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.”
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
‘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.
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.
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.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
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.
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.
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