(photo courtesy of RB Bachiller/BFRAV)

2 fire incidents hit Boracay

AT LEAST two fire incidents have been recorded in Boracay Island since Sunday afternoon, April 28.

RB Bachiller, of the Boracay Fire, Rescue and Volunteers Incorporated (BFRAV), said they first responded to a fire incident at the former sanitary landfill in the island. 

"The fire started around 4:40 in the afternoon. It took us eight hours to extinguish the fire as it is considered a rubbish fire," Bachiller said.

Aside from the BFRAV, the Bureau of Fire-Boracay, the Mio Riders Associations and from other resorts and volunteer organizations also responded to the area.

Sources said the rubbish fire may have been caused by the ongoing El Niño phenomenon.

Few hours after battling the blaze, the BFRAV personnel then responded to a fire in Sitio Bantud.

No one was reported injured or killed in the two incidents.

The Bureau of Fire Protection is currently investigating what caused the blaze.

Chinese tour operators to respect PH environmental laws

The Department of Tourism (DOT) urged travel tour operators in China to respect environmental laws as they are being urged to explore different tourism destinations.

In a press conference here Friday afternoon, DOT Secretary Bernadette Puyat said that she was part of the delegation of the recent visit with President Rodrigo Duterte in China. 

“In my visit, I have met with different tour operators and urged them to tell their respective clients to adhere to environmental laws,” she said.

Earlier, the local government of Malay has reported that Chinese were the top violator of local laws, many of whom were environment related.

Since January 2019, some 739 Chinese tourists have been apprehended for violating ordinances which include bar anti-smoking, littering, and eating on the beach, among others.

Korean tourists had the second highest number of violations with 277, while Filipino tourists incurred 92 violations.

Puyat said that they are expecting an influx of Chinese tourists in the coming months also because of the reported friendships between President Duterte and the Chinese government.

“We are also open for all nationalities including domestic tourists to visit other tourism destinations,” she added.

Puyat was here to oversee the one year commemoration of the six months Boracay closure.

Meanwhile, Puyat also said that the DoT now feels vindicated as the tourism industry is now back on track.

“Before the closure, the department of being accused of damaging Boracay hoping to divert tourists to visit other tourism destinations. Now, Boracay is again beautiful because of the ongoing rehabilitation and has once again become a favorite tourism destination in the country,” she said. (

European company donates P5-M green vehicles for Boracay

The Star 8, Green Technology a European company, has donated P5 million worth of green vehicles in this resort island.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu personally accepted the donated vehicles Thursday noon, April 25.

Jacob Maimon, president of Star 8, said the donated vehicles include solar-powered ambulance, boats and three electronic motorcycles.

“The vehicles will be used by the Boracay law enforcement in their day-to-day operations,” Maimon said.

It was learned that the Star 8 has partnered with the Southwest Tours for the maintenance and operation of the vehicles.

Maimon said they are also planning to also soon operate 50-seater solar-powered boats in Boracay.

The Star 8 has a manufacturing plant in Batangas and Subic.

Cimatu was in Boracay to attend to a multi-sectoral meeting in commemoration of the first anniversary of Boracay closure.

Ombudsman fires Malay mayor for neglecting Boracay Island

Mayor Ciceron Cawaling of Malay, Aklan was dismissed yesterday, just hours after he returned to his post from a six-month preventive suspension.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial office served the dismissal order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the administrative complaint filed against Cawaling and 16 other Aklan officials in June last year over Boracay’s environmental woes.

Aside from Cawaling, Municipal Licensing Division head Jen Salsona was also sacked. They were found guilty of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming of a public official, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The dismissal came with forfeiture of retirement benefits and disqualification for re-employment in government office.

Vice Mayor Abram Sualog already took oath as Malay mayor yesterday.

On the other hand, the Ombudsman dismissed for lack of substantial evidence the administrative charge against Gov. Florencio Miraflores, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Valentin Talabero, Sangguniang Bayan members Natalie Cawaling-Paderes, Jupiter Aelred Gallenero, Frolibar Bautista, Lloyd Maming, Dalidig Sumndad, Maylyn Aguirre-Graf, Danilo Delos Santos, and Dante Pagsuguiron, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Edgardo Sancho, and barangay officials Hector Casidsid, Chona Gabay and Lilibeth Sacapaño.

The countercharges for serious dishonesty, grave misconduct and oppression against complainant DILG undersecretary Epimaco Densing III were also dismissed for lack of merit.

Densing filed the complaint against the Aklan officials for allowing the illegal operation of some businesses in Boracay without mayor’s permit, allowing structures in no-build zones such as wetlands, tolerating violations of the easement rules, issuing mayor’s permit without Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from the Bureau of Fire Protection, and other similar violations of laws and regulations. 

‘Perfect’ Boracay still at 70 percent says exec

(Chinese elder tourists enjoys the white beach alongside the local Filipino children in Boracay. (Jun N. Aguirre)

BORACAY Island-- The ongoing rehabilitation of this resort island in order to attain its perfect state is still at 60 to 70 percent at this time says the head of the Boracay Inter Agency Rehabilitation Management Group (BIARMG).

In an interview, Natividad Bernardino who heads the BIARMG said they are currently preparing for the week long anniversary of the Boracay closure on April 26. 

