Ati-atihan festival in Kalibo, kicked off yesterday

Written Jay-ar Arante

The annual celebration of the “Ati-atihan Festival” in Kalibo, Aklan and is dubbed as the “Mother of all Festivals” in the country, kicked off yesterday.

Last night’s opening salvo was graced by the “Search for Mutya at Lakan ng Kalibo Ati-atihan 2014” where beautiful and handsome candidates represented their respective towns.

KASAFI or the Kalibo Ati-atihan Santo Niño Festival Inc. is all geared up for the event as drumbeats, street dance and excited people filled the Kalibo Pastrana Park.

Meanwhile, the most awaited “Higante Parade” or giants’ parade joined by 16 towns in the province will be held on Thursday.

This will include the towns’ presentation of their primary products and talents.

In line with this, the authorities are upping the security in Kalibo for a successful 10-day celebration of the Ati-atihan Festival that will last until January 19, 2014.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Boracay PNP, presented its accomplishment report for 2013

Written by Gloria Villas

Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) made known its accomplishment report for year 2013.

Only some of the things made known by BTAC is its alleged successful campaign against illegal drugs.

Based on the press release of BTAC, from its total of 22 operations conducted, 26 individuals were arrested that have non bailable cases, and these cases were filed at the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, one of the alleged biggest accomplishments of the Boracay PNP is the recovery of 16 pieces of transparent plastic bags which had more or less 8 inches by 10 inches size containing shabu, one (1) extended magazine of Cal. 45 pistol, eighteen (18) live ammunitions of Cal.45.

Different crimes like illegal gambling were suppressed wherein 21 wanted persons were arrested.

In its campaign on theft, 21 cases were alleged to have been filed at the Supreme Court with 43 suspects arrested from 43 operations held.

The Boracay PNP was also proud of its TOP 20 passers of the NAPOLCOM Promotional Examination, wherein 17 where promoted to higher ranks of Police Officer 3, Police Officer 2, and forbeing the recipient of an award from the Police Regional Office 6 Headquarters in Camp Delgado, Iloilo City.

On the other hand, Boracay PNP continues its focus on land dispute, commercial sex workers, lady boys or gay prostitutes, minors, illegal drugs and other unruly individuals in the island.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

SB Malay, to give attention to LGU's Boracay bridge project

Written by Jay-ar Arante

The Municipal Council of Malay is looking into Malay Mayor John P. Yap's request in relation to the Boracay Bridge Project.

And this is to give the Mayor the power to get into a Memorandum of Agreement with Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd.

The said MOA states the construction of the Boracay Bridge which will be operated under the Build-Operate-Transfer or BOT Project.

During Tuesday's SB Session in Malay, SB Member Frolibar Bautista said that they will be inviting the management of Daewoo on the next session.

Bautista added that it is important for them to know the mentioned company's plan, background and capacity to take on the Boracay Bridge Project.

In line with this, Malay Vice Mayor Wilbec Gelito referred the project to the Committee on Laws and Committee on Public Works and Highways.

Other councilors jokingly said it would be "ok" to have a bridge going to Boracay to avoid the problems at the jetty port.

Meanwhile, the Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd. is a worldwide construction company handling projects in many different countries.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

AKELCO Boracay, will not increase electric power rate post Typhoon Yolanda”

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) firmly stated that they did not increase power rate after typhoon Yolanda or Haiyan.

This was after some consumers complained at their establishment. The complaint was allegedly due to the increase of the consumers’ electric bill in the previews month despite the loss of electric supply because of the mentioned typhoon.

According to Engineer Jeffrey Inson of AKELCO Substation Boracay, their charge on electric bill is based on the electric meter of every household and establishment in the Island of Boracay.

Inson explained that Boracay did not lose electric supply for the whole month and that the supply came from NGCP-PPC from the town of Nabas which has a higher power rate.

He said this was the reason electric bill of consumers increased even if the electric supply was just rotational in the month of November and December.

Meanwhile, Inson clarified that changing of electric meter destroyed during typhoon Yolanda is for free.

He said that the meter just needs to be brought to their office to be replaced with a new one.

On the other hand, electric supply for the province of Aklan has been 100 percent returned to normal after the repair and general cleaning which they held in the previews year.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

AKELCO Boracay, will not increase electric power rate post Typhoon Yolanda”

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) firmly stated that they did not increase power rate after typhoon Yolanda or Haiyan.

This was after some consumers complained at their establishment. The complaint was allegedly due to the increase of the consumers’ electric bill in the previews month despite the loss of electric supply because of the mentioned typhoon.

According to Engineer Jeffrey Inson of AKELCO Substation Boracay, their charge on electric bill is based on the electric meter of every household and establishment in the Island of Boracay.

Inson explained that Boracay did not lose electric supply for the whole month and that the supply came from NGCP-PPC from the town of Nabas which has a higher power rate.

He said this was the reason electric bill of consumers increased even if the electric supply was just rotational in the month of November and December.

Meanwhile, Inson clarified that changing of electric meter destroyed during typhoon Yolanda is for free.

