CAAP-Kalibo under fire

Government and church officials criticized the way the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is managing the Kalibo International Airport here.
They cited complaints from passengers and personal experience in describing how uncomfortable traveling through one of the busiest airports in the country has become.
And then there is the issue on security. Just last week, a penniless woman was able to fly to Incheon, South Korea without a ticket and a passport.
Leah Castro Reginio, a native of Antique, bypassed security and immigration officials at the Kalibo airport but was sent back to the Philippines when Korean airport authorities discovered she did not have any travel documents, a national newspaper has reported.
Now the CAAP-Kalibo under Manager Cynthia Aspera is under fire.
The “united leadership of Aklan” has been disappointed with the way CAAP operates the Kalibo airport, said Vice Gov. Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo.
“We have been receiving from tourists numerous complaints about the (airport’s) operation,” said Quimpo. “There are too many delayed flights … lack of comfort rooms and [air-conditioning units].”
Panay News reported earlier this month that congestion at the passenger terminal building and foul odor emanating from comfort rooms continue to badger the gateway.
Aside from the shortage of seats, passengers also lamented that the long queues at the only two comfort rooms — one for males, another for females — make waiting at the already crowded terminal even more uncomfortable.
Apparently, too, security at the Kalibo International Airport is lax, said Quimpo. “This is frightening.”
The Kalibo airport is the primary gateway of many local and foreign visitors bound for tourist attractions in Aklan, particularly the world-famous island resort Boracay.
Gov. Florencio Miraflores and Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. has also expressed concern regarding the airport’s management and hoped to see huge improvements thereat this year.
Kalibo Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc, for his part, said he buys three different plane tickets every time he goes to Manila to make sure he arrives in time for his appointments.
This reporter went to Aspera’s office yesterday to get her comment but the CAAP official refused to be interviewed.

BFP implements strict fire code compliance for APEC

The Boracay Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is now implementing a strict compliance for fire code as part of its role in preparation for APEC meeting this April.

SF02 Alfred Rome of the BFP-Boracay said that they had received orders from the regional headquarters to ensure that the fire code in this resort island is properly implemented.

The BFP is also expecting additional troops from the regional office to augment local fire personnel in this resort island.

"The bureau will start the strict implementation of fire code through inspection of establishments which are renewing their permits at the local government," said Rome.

The BFP has noted an increasing number of constructions emerging at this resort island causing higher probability of fire incidents.

Meanwhile, the BFP also warned local fire dancers to be wary of their performances. Some of them are reportedly performing in closed areas that is considered dangerous.

Business permit renewal deadline extended

The local government of Malay, Aklan has extended the renewal of business permits to February this year.

This developed after the Office of the Mayor requested the local council to extend the deadline to Feb. 20 to accommodate more clients. The original deadline was Jan. 20.

The municipal council immediately approved the extension as the local chief executive considered the request immediate.

To ease the long cue during the annual renewal of business permits, the local council is studying how to minimize the requirements needed.

Council to ask SC opinion on easement rules

The Malay Council will be asking the opinion of the Supreme Court (SC) regarding the controversial easement rules on this resort island.

Malay Councilor Jupiter Gallenero said that Boracay is only a small island that the strict enforcement of the 15 meters both side easement in the main road is chaotic.

"We will only inquire on the SC. We will consider their opinion," said Gallenero.

Last October, Malay mayor John Yap has issued an executive order declaring moratorium on new constructions at the main road. Yap said the moratorium will be lifted if they had a clear mandate on the easement rules.

The 15 meters both sides easement is a mandated policy provided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

"We will also coordinate with the Congressional District Office if there is a need to craft a house bill to this effect," said Gallenero.

Two cruise ships arriving in Boracay this January

Italian cruise ship Costa Victoria arrived here at noon Monday for a short visit.

Niven Maquirang, jetty port administrator, said that MS Costa Victoria, Victoria-class cruise ship owned and operated by Costa Crociere has 2, 394 passengers and some 800 crews.

The ship's passengers visited several tourism destinations in this resort island, which included Mt. Luho, Puka Beach, D'Mall and the Ati Village. Most of the passengers were European ad Chinese tourists.

Maquirang said another cruise ship, the MS Europa is also expected to arrive in Boracay on the last week of January.

