Boracay targets 1.5m tourists in 2013

The Aklan provincial government hoped to reach 1.5 million tourists arrival in this resort island in 2013.
Niven Maquirang, Aklan Jetty Port administrator also expressed his confidence that Boracay may likely to have 1.3 million tourists before the year ends.
"As early as October, a Korean national was registered as the one millionth tourist. The one million target for 2012 was already realized this early," he said.
"With the increasing trend in number of tourists coming here, we are confident that we could reach have 1.5 million tourists next year," Maquirang said.
Meanwhile, reports from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said Boracay was chosen as the venue for the Asian Games Centennial Festival which will be held in November 2013.
The event is in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Far Eastern Championship which was first held in Manila on 1913.

Boracay residents urged to embrace 'Gangnam Style'

"Gangnam Style" fever has infected Boracay as Korean tourists continue to be the top foreign visitors to this resort island, a tourism official here said on Wednesday.
Residents, tourism stakeholders, frontliners in this resort island were urged to learn and appreciate the culture and dialect of South Koreans in a bid to attract more visitors from that country.
"Gangnam Style" is the iconic song of South Korean singer and rapper Park Jae Sang more popularly known as Psy which depicts the lifestyle of people living in Seoul's most posh district. The song's music video has become the most viewed on YouTube with 824 hits since it was released earlier this year.
Tim Ticar of the Department of Tourism-Boracay said on Wednesday that this was the gist of the message of the two-day seminar held in the island from Nov.26-27.
The said conference was supported by the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) National Tourism Organization and participated by the Human Resources Developments.
"Participants were provided lectures and film viewing on the appreciation of culture, dialect of Koreans including their lifestyle so that we in the tourism sector would understand them," Ticar said.
No figures were provided as to how many South Koreans have visited the island this year. 

Globe's boosts 'Its More Fun in the Philippines' campaign

The Globe Telecom said it is boosting the campaign of the Department of Tourism (DOT) "It's More Fun in the Philippines" as it intensifies network coverage in this resort island using state-of-the-art technologies.
Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO in a press conference here Tuesday afternoon, said that with these developments they are committed to become the best telecommunications company in Asia.
"We are strengthening our capability in tourism areas such as Boracay and in Palawan as we noted that tourists especially domestics immediately posts to social networking sites sharing their fun experiences," Cu said.
The strengthened network makes it convenient for visitors to posts their fun while in Boracay, Palawan and in other tourist spots.
For his part, Chief Executive Officer and Country Manager Li Wei of Huawei Technologies said that he agrees with the fun slogan of the DOT saying that it is healthy investing in Boracay.
This resort island recently noted a one million tourist arrivals for this year and the number is increasing.
The Globe Telecom executives visited this resort island announcing its achieved major milestone in its nationwide network modernization by successfully interconnecting Boracay through fiber optics.

Boracay resort plans to revive the dwindling giant clams

The controversial West Cove Resort in this resort island planned to revive the giant clams.
Ben Mobo, manager of the West Cove, said their resort recognized the disappearance of the giant clams known in Tagalog as "taklubo."
The West Cove Resort became controversial after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered the demolition of its extension due to alleged environmental issues. The management has been denying the concerns and maintained that it did not violate any environmental law.
"We hired a group of marine scientists from University of the Philippines (UP) to research on how we could ensure environmental protection in our resort," Mobo said.
"They noted that before we built our structures in Boracay, the giant clams have been already disappearing due to human activity. and so we are planning to invest and take responsibility in reviving it. These giant clams are serving as natural filters for Boracay for years," Mobo said.
Boracay residents reportedly collected the giant clams and use them to their new built house in order to ward off evil spirits. Some of the residents also gave giant clams as gifts to visitors coming to this resort island.
"The marine scientists also volunteered to train local residents on how to take care of these giant clams," Mobo added.
The management said each "taklobo" costs P5,000 to be replanted.

Globe Strengthens Its Boracay Network

Globe Telecom has interconnected Boracay through fiber optics, strengthening its network coverage in one of country's top tourist destination. 

