‘Boracay coliform up’

Coliform bacteria levels in the waters of the world-famous Boracay Island were reported to have elevated.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago wanted the Senate to investigate the phenomenon.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) warned about the high coliform levels in Boracay, specifically at the Bulabog Beach.

According to the EMB, the levels reached 47,460 most probable number (mpn) per 100 milliliter.

Coliform levels must not exceed 1,000 mpn per 100 ml for a body of water to be considered safe for swimming, the EMB reported.

Coliform bacteria are found mainly in human and animal waste, soil, and vegetation, the water-testing facility CNA Environmental said.

“DENR-EMB attributed the high level of coliform to domestic waste coming from residential and commercial establishments that fail to connect to sewer lines,” Santiago said in Resolution No. 1195, which seeks the Senate investigation.

The Ilonggo senator said the waste thus “go directly to drainage canals and empty into the coastal water.”

She urged the local government units concerned to strictly implement the “no discharge permit, no business permit” policy to compel business establishments to connect to the Boracay Island Water Company sewerage system.

“It is imperative for the government to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the waters of Boracay,” said Santiago. The island “contributes immensely to the country’s tourism revenues,” she said.

Santiago also cited Article 2, Section 16 of the Constitution, which provides that “the State shall protect and promote the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”

Bulabog Beach is at the back portion of Boracay. The main attraction in the island resort is the White Beach.

It is at Bulabog Beach that several sports activities, including kiteboarding and windsurfing, are being held.

Meanwhile, the municipal government of Malay, which has jurisdiction over Boracay, sought to be enlightened on the DENR-EMB report.

Malay councilor Rowen Aguirre, chair of the municipal council committee on environment, said they do not want to make the tourists worry.

“Tourists should still enjoy frolicking and swimming (in Boracay),” said Aguirre. “We acknowledge the experts’ warning that coliform (at the Bulabog Beach) may spread to the (White Beach) if we do not act promptly.”

The Malay municipal government is currently coordinating with the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority to put up more drainage systems in the island. 

Tourist arrivals seen to peak this summer

 Aklan is anticipating tourist arrivals here to peak this summer, what with the national and international events that the island resort will host.
Thousands of tourists, mostly foreigners, are expected to flock to Boracay starting next month.
The provincial government is now coordinating with several government agencies in preparation for the “super influx” of visitors, said Gov. Florencio Miraflores.
A cruise ship under the Seabourne Cruise Line will arrive on March 6. Rich families and celebrities will reportedly be onboard.
The last week of March may also see crowds upon crowds of excursionists heading to Boracay for their Holy Week vacation.
“Also sometime this March we anticipate the arrival of 11 chief justices from Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) for a meeting at the Shangrila Resort-Boracay,” said Miraflores.
It was learned that the chief justices will discuss the legal frameworks of the Asean economic integration.
In May Boracay will host two Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit ministerial meetings.
The Malay municipal government, which has jurisdiction over the world-famous island resort, is helping the provincial government gear up for the two events.
Policemen aim to have a zero crime rate during the said events.

Cruise ship with celebrities on board expected to arrive in Boracay

A cruise ship arriving on March 6 in this resort island reportedly has celebrities on board.

Jean Pontero of the Caticlan Jetty Port said that they are now starting the preparation for the anticipated arrival of a cruise ship owned by the Seabourn Cruise Line Limited.

"It has 450 passengers and 335 crews composed of different nationalities. The cruise ship is named Seabourn Sojourn," said Pontero.

The cruise ship is set to arrive 10 a.m. from Metro Manila. It is expected to leave Boracay 6 p.m. of the same day. It will be the fourth cruise ship to visit Boracay this year.

A report said the said ship has 10 decks.

Meanwhile, because of the effort to make Boracay a cruise ship destination, the Aklan provincial government has requested the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to finance the purchase of a pontoon.

The pontoon reportedly is worth P18 million and will provide cruise ship passengers convenient access while the cruise ship docks. The Aklan provincial government does not have funds for the said bridge.

