Helping curb HIV/AIDS

The tourism sector in Aklan is being urged to help curb the rising cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the province.

Debbie Villaflor, HIV/AIDS coordinator of the Aklan Provincial Health Office, said the tourism sector must participate in its “Getting to Zero” campaign.

Based on latest data, there are 83 HIV/AIDS in the 17 towns of Aklan, including at world-famous beach destination of Boracay Island.

Villaflor said the tourism industry needs to be re-oriented on HIV/AIDS.

MISS USA WINS MISS EARTH SWIMSUIT TILT

Miss USA Carrin Stellakis won the swimsuit event in this year's Miss Earth competition held in this resort island Oct. 21.

For this group 2 competition, Alexandra Cherepanova (Miss Russia) reaped the silver medal while Colombia's Michelle Gomez clinched the bronze.

Special awards went to Klaudia Parsberg of Denmark who romped away as Miss Boracay Body while Sweden's Cloie Syquia Skarne was named Miss Movenpick Resort.

Around 25 candidates out of 90 finalists joined the competition held in this resort island.

Themed "Climate Change through Rethink, Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and Respect (5Rs)," this year’s Miss Earth pageant will be aired on StarWorld for Asia and Middle East, MVS/Uno TV, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and USA and other participating countries.

Pageant night will be held on Oct. 29.

Help desks now established in jetty port

 A help desk has now been set up at both the Caticlan and Cagban Jetty ports to assist tourists coming for the long weekend.

Niven Maquirang, jetty port administrator, said they expect the influx of tourists in time for the long weekend brought about by the observance of both the All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

The help desk is composed of operatives coming from the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Army and a medical team.

"Aside from the tourists coming to and from Boracay, we also anticipate the surge of the passengers coming to the jetty port via roll on roll off transport," he said.

The features of the help desk include immediate medical assistance, guides for tourists, and security concerns, among others.

Aklan police on red alert for Miss Earth candidates' visit

The Aklan Provincial Police  Office will impose a maximum red alert status in anticipation of the visit of 30 Miss Earth Candidates here on October 1.

The Miss Earth finalists are expected to lead a series of environmental advocacy activities in several eco-tourism site in the province.

These include the planting of mangroves at the Bakhawan Eco Park in Barangay Old Buswang, Kalibo and the beach clean up in Boracay Island.

A swimsuit and resort wear competition will also be held at the Movenpick Resort and Spa-Boracay.

The coming of Miss Earth Candidates is expected to boost the tourism industry of the province of Aklan,

Miss Philippines Earth Imelda Bautista Schweighart, a German-Filipina model will join the trip.