Both cruise ships consider Boracay as among their regular ports of call.

Biz group to make travel guide

 Boracay Foundation, Inc. (BFI) is coming up with a comprehensive travel guide as part of its effort in promoting this resort island.
Raffy Cooper, BFI officer, said the travel guide in the form of a book will be distributed in various international events this year.
“Although the travel advisory issued by China last September has adversely affected business in Boracay, this should be an opportunity for us to reinvigorate efforts in other markets in other regions of the globe,” Cooper said.
Among the information that would be included in the book includes topics on people and culture, weather and climate, geography, getting there, important contact numbers, basic language, visa and passport information, banking and currency, among others.
Among the global events where Boracay will be promoted includes China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market on April 14 to 16, 2015 (Beijing); World Travel Fair, May 8 to 10, 2015 (Shanghai Exhibition Center); JATA Travel Showcase, September 2015 (Tokyo, Japan); ITB Asia, Oct. 29 to 31, 2015 (Marina Bay Sands, Singapore); World Travel Market Nov. 2 to 5, 2015 (ExCel, London); Philippine Sales Mission to Korea, November 2015 (Busan & Seoul); ITB Berlin, March 4 to 8, 2015 (Berlin, Germany); Cruise Shipping Asia; Miami US Tour and the APEC Trade Ministers Senior Official Meeting (Boracay).

PNP bags 59 local, foreign criminals in Boracay in 2014

The Boracay Philippines National Police have arrested 59 foreign and local wanted criminals in this resort island in 2014.

PO3 Christopher Mendoza, information officer of the Boracay Tourists Assistance Center (BTAC) of the PNP, said that at least 24 foreigners of different nationalities had been arrested in the year 2014.

Around 35 Filipino wanted persons coming from different provinces were also arrested. The Boracay PNP made the arrests in coordination with different international and provincial police organizations.

"The wanted foreigners arrested include a Russian for the crime of Acts of Lasciviousness and a South Korean for the crime of rape," Mendoza said.

The Boracay PNP also included in its report the arrest of a hotel guard Daniel Celestino in Laguna. Celestino is considered a prime suspect in the killing of an aeta spokesman here in February 2013.

Celestino, before his arrest, was considered number 2 most wanted in Boracay. Other arrested local most wanted persons included Melba Bulabos Boyles for 35 counts of Qualified Theft; Jun Solis Magbanua for the crimes of murder and rape by sexual assault in relation to R.A.7610 respectively; Rank No. 4 Daisy Suacillo Dalisay for the crime of estafa and Rank No. 11 Jicky Belon Ambito for the crime of qualified theft.

Mendoza also said that the Boracay PNP had helped in the arrests of 41 persons including two female Taiwanese tour guides in separate drug operations.

Typhoons. Chinese Travel Ban misses Boracay target

 This resort island has missed its target for the second year because of weather disturbance and the recent China travel ban in the Philippines.

Niven Maquirang, Boracay jetty port administrator said that based on their official records around 1, 472, 352 foreign and local tourists visited this resort island this year.

It could be recalled that the Chinese government had temporarily called for a travel ban in the Philippines following the abduction of a Chinese teenager in Zamboanga in October. Reports from the Department of Tourism revealed that the Boracay tourism industry had loss around P500 million over the said Chinese travel ban.

"The recent typhoon Ruby and Seniang has also affected the tourism industry of Boracay," Maquirang told Xinhua News Agency.

The 2014 data revealed the top ten foreign tourists arrivals includes South Koreans which registered 263, 377; China, 165, 243; Taiwan, 48, 354; USA, 22, 203; Malaysia, 19, 452; Singapore, 18, 175; Russia, 17, 945; Australia, 17, 649; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 11, 136 and the United Kingdom, 10, 549.

In 2013, the jetty port which is under the Aklan Provincial Government had also targeted 1.5 million tourists but it missed the target following the onslaught of Super typhoon 'Haiyan' in November. Boracay has registered 1, 367, 767 foreign and local tourists.

"For 2015, we are targeting 1.6 million tourists for Boracay," said Maquirang.

For this year, Boracay will be hosting at least two conferences for the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC). At least 16 Cruise Ships is also expected to dock in Boracay this year.