The telco linked up the island via the Boracay Submarine Cable System, a two-kilometer fiber optic cable which transmits 80 wavelengths of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing or DWDM systems.

The cable has "near to limitless transmission capacity" of 40 gigabytes per second (GBPS) per wavelength, expandable to 100 GBPS for a "crystal-clear voice call and superfast surfing," according to Robert Tan, Globe's Chief Technical Adviser. 

"This submarine cable system will provide Globe a future-proof infrastructure, along with those for the entire archipelago, ready for the next generation communication technology," he explained after spearheading the cable's landing from Caticlan in the town of Malay, Antique to Boracay. 

"It's a major milestone for Globe as we have powered up our cell sites with 3G and HSPA+ connectivity," Tan added. 

"Finishing our optical fiber systems highway to Boracay is a significant part of building our brand-new network," stressed Globe President and CEO Ernest L. Cu. Definitely, It will benefit tourism economics and activities in the island. 

Already, Globe has completed 60-percent of its network modernization "in record time" he remarked. 

The telco intends to fully transform its network throughout the archipelago, servicing far-flung locations and creating seamless coverage by the first quarter of 2013. (EVA)

Residents urged to make Christmas tree out of recycled materials

The management of the material recovery facility (MRF) in Barangay Balabag here urged residents to create Christmas tree out of recycled materials this Yuletide season.
Dana Sacapano, caretaker of the MRF facility here, said that they expect more wastes to be dumped at the MRF this Christmas. To minimize the dumping of wastes, local residents should help through recycling.
"It will surely be a big help to our collection of garbage if local residents will use recycled materials in making Christmas decorations," Sacapano said.
In regular days, the MRF facility here collects 18 tons of garbage daily. Those that could not be recycled were being transported to a dumpsite in nearby Malay, Aklan.
For several years, the local government of Malay has been organizing lantern making from recycled materials contests that were being exhibited at the Balabag Public Plaza. 

Uniform tariff for sea sports activities mulled in Boracay Island

The local government of Malay will soon implement a uniform tariff for various sea sports activities in Boracay Island.
Island administrator Glen Sacapano said this developed after they received numerous complaints from tourists that they are being charged expensively by sea sports "commissioners."
Often, "commissioners" leave them alone as soon as they get the usually excessive payment from tourists wanting to experience sea sports.
"Commissioners" here are referred to as freelance agents of different sea sports operators and is given a fee by every client tourist.
"These gave a bad impression to Boracay as a fun destination in the country. The local government wants to regulate sea sports activities to prevent both foreign and tourists from being duped," Sacapano said.
By implementing the tariff, he said this would lawfully control sea sports operators to implement a uniform set of rates to their clients.
Among the popular sea sports activities here are diving, snorkeling, helmet diving, banana boat, and island hopping, among others. 

Rise in potable water consumption worries Boracay water agency

The Boracay Island Water Company(BIWC)is racing against time to ensure enough supply of potable water for both residents and tourists whose number is projected to reach 1.2 million.
Blanca Eunicia Aldaba, costumer service officer of the BIWC, said that their earlier projection is for the potable water supply in this resort island to last until 2016.
"Based on our earlier study, we had consumed ten percent of the over-all water supply in Nabaoy River in mainland Malay," Aldaba said.
But the recent recognition of Boracay as the best beach in the world by an international magazine and projected one million visitors alarmed BWIC.
"With the growing tourism industry, we expect a 15 percent additional water consumption for 2013. Right now, we undertake a new study to determine the long-term viability of the water supply," Aldaba explained.
But while a new study is being undertaken, the BIWC an affiliate of the Manila Water Company is undergoing tree planting and protection of the Nabaoy River, the main source of potable water supply here.
"While we are concern with the possible water shortage in the future, we encourage tourists not to buy mineral or distilled waters if they are in Boracay. We urged them to use our water instead being supplied to their respective resorts as we guarantee that our water is safe and the supply is still much. Buying mineral water bottles added to garbage problem which leads to environmental degradation," she added.