Special lane at Caticlan Jetty Port mulled for Boracay-bound workers

A special lane for construction workers and resort employees in this resort island has been proposed at the Caticlan Jetty Port.

Most of the workers often travel by boats daily because of the expensive boarding houses in this resort island. Available accommodations for workers are also limited.

Niven Maquirang, jetty port administrator, said that they are planning to put up a priority lane for workers at the Caticlan Jetty Port.

Also, the Caticlan Boracay Transportation Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC) is planning to provide P5 discounts for workers.

The CBTMPC is also planning to provide discounted rates for workers on their public transport L300 vehicles plying the Kalibo-Caticlan and vice versa routes.

Enough food in Boracay assured

Fish may be scarce, but food supply is sufficient in Boracay during the summer season, said the Provincial Agriculture Office.
William Castillo, provincial agriculturist, said the scarcity in the supply of fish is due to the Amihan season.
“But we have enough agricultural products for tourists bound to Boracay,” he said.
Most of the agricultural products here were exported from Iloilo, Davao and Baguio, among others.
Castillo also urged residents here to continuously grow agricultural products due to the increasing number of tourists that visit the province.
This year, Boracay braces for a huge influx of tourists and visitors. It will also be a venue for APEC ministerial meetings.
In addition, at least 15 cruise ships from all over the world will dock in this island paradise this year./

PCG mulls tighter Boracay security for APEC meet

 The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is likely to send a ship to augment security forces when this island hosts one of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit meetings this April.
Lieutenant Jimmy Oliver Vingno, Caticlan-PCG chief, said the agency will also send augmentation from Manila to increase the number of its personnel here in time for the APEC.
APEC is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim member economies. It seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation.
Aside from the PCG, other government law enforcement agencies such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police are also expected to send augmentation personnel.
APEC VIPs coming are expected to bring their respective families here for vacation.
Earlier reports indicated that the United States of America will be sending trained dogs to help in the security preparations.
APEC’s 21 member economies are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, China; Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United States of America and Vietnam.
APEC was established in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the advent of regional trade blocs in other parts of the world; to fears that highly industrialized Japan (a member of G8) would come to dominate economic activity in the Asia-Pacific region; and to establish new markets for agricultural products and raw materials beyond Europe (where demand had been declining)./

DOT, Aklan undertake road beautification program in preparation for APEC

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Aklan Provincial Government have joined hands to beautify Aklan roads leading to the venue of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) this April.

Miraflores said the DOT has earmarked P500,000 as funding support for the beautification program. The program involved 45 barangays in seven towns.

Based on the meeting held last week, barangays from the Kalibo International Airport (KIA) towards Caticlan, Malay plans to set up flaglets along the national highways. The barangays will be using APEC colors in April.

Aside from the flaglets, barangay officials are also committed to ensure the cleanliness of the national highways and road congestion free.

It was gathered that members of the APEC National Organizing Committee will be coming here February 25 to discuss possible preparations for APEC.

Bigger cruise ships to dock in Boracay

The Wallem Philippines Shipping Incorporated plans to invite bigger cruise ships to dock in this resort island.

Maricel Manansala, assistant operations manager of Tramp Agency Division of Wallem, said this is the trend of cruise ship tourism around the world.

The Wallem Shipping is a partner of the Department of Tourism and the Aklan provincial government in promoting this resort island as a cruise ship haven in South East Asia.

Manansala was here Tuesday to welcome the arrival of the MS Century Celebrity, the leading cruise ship of the Celebrity Cruises.

The Wallem Philippines served as the agent of MS Celebrity Century's docking in the country.

Aside from the MS Celebrity Century, the Wallem Philippines is also set to welcome four more cruise ships to Boracay this year.

"The MS Celebrity Century carries 1, 835 passengers mostly European tourists and 837 crews," said Manansala.

The MS Celebrity Century is a 71, 545 gross tonnage ship. The said ship plans to travel 77 ports in 32 countries this year.