Boracay's new officers named

The Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI)has retained Ilongo businessman Henry Chusuey as its chairman during its recent election held here. BFI is considered as the largest business organization in this resort island.

Also Dionisio Salme continued to be the BFI president with other newly elected officers Jose Macavinta as its vice president for internal affairs; Nenette Aguirre Graf, vice president for external affairs; Chip Garcia as vice president for finance; publicist Johnny Dayang as vice president for corporate communication.

Other officers elected are Acs Altava as secretary, Harvey Geelito, treasurer; Bebot Gadon, auditor.

Members of the board are Peter Tay, Commodore Leonard Tirol, En Calvert, Connie Helgen, Mike Labatiao and Jupiter Aelred Gallenero.

The induction ceremony is set on July 18, 2015.

No state of calamity in Boracay

The local government of Malay, Aklan is unlikely to declare a state of calamity in this resort island despite an estimated Php 20- million damages caused by the recent fire incident here.

Malay Councilor Rowen Aguirre said that the council did not see the need to declare a state of calamity.

At least five were injured while around four hectares of boarding houses, a public market and residential areas were ravaged by fire recently at Bukid Talipapa along Barangay Manoc Manoc here.

Hundreds of residents and resort employees were also affected by the fire. The declaration of state of calamity is needed to access the local government budget on disaster response.

Also, the declaration of state of calamity is needed by the employees to avail of a calamity loan either from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) or the Social Security System (SSS).

Investigation as to the cause of fire is still going on. The Bureau of Fire and Protection said that it is investigating all angles including the possibility of foul play.

Caticlan port seeks DOH help on MERS

Port authorities are asking the Department of Health (DOH) what to do in light of the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in South Korea.
Caticlan jetty port facilitates hundreds of tourists, local and foreign, to this island resort every day.
Majority of the island’s foreign visitors are South Koreans, with their number reaching 9,862 from June 1 to 14 this year alone, port records showed.
The figure was only slightly higher than the 9,657 in the same period last year.
From June to August is the period considered the “super peak season” in terms of South Korean arrivals, according to the jetty port administrator Niven Maquirang.
“We could ask our [port] personnel to wear protective masks, but this might piss the tourists off,” Maquirang said. “The best thing to do is to ask the DOH.”
Three new MERS-CoV cases were recorded in South Korea yesterday, raising the total number of cases to 172, in what could be the largest outbreak outside of Saudi Arabia, international news wires have reported.
Fatalities also rose to 27, with two new deaths — men aged 84 and 87 — recorded from Sunday night to Monday morning, the wire reports said, citing the South Korean health ministry.
Guarding Western Visayas’ entry points is crucial in preventing the spread of MERS-CoV, according to DOH Region 6.
The region’s three airports servicing international flights — in Cabatuan, Iloilo; Silay City, Negros Occidental; and Kalibo, Aklan — have been equipped with thermal scanners to detect persons with fever, one of MERS-CoV’s symptoms./

Fire ravages four hectares in Boracay

Fire gutted almost four hectares on world-famous leisure beach destination, Boracay Island in Malay town.

Based on an initial report from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the June 17 fire started around 2:45 p.m. and was declared under control by 4:50 p.m.

The fire started at the house of one Marcelino Sotto in Sitio Manggayad, Manoc-Manoc village, which is located on the southernmost part of the island.


he fire quickly spread via electrical lines, eating up more than 100 houses until it reached the public market which locals call “Talipapa Bukid.”

The three-hectare market, where those on the island go to buy all sorts of affordable goods, was totally wiped out in the fire.

Former Malay town councilor, Jonathan Cabrera, said the Bureau of Fire Protection had initially planned to send over fire trucks from mainland Malay to beef up efforts by local Boracay firefighters.

Boats were ready to ferry additional fire trucks from Caticlan Port to Boracay Island, but was called off when local firefighters including those from the Boracay Action Group led by prominent islander and Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Commander Leonard Tirol were able to virtually put the fire under control by 5 p.m.

However, it was not until 7 p.m. that the fire was totally put out.

Fire victims, many of whom are employees and workers of resort and hotel establishments on the island, are currently temporarily staying at the Manoc-Manoc village gymnasium.

Authorities say five people were injured in the fire. No casualty was recorded.

The incident has not only caused discomfort to locals, but to tourists as well. Access roads were impassable to vehicles as it was filled with people.