Tricycles to be phased out in Boracay by 2015

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay, Aklan- The local government of Malay, Aklan is planning to phase out the operation of tricycles in this resort island by 2015.
Councilor Dante Pagsuguiron, chairman of the Committee on Environment of the Malay Sanggunian, said the approval of the said local legislation is on its final stage.
"We are phasing out the operation of tricycles and we will be replacing it with the operation of electronic tricycles (e-trikes). Already, the local government has ordered from the Department of Energy (DOE) 100 units of e-trikes to be distributed among the drivers through loan," Pagsuguiron said.
Aside from the hundred units of e-trikes to be provided by the local government, another 100 units have also been requested by the Boracay Land Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative from the DOE.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is currently helping also the study for the possible financing of units by the drivers. Aside from the financing, the contractor is also reportedly interested in battery-swapping scheme.
Last year, some ten e-trike units have already been given go-signal by the local government to operate as model showcase for the drivers.
"We are phasing out tricycles because they cause pollution in Boracay while the use of e-trikes is being considered environment friendly. We are also requesting resorts to use electronics in their transports," he added.
The local government of Malay has registered some 550 tricycles operating in this resort island.

DFA assessing Boracay as possible venue for 2015 APEC

A team headed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is in this resort island for a week-long survey and assessment in preparation for the Philippines hosting of the leaders meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2015.
The DFA earlier announced that it is looking at Boracay Island as the possible venue for the APEC conference.
Municipal councilor Dante Pagsuguiron said Monday that accompanying the team are government security officials in assessing available infrastructure and facilities for the possible hosting of the conference.
The team also met with the local government officials.
"We do not know yet the response of the visiting team but we are confident that they will provide a positive feedback on their visit," said Pagsuguiron.
The inspection is expected to end Wednesday.
Leaders of the 21 APEC member economies that include the Philippines met in Vladivostok, Russia last September to discuss ways for regional development focused on trade and investment liberalization, regional economic integration, food security, supply chains and cooperation to foster innovative growth.
The APEC region accounts for approximately 40 percent of the world’s population, 57 percent of world GDP and 48 percent of global trade.

Environmental journalists to do investigative works in Boracay

Ten environmental journalists in the country are expected to conduct investigative reporting in this resort island as part of their fellowship program.
The journalists coming from different media organizations are fellows of Environmental Investigative Reporting Fellowship supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF).
"The Boracay visit is part of the fellows' commitment for their year-long practice on investigative reporting in the country," said Imelda Abano, the first Filipina board of director of the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ).
While in Boracay, they are expected to visit the Ati village, meet with the local government, Boracay Foundation Incorporated among others to explore the success of the Boracay Beach Management Program (BBMP); a visit with the Material Recovery Facility (MRF); a visit with the controversial West Cove Resort among others.
"The fellows have chosen Boracay as one of their areas of coverage for their fellowship," said Abano. 

Boracay Aetas to attend conference on peace, land rights

Tribal community in this resort island has confirmed attendance to the national conference on Peace and Land Rights to be held at the University of the Philippines from November 14 to 15.
Rebecca Lozada, national coordinator of the Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court (PCICC) said that the national conference aims to strengthen the national discourse and policy advocacy on land rights issues in several areas in the country.
Also joining the conference are Commission on Human Rights chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales, Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio Delos Reyes and Zenaida Brigida Hamada of the National Commission on Indigenous Persons (NCIP).
The Boracay tribal community will be represented by its tribal leader Delsa Justo of the Boracay Ati Tribal Orgtanization (BATO).

Lozada said that PCICC is an organization of human rights organizations and advocates established in 2000 to support the ratification and implementation of the Roman Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Carolers banned in Boracay

The local government of Malay prohibits the public from conducting caroling anywhere in Boracay island this yuletide season.
Island administrator Glenn Sacapano said that for years this resort island had been flooded by carolers, but this year they will be prohibited for the safety of everyone.
"If anybody knows of any caroling activity in this resort island, they should immediately report it to their nearest barangay so that we could determine their identities. We do not know if the carolers coming might endanger the safety of both the residents and tourists in this resort island," said Sacapano Tuesday.
The carolers will be inspected by the village officials in partnership with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.
Sacapano said, aside from caroling, people asking for donations from residents of Boracay will also be questioned.