Fire hits Boracay

A FIRE damaged several commercial establishments in Boracay Island Friday afternoon, March 29.

Senior Fire Officer 1 Ricky Domingo, chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) intelligence division, said the fire broke out around 2 p.m. and it was put under control an hour after.

"The fire incident reaches second alarm, which means that all available fire station in the adjacent areas should respond," said Domingo.

The area hit was located in front of the Citymall.

Domingo said the BFP is still conducting an investigation to determine the amount of damage caused by the fire.

Last February, a fire also broke out in a residential area in Bulabog beach.

"For this month of March, as we commemorate the Fire Prevention Month, we recorded five fire incidents in the different municipalities of Aklan, including in this resort island," Domingo said.

In the fire incidents recorded, at least one person died: Celedonio Beltran, 84, of Barangay Agmalig, Libacao, Aklan.

Domingo said the incident happened March 26, when a grassfire hit Libacao town.

Villar urged barangays to be disaster resilient

BORACAY Island -- Senator Cynthia Villar urges barangay officials of Cebu to become barangay resilient as the Philippines is considered one of the vulnerable countries in the world in terms of disaster.

This was the gist of the message given by the senator during the 2019 Cebu Provincial Liga Congress held at the Paradise Garden and Convention Center Thursday morning, March 21.

This year’s theme was “Environmental Rehabilitation and Preservation: A Step towards a Resilient, Livable and Sustainable Barangay.”

“The Philippines experiences at least 20 typhoons annually. Some of them were destructive such as Typhoons Ondoy and Yolanda. The barangay is in the front line of disasters. Barangay officials can do simple steps to help preserve the environment,” she said.

Among these simple steps include planting both mangroves and or bamboo.

She also encourages the use of compost pit that produces organic fertilizer.

“Almost a 100th percent of barangays with mangroves plantation has survived the destruction of strong typhoons. Bamboos can also be used as a cheaper source of building houses and chairs,” she added as chair of the committees on agriculture, food security including environment.

Villar also added that while many farmers in the barangays are worried over the soil degradation, she said she received a report from the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization that compost pit is the simple solution.

“The Bureau of Soil is giving out free equipment for compost pit. All the barangays should do is to request by writing a letter,” she said.

For his part, Celestino Martinez III, Liga ng Barangay President Visayas (Cebu City) said the barangay officials in Cebu has chosen Boracay Island as their venue as a model for rehabilitation.

“There are also many tourism areas in Cebu which also has concerns on environmental conservation. We are looking Boracay as a model for environmental sustainability,” he said.

The convention was participated by around 600 officials coming from the different barangays of Cebu.

Legarda Tells French Senators: Boracay Rehab Example of Political Will

Senator Loren Legarda shared with visiting French senators the government’s successful efforts to rehabilitate the island of Boracay, stressing that political will to implement laws was key to its success.



On behalf of the Philippine Senate, Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and President and Founding Member of the Philippines-France Parliamentary Association, hosted a delegation of French senators in Boracay on March 2. The French delegation was composed of Senators Jacky Deromedi, Simon Sutour, Philippe Mouiller, and Jerome Durain.



“I am proud to share with fellow parliamentarians from France the successful story of the rehabilitation of one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations. The story of Boracay Island is an example of how our laws are effective if leaders in the Executive have the political will to implement what we legislate,” said Legarda.


The French senators were briefed by Boracay Inter-agency Rehabilitation Management Group General Manager Natividad Bernardino, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Asec. Manuel Felix, and Department of Tourism (DOT) Usec. Arturo Boncato on the changes that were implemented for the 6-month intensive rehabilitation of the island last year.

 Legarda said that among the steps taken for the Boracay Island rehabilitation include water quality testing and improvement, removal of structures, banning of pets and smoking, banning of single-use plastic and plastic bottles, proper disposal of liquid and solid waste, mangrove and seagrass reforestation, the improvement of biodiversity and wetlands, implementation of carrying capacity, and implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law, which Legarda authored.

 “Boracay’s successful rehabilitation is an example of political will, strong leadership, and cooperation among stakeholders. It is still a work in progress and much still has to be done, but it is a good start. Vigilance in the implementation of environmental laws is important,” said Legarda.

 “Our government is taking action to do the same in other beach and tourist destinations in the country, including the Manila Bay. Aside from the strict enforcement of our environmental laws, we also need everyone’s cooperation. There needs to be a change in the mindset of our citizens. We must all realize the importance of sustainable development and embrace our responsibility as stewards of our natural resources,” Legarda concluded.***

Boracay front beach placed under disciplined zone

THE front beach of one of the resorts in Boracay Island, Malay Aklan has been placed under the disciplined zone.

Police Superintendent Antonio Dizon, chief of the Malay Philippine National Police, said that the disciplined zone is meant to encourage tourists and residents to strictly abide with the existing laws both in the national and local level.

The discipline zone through the Boracay Enhanced Security Strategy and Tactics (Besst) was launched at the beach of Casa Pilar Resort on Thursday morning, February 21.

“Each tourists and residents found violating several ordinances would be given citation tickets by the government enforcers,” he said.

Government enforcers under the Besst program also includes operatives coming from the Malay Auxiliary Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines, among others.

Among the laws to be strictly implemented is no fire dancing, no littering, no urinating nor defecating, no extraction of sand and pebbles, no vendors and peddling, among others.