Wednesday’s fire was not the first time that a major blaze occurred on

Boracay. Last January 2005, a fire also severely damaged the Talipapa or flea market for tourists located on Station3.

Cabrera added that vendors who were victims of the January, 2005 fire, were again hit by the fire last Wednesday.

“They were relocated to Talipapa Bukid after the January 2005 fire,” Cabrera noted.


Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/fire-ravages-four-hectares-in-boracay/#bqSgmuZWzxW6lrD7.99

Fire engulfs 100 homes in Boracay

 A fire on world-famous beach destination Boracay in Malay, Aklan broke out at around 2  p.m. Wednesday (June 17, 2015).

Based on initial reports, an estimated 100 homes have been razed in the Talipapa area, where the old market used to be located.

Initial reports also say that the fire started in a boarding house, although this has yet to be confirmed.

As of press time, island fire personnel are still battling the fire although they are having a hard time controlling the blaze because of strong winds.

The fire is in an area not near where rsworts or hotels catering to tourists are located.

Boracay tourists, locals: ‘Conserve environment’

Tourists and locals gathered at the Willy’s Rock here to call on the local and national government to ensure the island’s environmental sustainability.
Estimated to be more than a hundred, they staged a rally in light of the series of online petitions by the Friends of Flying Foxes, a group leading conservation efforts for bats here.
Organizers of the protest also called on the municipal government of Malay, Aklan, which has jurisdiction over Boracay, to cancel the permit for the construction of an “underwater resort” at the Puka Beach.
The protest on Monday started with a candle-lighting ceremony at the beachfront and a public reading of an “environmental oath” to conserve the island.
Boracay-based international entertainer Armand “TJ” Tajnlangit and an 11-year-old girl led the singing of songs about environmental conservation./

Globe Platinum completes construction of Noah's Ark classrooms

KALIBO, Aklan- Seven municipalities in Aklan are renewed with hope from the devastation of typhoon Haiyan in 2013 as Globe Telecom premium postpaid brand Globe Platinum turned over new classrooms under its rehabilitation and rebuilding initiation dubbed as Noah's Ark to the Aklan provincial government in a ceremonial turnover session held at the New Washington Central Elementary School.

As part of its commitment to nation-building, Globe Platinum together with Globe Rewards, participated with Habitat for Humanity to construct classrooms in seven Aklan municipalities such as Libacao, Madalag, Banga, Batan, Altavas Balete and New Washington. The classrooms were funded through the generosity of Globe Platinum costumers and are built to double as evacuation sites with its capacity to hold a large number of people complete with toilet, bath and kitchen facilities.

The ceremonial turn over was attended by representatives from Globe, Habitat for Humanity,  Department of Education and the local government offices of New Washington and Aklan. The LGUs expressed their appreciation to Globe Platinum and its generous costumers for driving the advocacy of giving and sharing to help others.

More than 5,000 students have benefited for the new classrooms. According to Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores ," The students and communities of Aklan would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to Globe and its generous costumers who made Noah's Ark Project possible. It's wonderful to see how people's selfless generosity can create an enormous impact on so many lives."

The event was capped by a ribbon-cutting ceremony as Globe Platinum Director Kaisie Del Carmen and Habitat for Humanity Chief Marketing Officer Yvone Lih officially turned over the Noah's Ark classrooms to officials of the local and provincial government. A marker of thanks and grand mural of hope were also unveiled during the affair.

"We know how our costumers look for meaningful advocacies to support and we are glad that they were able to inspire their fellow Filipinos with renewed hope through the Noah's Ark Project. This is just the first of many more nation-building efforts we plan to to to give the gift of hope and inspiration to more Filipinos together with the collaborative efforts from our partners and costumers," says Del Carmen.

Apart from the ceremonial turn ove, the group also toured the school, participated in a community mural painting, and helped out in cleaning the classrooms in support of the Department of Education's Brigada Eskwela, a school maintenance and rehabilitation effort in preparation for the opening of classes.

Globe Platinum's Noah's Ark is one of several projects being undertaken by Globe as a development partner for Aklan under the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR).

Mass Movement for environment

Friends, there will be a mass action for environment at the famous Willy's Rock here in Boracay Island Monday June 15 at 6 pm. Please bring in candle, rechargeable lamps/lights and bamboo torch to show our united concern for environment.

