Saturday, August 31, 2013

Demolitions of boat stations at Boracay’s beach front, under National Task Force’s deliberation

Written by: Bert Dalida

The Re-development Task Force has yet to decide what to do with the three boat stations at the Boracay's beach front.

Mabel Bacani of the Re-development Task Force said it is still under the deliberation of the National Task Force, since the mentioned structures are facilities approved under the Boracay Master Development Plan.

According to DOT Boracay OIC Tim Ticar, government structures that are considered service providers are not included or are exempted from the 25+5 meter easement.

Ticar said that the mentioned boat stations was funded by the Department of Tourism and was given to LGU Malay.

Meanwhile, the demolition of illegal structures at Boracay’s vegetation area have already been started, some were voluntarily done by the resorts and establishments themselves.


Translated by: Shelah Casiano

Friday, August 30, 2013

☼ GARDENERS aND OFFICE CLEANERS

Written by: Rodel J. Abalus

Village plazas where sports, recreation, cultural activities, and at times physical education classes are held look appealing when there are healthy flowering plants and plants.

While the three gardeners/office cleaners were sitting at the Balabag Village plaza of Boracay Island as they went on their daily work, a chance interview was conducted on August 28, Wednesday afternoon.

It was learned from Maria Melly Bartolome, 54 years old, who had worked for three (3) years as a gardener/office cleaner, that if they like a particular plant, they request from the owners in order to plant at the plaza.

She explained that compost from the Material Recovery Facility was used in the concrete box for plants on the southern side of the basketball court of the plaza.

According to her, that was the reason why the plants were more robust there than the plants on the eastern side of the plaza.

Meanwhile, Gelly Seraspi, 37 yrs old, the youngest among the three and had worked on the job since March 2013, expressed appreciation of the attractiveness of the garden at the Manoc-Manoc plaza, and at the surroundings of Yapak Village.

Cecilyn Bartolome, 49 years old, who had worked for three (3) years on the job, offered the interviewer her improvised seat, made of ply wood, and cautioned Seraspi for staying under the heat of the sun who answered back in the vernacular in a mildly joking manner something like the foreigners do the same and that her father was a half Filipino and half foreigner himself.

Their work schedule is Mondays to Fridays, and half day on Saturdays and their work also include cleaning offices.

At the end of the interview, the three (3) ladies all had a sweet smile as they asked the interviewer to greet them over the radio.

 

DOT, launched Dive Market Development Group; dive operators in Boracay, called for

Written by: Bert Dalida

The Department of Tourism (DOT) called for a meeting for dive shop operators in Boracay yesterday.

This is in relation to the Dive Market Development Group launched by the DOT.

During Thursday’s consultative meeting, DOT Officer-in-Charge Tim Ticar said that the tourism department is ready to help dive shop operators on the island to make Boracay as one of the country’s dive destinations.

Meanwhile, according to Dive Market Development Head Zeny Pallugna, together with the group’s formation, the DOT has visited different dive destinations in the Philippines for the first time.

The Dive Market Development Group aims to encourage more divers to visit the country.

Some studies suggest that diving is popular among tourists as it is a relaxing activity.

The mentioned meeting was attended by more than 30 dive shop operators in Boracay Island.


Translated by: Shelah Casiano

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Resort owners in Boracay, alerted against a modus using DOT Secretary Jimenez’s name

Written by: Jay-ar Arante

The Department of Tourism has alerted the owners of resorts in Boracay against a certain group with a modus operandi using the name of DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez.

According to DOT Boracay Officer-in-Charge Tim Ticar, the establishments must be aware to avoid falling into this deceit.

This followed after a resort in the island received a call yesterday from someone who identified himself as DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez and was asking for money.

The station confirmed this from the resorts’ manager.

According to the manager, an individual who claimed to be the DOT Secretary called them up and asked for Php 10,000 as financial assistance to the victims of typhoon Maring.

The manager however was skeptical when the said person gave a 2 hour deadline to send the money through a money remittance branch.

The resort’s accounting department was instantly warned.

The incident was then immediately reported to Malay DOT Officer Felix Delos Santos and Boracay DOT OIC Tim Ticar.

Meanwhile, through this station Ticar also advises the public to be vigilant against the mentioned modus.


Translated by: Shelah Casiano

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

BUSINESSMEN tO BE AFFECTED bY tHE 25+5 METER EASEMENT, WOULD COMPLY aS LONG aS IMPLEMENTATION iS tHE SAME fOR ALL

Written by:  Jay-ar M. Arante

Businessmen in Boracay will follow the 25+5 meter easement provided the implementation is the same for everyone.