He said that the meter just needs to be brought to their office to be replaced with a new one.

On the other hand, electric supply for the province of Aklan has been 100 percent returned to normal after the repair and general cleaning which they held in the previews year.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

AKELCO Boracay, will not increase electric power rate post Typhoon Yolanda”

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) firmly stated that they did not increase power rate after typhoon Yolanda or Haiyan.

This was after some consumers complained at their establishment. The complaint was allegedly due to the increase of the consumers’ electric bill in the previews month despite the loss of electric supply because of the mentioned typhoon.

According to Engineer Jeffrey Inson of AKELCO Substation Boracay, their charge on electric bill is based on the electric meter of every household and establishment in the Island of Boracay.

Inson explained that Boracay did not lose electric supply for the whole month and that the supply came from NGCP-PPC from the town of Nabas which has a higher power rate.

He said this was the reason electric bill of consumers increased even if the electric supply was just rotational in the month of November and December.

Meanwhile, Inson clarified that changing of electric meter destroyed during typhoon Yolanda is for free.

He said that the meter just needs to be brought to their office to be replaced with a new one.

On the other hand, electric supply for the province of Aklan has been 100 percent returned to normal after the repair and general cleaning which they held in the previews year.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

Aklan Provincial Government, still hopeful for Supreme Court’s approval of Caticlan Reclamation Project

Written by Gloria Villas

The Province of Aklan is still hoping that the Supreme Court will approve the Reclamation Project at Caticlan, Malay, Aklan.

According to Provincial Council Secretary Odon S. Bandiola, although updates on the decision of the higher court is yet to be heard, the province will be conducting another petition for the Caticlan Reclamation Project to be pursued.

Bandiola added requirements for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are being attended and prepared to complete the documents needed to be passed to the Supreme Court.

The High Court has previously issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to put off the 1-billion-peso project of the province to reclaim the tens of hectares in Boracay and Caticlan due to environmental issues.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

CENRO Boracay, No comment on BRTF’s method on sea wall demolition

Written by Bert Dalida

“No comment”

This is Boracay CENRO or Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Norman Dy Lebelo’s reaction for now, regarding the Boracay Redevelopment Task Force (BRTF)’s method on a sea wall demolition at the station 1 beach front yesterday.

During which, the demolition team has not transferred the bulldozed rocks and instead has buried them there.

This caused the public and tourists passing by the area to worry as iron rods were still attached on the rocks that were buried.

A question if this manner is “ok” with the CENRO has then followed.

Boracay Island Administrator Glenn Sacapaño however said that the process is even good for the white sands because the rocks will prevent it to be washed back to the water.

Meanwhile, based on Lebelo’s text message yesterday afternoon, he said he cannot comment on the matter since the DENR itself inspects the methods of the BRTF.

Island Administrator Sacapaño himself has led the demolition team in taking down the sea wall belonging to the Elizaldes in Boracay.

Translated by Shelah Casiano

Donation of PAGCOR to DepEd Aklan, not yet received

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The donation of the Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) had allegedly not been received by the Department of Education (DepEd) Aklan.

PAGCOR had previously stated that it would donate P2 billion to DepEd for the schools destroyed by typhoon Yolanda or Haiyan.

According to Aklan Division Physical Facilities Coordinator, Marivic Tolentino, probably the management of the DepEd will instead give the amount to finally reconstruct the schools destroyed by the typhoon.

For the meantime, the damaged schools had been temporarily reconstructed with the help from stakeholders, private individuals and local governments in the province.

It was learned that the P2 billion fund from the PAGCOR was meant for the construction of more than 2,000 classrooms at the area of Palawan and Romblon including the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Bogo City, Cebu, Samar, Leyte, Ormoc and Tacloban.

In the latest record from DepEd, it was estimated that 5, 900 classrooms in Visayas and Region 4 were completely destroyed during typhoon Yolanda while 14,508 were partly destroyed.

As of press time, almost 100 percent of classes in the whole province of Aklan have returned to normal 59 days after typhoon Yolanda struck.

Translated/Edited by Rodel J. Abalus

Catholic Church in Boracay, extends message in relation to 2014 Boracay Ati-atihan

Written by Mackie Pajarillo

The Holy Rosary Parish Church in Boracay extends its message to its congregation in relation to the celebration of Boracay Ati-atihan 2014.

Father Nonoy Crisostomo, Team Ministry Moderator of the BHRP said that the few changes on the celebration echoed the island’s status.

A status where there are many tourists to whom we can show our culture as Filipinos and devotees of Sr. Sto. Niño.

This year, Fr. Crisostomo said that the activities are better coordinated with the Balabag Brgy. Council and the Malay Tourism Office.

This he said is for an enhanced and more joyful celebration of the feast of the Child Jesus in the island.

Moreover, Crisostomo said that this may not only be about drinking and merry making, but that people should remember that this is an expression of their faith.

He added that this celebration may be peaceful and meaningful for both local and foreign tourists.

Father Crisostomo wishes everyone a prosperous new year and that the Child Jesus shall be with everyone’s lives for more years to come.

Translated by Shelah Casiano