Kalibo airport on guard vs MERS-CoV

Strict passenger screening measures were ongoing at the Kalibo International Airport in light of the spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in South Korea.
Airport authorities were coordinating with the Department of Health in ensuring the safety of all incoming and outgoing passengers, said Martin Terre, director of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines here.
“We have placed a thermal scanner to determine incoming passengers with fever,” he said. “Those with fever will be taken to a quarantine office.”
The protocol will be strictly implemented on passengers in direct and chartered international flights.
Kalibo International Airport has direct flights to and from South Korea.
The World Health Organization has warned of a possible MERS-CoV outbreak in South Korea./

Swiss caught with drug posts bail

The 45-year-old Swiss caught trying to smuggle an illegal drug into a jail here was out on bail.
Businessman Kidd Bernhard Kiefer paid P200,000 for his temporary liberty.
After indicting Kiefer, the Aklan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office gave the suspect two options: seek preliminary investigation or get charged with illegal drug possession.
During the preliminary investigation, Kiefer will be jailed while the prosecutor studies the case for two months.
Kiefer opted to get charged immediately, which would give him the chance to post bail as soon as possible.
The Swiss was caught in possession of hashish, a potent form of marijuana, concealed in a cigarette pack at the Aklan Rehabilitation Center in Barangay Nalook here.
He was visiting inmate Carlo San Jose, a former cook in his resort in Boracay Island.
San Jose was charged for allegedly raping a British female in the island resort./

Two Arabs charged for human trafficking

At least two Arabs had been charged for human trafficking here after the two minors filed a complaint against them at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here.

Police identified the suspects as Saleh Khalid Abdullah and Jaber Mohammed Kal. They are both 24 years old and a resident of Jubail City, Saudi Arabia.

Police report said that the suspects brought two minor girls from Manila who were lured to take vacation in this resort island.

Upon their arrival at the jetty port, the minors changed their minds and asked the Arabs to send them home. The two Arabs refused the pleas of the children.

Because of this, the children sought assistance from the DSWD who has a stand by children's desk at the said jetty port. The DSWD then sought the help of the police to arrest the suspects.

The suspects had been charged at the Aklan Provincial Prosecutors Office Monday afternoon.

SP urges investigation on 'forced closure' of Ariel's Point

Provincial board member Rodson Mayor urges investigation on the alleged forced closure of the Ariel's Point which is a famous cliff diving site in nearby Buruanga town.

Mayor said that he received reports that Buruanga mayor Concepcion Labindao has implemented forced closure against the cliff diving site without the alleged court process.

"I call on the committee of tourism to investigate this matter," said Mayor.

Earlier, the Ariel's Point management charges Labindao and the rest of the local council at the Office of the Ombudsman for harassment in the said resort. The management said that the forced closure is purely based on opinionated facts only.

The Ariel's Point was considered as one of the best cliff diving site in the world according to a US based newspaper.

Recently, a South Korean tourist was hurt due to the tension between the local government and the Ariel's Point.

Labindao could not be reached for comment.

APEC hosting in Boracay immortalized

 The hosting of this resort island of the historic Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) has been immortalized through environmental conservation.

Jose Rodriguez of the Sangkalikasan Producers Cooperative (SPC) said that they had recently launched the 'APEC Coral Reef Garden' in the sea front of the Seawind Hotel here.

"We hope to forever remember the APEC hosting in Boracay. Since we had just started the coral reforestation we hope to achieve one hectare of coral garden soon," he said.

Aside from the SPC, the local government of Malay has also conducted similar initiative at the sea front of the Paradise Garden Resort.

Boracay hosted APEC's Second Senior Officials Meeting (SOM2) and Related Meetings for Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting last May 10 to 24.

Korean hurt in Aklan dive site accident

Tension continued between the management of a dive site in Aklan and the municipal government of Buruanga following an accident that resulted in the injury of a South Korean tourist over the weekend.

The tourist, who was not identified, was injured during a diving activity at Ariel’s Point, an eco-adventure destination near Boracay Island.

Ariel’s Point owner, Ariel Abriam, said the local government on Saturday installed under water nets at their facility to discourage tourists from diving from the cliff.

The tourist was warned of the risk, but she reportedly ignored it.

The municipal government closed Ariel’s Point due to alleged violation of environmental laws two months ago.

The management reportedly ignored the closure order, saying it was meant to harass them.

Dive site manager Ruby Luces said that last month they prevented personnel of the local government out to serve the closure order from entering the facility.

The management said that time they had 68 foreign guests.

Police seized one of Ariel’s Points service boats for alleged violations. The boat was released later to the facility without penalty.