According to a management of a resort at Station 2, they were in favor to the directive of the National Government and the Local Government of Malay if it is for the benefit of Boracay Island.

They expressed readiness to demolish their temporary structure on Wednesday, August 28 even if the move will affect their dinner buffet and entertainment band.

The resort added that they would look for a place where they could move their tent which would be affected by the 25+5 meter easement.

The deadline given by the task force in the demolition of tents and umbrellas at the front beach was set on Wednesday, August 28 in observance of the order of President Benigno Aquino III for the benefit of Boracay.

Meanwhile the task force made clear that tables or chairs could be put in front of resorts and hotels from five until six (5pm-6am).



Translated/Edited by: Rodel J. Abalus

Red Cross Boracay-Malay Chapter, pleased with Life Guard volunteers on the island

Written by: Bert Dalida

The Philippine Red Cross Boracay-Malay Chapter is happy for and is pleased with the life guard volunteers on the island.

According to PRC Boracay-Malay Chapter Administrator Marlo Schoenenberger, the team has again saved many lives these past days.

It included saving a young boy from drowning.

The incident occurred at an area in Station 1 where the life guard volunteers have actively responded.

Schoenenberger confirmed this after having talked with the said volunteers yesterday.

Meanwhile, in a text message, the administrator said that the volunteers may also be given a recommendation.

And this will be on the PRC’s chapter assembly on September 11 during which Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang will be arriving.

He added that aside from the Red Cross, the LGU Malay can also give their recommendation.


Translated by: Shelah Casiano

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Due to the 25+5 easement, Boracay Fire Dancers fears of possibly losing their job

Written by: Bert Dalida

“We might lose our source of income.”

This is what worries a group of fire dancers in Boracay once the implementation of the 25+5 meter easement pushes through.

According to “Nelson” of the Solara Fire Dancers, the tourists come to Boracay not only for vacation but also for entertainment.

And one of the island’s main attractions known to them is the fire dancing.

Nelson however said that if what he heard was right, that they too will be affected by the easement, then they might be losing their means of living.

In line with this, he added that fire dancers in Boracay should also meet and confer after learning that some of them stopped performing in order to maintain a cleaner beach line.

The hazards that the said activity can cause to the sands were previously explained.

Meanwhile, Malay SB Member Rowen Aguirre has earlier stressed the prompt implementation of the 25+5 easement in order to avoid the drawbacks it may bring to the tourism industry.


Translated by: Shelah Casiano

Monday, August 26, 2013

BFI, READY tO HELP tHE LGU oF MALAY fOR tHE PROGRESS oF tHE ISLAND

Written by: Mackie Pajarillo

“It is time to cooperate for the development of the island”

This was the statement on Sunday, August 25 of the BFI President, Jony Salme regarding the demolition issue of illegal structures of establishments at the front beach.

He pointed that because the island of Boracay is already being observed by the National Government, the law already needed to be implemented for the island.

However, Salme said that they did not yet have an update when the start of the self-demolition of affected establishments since he was not able to attend the meeting of the Boracay Re-Development Task  Force on the mentioned plan of the LGU of Malay.

Nevertheless, BFI will be expecting that the owners of establishments to be affected by the demolition at the front beach will cooperate according to Salme.

He added that this was the case since each has a responsibility to which each is already aware of.

The example given was those from Station 1 who had discussed and had agreed to cooperate with the Local Government of Malay.

 Previously, the Boracay Re-Development Task Force had given a seven (7) day self-demolition of illegal structures at the vegetation area.

The BFI President added that it is expected that an extension will be asked by those concerned because of the short period of time given by the task force, and complicating the matter is the current unfavorable weather.

According to Salme, the measures are in the law and even the BFI is ready to help the LGU of Malay for the development of the island.



Translated/Edited by: Rodel J. Abalus

Sunday, August 25, 2013

FLIGHTS aT KALIBO AIRPORT, GOING BACK tO NORMAL

Written by: Malbert Dalida

Although no advisories had been received from airline companies, Kalibo International Airport Manager, Percy Malonesio confirmed that flights were slowly returning to normal at the airport.

Kalibo and the province of Aklan recently experienced the weather disturbance brought about by typhoon “Maring.”

Malonesio said that there were already airplanes from different airline companies that were landing in Kalibo Airport.

While he confirmed that there were still many passengers who were stranded on Wednesday afternoon, August 21 because of delayed flights, he nevertheless made assurance that the security system and facilities of the airport for passengers were in order.



Translated/Edited by: Rodel J. Abalus