Inday Loren Receives Datu Sumakwel Award from Antiqueños

Senator Inday Loren Legarda recently received the “Datu Sumakwel Award”, the highest recognition conferred by the Bugal Kang Antique Awards held at Eagle’s Hotel in San Jose, Antique.


The Datu Sumakwel Award is given to an Antiqueño or juridical persons in recognition of their service for the development of Antique.

Legarda, who was nominated by Antique Vice Governor Edgar D. Denosta, was conferred the highest award for her outstanding accomplishment in the fields of Governance and Public Service, Arts and Culture, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Environmental Protection.

“I strongly believe that she encompasses the epitome of a true Antiqueño public servant for all her numerous outstanding achievements and invaluable contributions not only to the progress and development of Antique, but also to our country, and the world,” said Denosta in his nomination letter.


Legarda, a three-term Antiqueña Senator who chairs the Senate Committees on Finance, Foreign Relations and Climate Change,  is a known environmental advocate, a women and children’s rights champion, and an arts and culture advocate. She has authored many of the country’s landmark laws in her 20 years as senator and has been recognized many times nationally and globally.


In her acceptance speech, Legarda thanked her fellow Antiqueños for supporting her in the programs she has been providing the province and assured them that she will lead Antique towards progress.


“Antique’s progress is unstoppable. Now, our dream of seeing Antique rise and be great, if not greater than our sister provinces, will come into fruition because we can do it, we have the means and we should have the strong will to turn our dreams into reality,” said Legarda.


“While I am humbled to be recognized as a pride of Antique, I dare say that we should all strive to be Antique’s pride, which is not measured by any award but by the passion and heart to serve our people and our province,” she stressed.


Legarda is a child of Antique. Her maternal grandmother, Carmen Gella Bautista, is from Pandan. Her great grandfather, Ariston Gella, was the first pharmacist of the province and a member of the Malolos Congress that crafted the first Philippine Constitution. Her great grandunlce, Vicente Gella, opened the first and only secondary school in Antique during the Spanish period and became Governor of the province. Pedro Gella was a Mayor of Sibalom, while Bartolome Gella was head of the Army’s Medical Corps during the revolution.


In the past few years, Legarda has brought the much needed support for Antique with the goal of not only being on a par with neighboring provinces but also to uplift the lives of her kasimanwas.


She has provided programs for livelihood and additional support for fisherfolks, farmers, weavers, artisans, homemakers, and micro, small and medium enterprises; for quality and free education up to tertiary level through the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education law which she authored; and for medical assistance especially to indigents in all government hospitals and the upgrading and improvement of hospitals and rural health units.


She has ensured that infrastructure projects are in place, even reviving the airport in San Jose and bringing back Philippine Airlines flights to Antique. At the same time, she is also able to greatly contribute in protecting the environment and promoting Antique’s culture and heritage. The construction of the Pandan Arboretum and Eco-Park, the Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Rehabilitation Program, the Sibalom Natural Park Conservation and EcoTourism Development, the restoration of the Gabaldon School Buildings, and the establishment of Kinaray-a Center and language marker for Kinaray-a are some of her projects dedicated to preserving the beautiful culture, heritage, and environment of Antique.

Legarda Sees Boost in Trade and Tourism with Antique Airport Improvement, PAL Direct Flights

Senator Loren Legarda today said that the improvement of Antique airport and the Philippine Airlines' (PAL) direct flights to Antique will spur local economy as it will boost trade and tourism.



“Today, as we welcome the inaugural flight of Philippine Airlines in our newly renovated airport, I can proudly say that: Antique’s progress is unstoppable,” said Legarda in a speech read by Governor Rhodora Cadiao during the inaugural flight of PAL to Antique airport.



“We are ready to welcome more tourists in our province and we are excited to share our products to more Filipinos and tourists outside the province. Our expanded and upgraded airport will be our gateway and PAL will be our partner in this endeavor,” she added.



It was through Legarda's efforts that PAL is now servicing direct flights to Antique.



Starting December 16, PAL Express flies to Antique twice a week, on Sundays and Tuesdays. It will depart from Clark International Airport at 6:00am and arrive at Antique Airport in San Jose de Buenavista at 7:20am. Return flight leaves Antique Airport at 7:40am and arrives in Clark International Airport at 9:00am.



“Antique has so much potential for growth. This is just the beginning of many more successes for our beloved province,” Legarda concluded.

Boracay business group may retract opposition to cruise ship operators

The Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) is reviewing its earlier position on cruise ships making a beeline to this resort island.

BFI President Maylynn A. Graf said the business organization has been opposing the cruise ship industry after authorities cited Boracay’s environmental degradation.

Graf noted cruise ships included Boracay as a stop after Aklan Gov. Florencio T. Miraflores signed in 2015 a memorandum of understanding with the Miami, Florida-headquartered Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

“Right now, since Boracay is already environmentally safe, we are considering to support the cruise ship tourism. We are, however, still studying if we could officially support it,” Graf said.

Graf said BFI’s review comes after Boracay was reopened to tourists on October 26, six months after it was closed for rehabilitation. She also noted reports saying a cruise ship will be arriving in Boracay on December 18 bringing some 3,000 tourists.

Earlier, Niven Maquirang, Caticlan and Cagban jetty port administrator, said they are expecting some 28 cruise ship port calls at Boracay next year.