Boracay Tourist arrival reached 735 thousand in mid of 2014

Posted June 27, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The municipal Tourism Office (MTour) recorded 735 thousand tourists in the Island of Boracay in the first half of 2014.

MTour Boracay’s records showed that the number of the island’s visitors has reached 735,060 from month of January to May of this year.

Most of them are domestic with a total of 409, 693, followed by the foreign tourists at 303, 683 and overseas Filipino workers at 21, 729 and 3,291 others.

It was noted that Filipino tourists are still first on the list who come to Boracay in a period of five months while Chinese tourists followed at 100, 108 and Korean tourists, third.

Although they have reached half the target of 1.5 million tourist arrivals in Boracay for 2014 the Municipal Tourism Office and Provincial Government is hoping to reach this.

Meanwhile, despite of a bad weather and southwest monsoon, the influx of tourists is still visible in best Beach in Asia.

SP approves 2015 General Revision of Base Market Values of Aklan Real Properties

Posted June 27, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Aklan has approved the schedule of New Base Market Values of Real Properties for the 17 municipalities effective in January 2015.

SP’s approval includes special base market valuation of real properties in the resort island of Boracay, and Metro Kalibo.

After a series of committee and public hearings during the last four months, the SP during its 20th Regular Session, enacted Tax Ordinance No. 001, S., 2014 titled, “An Ordinance Fixing The Schedule Of New Base Market Values Of Real Properties for the 17 municipalities of Aklan for the 2015 General Revision allowed by law to include Special Base Market Valuation in Boracay Island and Metro Kalibo.

What was adopted and approved by the SP were actually the revised schedules from the original proposal of the Provincial Assessor’s Office where the levels of assessments were reduced to heed the demand of real property tax owners aired during the public hearings in Kalibo and Boracay Island.

In the revised schedules embodied in the General Revision Ordinance to be effective starting 2015, the SP had fixed the assessment level at 14% lower than the 15% originally proposed by the Provincial Assessor for all residential real properties.

The assessment level for all industrial properties is fixed at 33%, lower than 50% originally proposed by the Provincial Assessor.

Revised assessment level fixed for commercial properties is fixed at 33%, lower than the 50% originally proposed.

Assessment level for properties classified as agricultural is fixed at 34%, lower than the 40% that was originally proposed.

First turn explained by the Provincial Assessor Kokoy Soguilon stated “that in Section 219 of the Local Government Code based on Republic Act No. 7160; all local government should have a General Tax Revision of Real Properties every three years.”

Muslim brothers in Boracay, prepares for Ramadan

Posted June 26, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

Ramadan is the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar.

During this time, Muslims fast and offer prayers from dawn until dusk.

While fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, Muslim brothers in Boracay are now preparing for the onset of the observance.

This is also in union with the upcoming celebration of the holy month of more than a billion Muslims around the world.

According to Muslim brothers, they “were going to prepare during meditation, worship God, fasting or self-discipline and strengthening their spiritual life.”

Associated with it, most Muslims who own a souvenir shop on the island said that they “will not shut their business during the holy month of Ramadan.”

“Those who are sick, breast-feeding, traveling or pregnant are not required to fast that month, though they can make up the days at a later time.” It said.

It's also customary to give charity during Ramadan and to break the fast at night with family and friends.

Meanwhile, each year, Ramadan begins about eleven days earlier than in the previous year, astronomical projections that approximate the start of Ramadan are available.

It takes about 33 years and five days for Ramadan to complete a twelve month move across the yearly calendar.

Ramadan will start this coming Saturday, June 28, 2014 and continues for 30 days.

Translated by Gloria Villas

DENR, PIA launch climate change advocacy campaign

Posted June 26, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

“Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na Para Magbago”

This was the campaign’s national logo of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on how to diminish climate change.

In this connection, DENR ang PIA officially launched the climate change mitigation and advocacy campaign held Wednesday at Capitol Kalibo Aklan.

According to PIA Information Officer II, Venus Villanueva “This partnership project is in line with the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by DENR and PIA to conduct an extensive and intensive climate change advocacy campaign to strengthen partnership among communities for climate change adaptation.”

She said that “the advocacy campaign is the result of the environmental impact of climate change and all environmental concerns are in ways connected to climate change.”

On the other hand, Merlene Aborka of DENR Aklan also agreed that “The campaign shall provide the thematic advocacy brand as focal agenda for all DENR’s environmental programs and efforts.”

She said the campaign also aims to weaken public’s apathy to climate change concerns and to environmental agenda.

She stressed that “apathy is now a thing of the past” and there should be active cooperation and participation for own protection with adaptation capability to build resiliency and mitigation measures to protect ourselves and the environment.

