us stop the abuse of both the people and the island.  If we can’t take care of this small 7km island, how can we take care of the rest of 7,000 islands.  For whatever is given to us, we will be held accountable by God.”

Aklan’s Buruanga town to launch week-long local festival

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan–- The municipality of Buruanga in Aklan is slated to launch its own week-long festival dubbed as "Panagat Festival" that will commence on May 2.

Ariel Abriam, president of the Philippine chamber of Commerce and Industry-Boracay, said that he has been extending support to the municipality in drawing up with various events to come up with a very festive activity.

The festival will kick off with the "Bagtas" or a unity walk starting from Brgy. Mayapay, Buruanga to the Buruanga Sunset Plaza; "Hampang Kitahanon" or a friendly sports competition among local government employees, Sangguniang Kabataan, barangay councils, Department of Education (DepEd) family.

A biking competition will be held May 3-5 starting from Nabas town to Caticlan; Malay to Poblacion Buruanga and heading towards Barangay Tag-Osip Buruanga, Aklan.

A series of sports activities such as the Invitational Football Competition, Invitational Volleyball Competition (Men and Women); and an Invitational Arnis Competition will also be held.

A boat raising contest using "layag" or sail; fishing contest using rod (hook and line) where the one who gets the biggest catch wins; fish dressing contest and a grand reunions of Buruanga residents to be sponsored by the Municipal Tourism Council are slated on May 6.

There will also be a showcase of barangay-based on May 7 where spectators will see the parade of floats and dancers in uniform by each participating barangay. After which, a final presentation of the festival dance at the Sunset Plaza will be held.

"There will be also be the Ariel's Cup for the six kilometers paddle boat raising/bugsay regatta open competition. A one man and two man boat raising will be held," Abriam said.

A coronation of Mutya ng Buruanga and Grand Binayle will be sponsored by the local government unit headed by Mayor Quezon Labindao in the evening of May 7.

Buruanga residents are expected to see the live telecast of the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley while enjoying a buffet lunch at the plaza after the thanksgiving mass on May 8. After the anticipated fight parlor games for children will be held in the afternoon.

"The first festival will culminate through a non-stop merrymaking at the plaza to be sponsored by the Association of Barangay Council and the Sangguniang Kabataan in coordination with the Philippine National Police," Abriam said. 

PDEA to orient gov’t execs on drug woes

BORACAY — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will brief officials of the provincial government on the prevailing illegal drug problems in Aklan, at the Infant Jesus Academy in Kalibo town on April 15.

According to the PDEA, the problem on illegal drugs thrives in this resort island.
Statistics on the said case is yet to be presented in the forthcoming forum.

Aside from government leaders, members of the media, stakeholders and representatives of the different sectors are expected to participate in the briefing.

Last week, PDEA, in cooperation with policemen here, have identified three suspected drug pushers.

One of them was Allan Chavez Dekiko, a 32-year-old tattoo artist from Caloocan City, who was arrested in a buy-bust operation.

The arresting policemen seized from him five transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu and marked money.

While Dekiko denied he was peddling illegal drugs, he was charged with possession of illegal drugs.

Authorities did not reveal the names of the other two identified suspects pending police investigation.

But they said one of the two has escaped police dragnet.

Experts give go signal for a reclamation project in Caticlan

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay, Aklan-- The president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Boracay (PCCI-Boracay) welcomed the move of the University of the Philippines-Marine Environmental Resources Foundation Incorporated to have a 2.6- hectare reclamation project in Barangay Caticlan, Malay Aklan.

Ariel Abriam, PCCI-Boracay president, said that he recently met with Dr. Cesar Villanoy of the UP-Marine Science, former Congressman Allen Quimpo and several provincial government officials to discuss with experts the final report on the study on possible environment hazards of the reclamation project.

"It is good that Dr. Villanoy had given a strong stand on the controversial reclamation project and that they are now openly endorsing it," said Abriam.

For almost a year, the Malay local government and some private individuals in Boracay have strongly opposed the project. Because of the opposition, the Department of Tourism (DOT) commissioned the UP-Marine Science to study the environmental impact of the project.

Abriam said that the construction of the reclamation project is timely on the declaration of the Trip Advisor that Boracay Island is the second best beach in the world. The Trip Advisor is the world’s largest travel site.

"We need more facilities for Boracay and that the reclamation project is a welcome development,” he said.

Malay mayor: No getting of white sand in Boracay

BORACAY — Again, the office of Malay Mayor John Yap urged both foreign and local tourists not to quarry white sand in this resort island, even a handful.

This was after scientists recently called on the preservation of the white sand along beaches here, for which this resort island has been famous in the world.

Yap’s environment coordinator Elena Brugger said aside from prohibiting white sand quarrying, the Yap administration has also disallowed one of the tourist attractions here — white sand castle making.

Experts from the University of the Philippines Marine Sciences said “coral reefs cover 10–15 percent of this resort island, so we are alarmed of the continuous environmental degradation,” according to Brugger.