The BIARMG is formerly known as the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force which is being chaired by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu.

“Ever since Boracay reopened six months after in Boracay, the BIARMG is currently monitoring rehabilitation works to include water quality assessment on the beach, road rehabilitation are still currently being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways, among others,” Bernardino said.

The Philippine National Police and the local government of Malay is also coordinating with the BIARMG to soon implement a disciplined zone in all the areas of Boracay.

“There's still much work and things need to be done. As of this time, the Boracay front beach is safe from swimming while we are monitoring the water quality of Bulabog beach and other areas,” she added.

The BIARMG is also now studying the impact of influx of both Chinese businesses and tourists in this resort island. 

YSEALI Panay Hub Launches LintianayKwentuhan Series for Youth Leaders in Boracay

Linte is an infamous Hiligaynon word that has been used across Panay as a swear word! This started long time ago when elders say “nalintian” whenever the lightning strikes a coconut tree. But for the young leaders of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative,it is an opportunity to strike the lightning that will awaken the potential of emerging leaders in Panay and Guimaras Islands.

Launched in 2013, the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is U.S. government’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking among the youth in Southeast Asia. Today YSEALI Philippines is a community of 25,000 young people making a difference in their communities.

In partnership with Boracay Foundation Incorporated, about 50 young leaders around Panay gathered in Boracay Islandto attend the launching of YSEALI Panay’s LintianayKwentuhan Series last April 11 at Seawind Resort Boracay. This first session focused on helping them make impactful youth-led projects in their communities and showcasing anti-plastic pollution projects.

The topics that were discussed by the speakers from the YSEALI community were: Common Mistakes in Community Projects by ShernanGamol, Financing and Fundraising by Jarrah Brillantes, and Using Storytelling and Social Media by Angeli Monique Siladan. This was followed by a panel discussion which was actively participated by these youth leaders who were very enthusiastic to bring home the new knowledge to their communities.

Two projects were also featured: Anti-Plastic Program in Culasi, Antique and the Recycling Program of Balabag Elementary School in Boracay Island. The participants were awed with the partnerships and leadership exhibited to pursue the said projects.

The day ended with networking and establishing partnerships among the participants and the YSEALI programs alumni. The Lintianay sessions also aim to mentor and be an avenue for these young people to collaborate.

Among the 50 leaders, 20 stayed to participate at the YStart Focus Group Discussion on April 12 at Henann Regency Resort& Spa Boracay. YStart is a platform for YSEALI members to promote and crowdsource resources for their community projects.

Coordinator of the YSEALI Panay Hub, Angelica Belarmino, ends this two-day event with these words:

“I hope to invite other young leaders in Aklan especially Boracay Island to join us and continue the conversation beyond these events. We are excited to see the enthusiasm of the young people here to contribute in the betterment of their communities. Truly, we are never too young to lead!”

Sign up as a YSEALI member to access opportunities to participate in fellowships, seminars, and grants at www.yseali.state.gov

Council renews call for Boracay residents to donate blood

The Aklan Blood Coordinating Council (ABCC) has renewed its call for residents of Boracay Island to once again donate blood.

Megs Lunn, president of the ABCC, said Tuesday, April 2, that based on their records, residents of Boracay and of mainland Malay, Aklan have stopped giving blood since 2018.

The year 2018 is considered historic in the resort island of Boracay after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered its six-month closure to pave the way for its rehabilitation.

The ABCC is currently preparing for the recognition of blood donors on April 15. A gala dinner for a cause is being organized to also help raise funds for the upcoming bloodletting activities in the province.

Lunn said that based on the records of both the Philippine Red Cross and the Aklan Provincial Blood Coordinators Office, there are only 122 units of blood from the entire town of Malay, including Boracay.

“The number is only 0.22 percent of around 55,083 residents of Malay,” she said.

The ABCC only needs at least one percent of overall blood donations in every town to have a sufficient supply of blood for those in need.

Blood supplies are usually used by those who figured in accidents, as well as those who need surgical operations.

Of the 17 towns in Aklan, Banga has collected 1,068 units or 2.6 percent out of its total population of 41,079; Tangalan collected 530 units or 2.32 percent with a population of 22,789; Libacao, which had a record of zero collection in the past years, is moving up with a total collection of 447 units or 1.52 percent of its total population of 29,366; Ibajay I and II collected 735 units or 1.41 percent of their population of 51,538; Numancia collected 417 units or 1.26 percent out of its 33,206 total population; Buruanga with 218 units, with a total population of 19,760; Madalag with 208 units from its 19,122 population; and Kalibo 1 and II with 922 units from its 83,816 population.

The municipality of Malinao has collected 1.09 percent out of its 24,118 total population; Lezo has collected 165 units or 1.04 percent of its 15,830 population; and New Washington has collected about 472 units or 1.01 percent out of its 46,800 population.

The towns with fair collections are the following: Altavas with 0.68 percent or 173 units collected, with a total population of 25,600; Nabas has 0.55 percent or 208 units out of its 37,886 total population; Makato has 0.54 percent or 152 collection of blood units out of its 23,248 population; and Baletehas with 0.50 percent or 151 of blood units collected out of its 30,072 total populations. (SunStar Philippines)