Meanwhile, the DENR is the lead agency that heads the environment cluster on climate change mitigation and adaptation and at the same time, heads the advocacy work of the government in raising public awareness on disaster risks reduction.

On the other hand, the PIA has the technical expertise, network, and capability in implementing advocacy campaigns that includes but not limited to production and dissemination of information materials using multi-media including social media platforms.  

Test Pile for Port Expansion in Cagban Jetty port is now starting for construction

Posted June 26, 2014

Written Jay-ar M. Arante

The Test Pile for the port Expansion of Cagban Jetty Port is now being started

According to Special Operation Officer III Jean Pontero of Caticlan Jetty Port, they are going to add 51 meters to the current port due to the limited dimension of the ramp that causes the slow operation of boats during low tide.

Pontero pointed that additional staircases will also be constructed and once finished, boats and ferries can dock simultaneously.

It was noted that the project was implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) after they conducted an inspection on the island together with DILG Secretary Mar Roxas.

Pontero added that it they target to finish before the start of summer season next year.

For now they have more plans for the betterment of Caticlan and Cagban Jetty Port.

Drug accomplishment on the island of Boracay, rose this year

Posted June 25, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

Drug accomplishment on the island of Boracay rose this year.

In fact, according to Boracay PNP Chief of Intelligence and Operation Section P/Inspector Kennan Ruiz, in the 1st quarter alone of 2014, Boracay PNP even exceeded the drug accomplishment of the entire year of 2013.

He also added that the combined forces of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group and Boracay PNP resulted in the success of their consecutive operations on the island.

It was noted that they reached twelve successful buy-bust operations which was recorded by the Boracay PNP from January to March of this year.

Meanwhile, Boracay PNP vowed to curb the illegal drugs on the island.

They also warned the people behind this work to stop what they do and earn from more sensible means.

Recently, a tattoo artist and two of his companions were caught by operatives in a Buy-Bust Operation selling illegal drugs.

Translated by Jay-ar M. Arante

LGU Malay currently studying the resolution of PALMT-Boracay regarding Licensed Massage Therapist

Posted June 24, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Local Government Unit of Malay currently studying the resolution approving the application for accreditation of Licensed Massage Therapist Inc. (PALMT-Boracay)

It is based on Memorandum Order 312 Series of 2011 of the Department of Health (DOH) that all massage therapists must get a licensure exam.

During the last session of SB Malay they discussed the said matter which is needed to regulate the masseurs in the island.

It was noted that it is a mandate of the DOH, wherein therapist may not be able to practice without this license.

For now the LGU Malay needs to further study on this but also they are ready to support the resolution for the benefits of the masseurs in Boracay.

Meanwhile more than two hundred massage therapists in the island have passed the written examination conducted by the DOH.

Garlic prices push cost in Boracay Island as well

Posted June 23, 2014

Written by Bert Dalida

Garlic is now retailed at more than P300 a kilo in Boracay Island, causing households and restaurants to cut down on the use of these condiments.

Indeed, according to a chef in one cooking service at D’Talipapa Boracay, they just have merely over a kilo budget compared to its cheaper price before it extends.

“Basically, we need garlic as condiments in different specialty such as butter garlic shrimps, garlic butter crabs, garlic rice and other pan-fried foods specifically popular among tourists.” It says.

Furthermore, whole seller / retailer (s) also confirmed that they do not have a choice but to sell a whole piece of garlic in P15.

Meanwhile, in an effort to temper the price spike, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has arranged sorties of rolling trucks that sell local garlic in key marketplaces.

Based on DA monitoring, in the first quarter of 2014 alone, garlic prices rocketed by 213 percent—or more than thrice—“due to a lower supply of imported garlic and a higher demand from traders.”

However, DA has also convened the National Garlic Action Team to determine the cause of the price spike and come up with solutions.

DA says that “The action team is composed of representatives of the DA High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the academe, and the private sector.”


Translated by Gloria Villas

Aklan's Indigenous People, featured in Dayaw Festival

Posted June 23, 2014

Written by Jay-ar M. Arante

The Indigenous People in the province of Aklan will be featured in Dayaw Festival.

This is after the meeting between the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA), the Ati leaders and Aklan Province last June 18, 2014 at the Governor’s Office Conference Room.             

                                            

Here they discussed to have a Dayaw Festival in the province which is exclusive to the natives.

It was noted that the Dayaw Festival will be conducted in the town of Malay because this is where a high number of Aklan's Indigenous People has been found.

Governor Joeben Miraflores and Congressman Ted Haresco led the said conference as a means to show value to the native Ati’s in the province.

Meanwhile it has been found that the number of Indigenous People in the province is growing high as they also have their own places in the town of Malay and others are working on the island of Boracay.