“Already, many of the beaches in Boracay are suffering from the beach erosion also because of climate change,” she said.

White sand quarrying and white sand castle making destroys the contour of the beaches, the scientists said.

The municipal government of Malay is also studying the possible regulation of water sports activities here.

“The local government wanted to preserve the natural beauty of Boracay. We hope tourists would cooperate so the younger generation will still appreciate this resort island,” said Brugger./

Aklan beauty queen to represent PHL to Miss Asia Pacific pageant

A beauty queen from this province will represent the Philippines to the Miss Asia Pacific World beauty pageant.

Michelle Martha Braun, 21, who won the Miss Philippines-Earth Air in 2009, is wishing her countrymen's support and vote at the http://www.missasiapacific.tv website.

The Miss Asia Pacific International is the first and oldest beauty pageant in Asia. It began as a regional pageant in 1968, known as the Miss Asia Quest. Participating countries came from Asia and Oceania.

In 1985, the pageant changed its name to the Miss Asia Pacific Quest, to encompass countries not just in the Asian and Oceania region, but those of North, Central and South America with borders touching the Pacific Ocean.

In 2008, however, the annual holding of the beauty pageant was canceled due to lack of sponsors, participants and popularity.

This year, the prestigious beauty pageant will be held in the Floating Island in Seoul, Korea on June 11 with around 70 countries reportedly joining the event.

Braun, from New Washington, Aklan, graduated from the Aklan Catholic College here and currently works as a fashion model. An environmentalist, one of her advocacy is the preservation of Boracay Island.

“My secrets in winning beauty pageants in the past are prayers, determination and projecting my best,” Braun said.

Operation vs illegal activities in Boracay intensified

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan— The Task Force Boracay has intensified its operation against illegal drugs on this resort island after receiving reports from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on the alleged lucrative illegal trade among drug pushers and users here.

PDEA recently arrested in Kalibo, Aklan a suspected drug pusher who confessed that illegal drugs come to this resort island from Manila through the use of a forwarding service.

For several years, the PDEA has been receiving intelligence reports that drug syndicates are using forwarding services to transport illegal drugs here. The agency admits however that it faces difficulty in effectively tracing suspects.

PDEA, thus, is currently coordinating with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC) in drawing up a Memorandum of Agreement (MIA) to ensure that the trade of illegal drugs could not be transmitted through parcel services.

Niven Maquirang, Caticlan Jetty Port administrator and a member of said Task Force, underlined that henceforth, all packages being delivered to this resort island will be strictly be inspected. The Caticlan Jetty port is the key entry and exit points of tourists coming to and from this resort island.

"A service desk will also be set up in Caticlan to serve as assistance center for tourists coming to Boracay," Maquirang said.

The Task Force is composed of the Aklan provincial government, the Malay government, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard among other entities.

LMP partners with DOH for health programs

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan-- The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) has officially partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that the delivery of basic health services of the government will reach remote barangays in the country.

The LMP-DOH partnership was sealed in the just concluded three day conference held here March 28-30.

Malinao Mayor Wilbert Ariel Igoy who joined the summit said that Health Secretary Enrique Ona spoke with 90 mayors representing different regions in the country. Representatives from the Linking Initiatives and Networking to Control Tuberculosis (TBLINC) project also attended the conference.

"Among the health issues that needed to be given special attention is the government's advocacy on eliminating measles cases and TB in the country. This is part of our government response to the Millennium Development Goal (MDG)," Igoy said. LMP-Aklan chapter was the host of the conference.

Meanwhile, Ona also led the ceremony upgrading the Boracay District Hospital here to expand its services for the needs of both the tourists and the residents.

Boracay Island inaugurates multi-million-peso sewage treatment plant

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay, Aklan– This island resort inaugurated Tuesday its multi-million-peso sewage treatment plant, which was constructed through a public-private partnership.

Malay Mayor John Yap said that the sewage treatment plant (STP) upgrading project was contracted by the Ayala-firm Boracay Island Water Co. Inc. (BIWC).

The BIWC was given the contract to operate the water treatment plant and sewage system for 25 years.

"The STP upgrading project which started last April 2010 increases the wastewater treatment capacity of the island by 230 percent. Consequently, this project advances environment-compliance four years ahead of the concession target," Yap said.

Last week, Yap also led the groundbreaking of the sanitary landfill in nearby Barangay Kabulihan, Malay, Aklan in cooperation with the R-II Group of Companies headed by its chair Reghis Romero.

Yap considered the sanitary landfill as a major project that would address the solid waste management concerns of the island.

"While there are indeed current actions to process and manage the island's solid waste through the implementation of Materials Recovery Facility, more comprehensive and long term solution is needed if the ecological safety and sustainability of the island is considered," Yap said, adding that he only continues the plan of the previous administration for Boracay. (photo by Alex Carlo Magno)