PCCI-Visayas endorses proposed Bida Law

Various chambers of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Visayas has forged a joint resolution urging President Rodrigo Duterte to certify the Senate Bill No. 1756 as urgent.

The senate bill, known as the creation of the Boracay Island Development Authority (Bida), was authored by Senator Franklin Drilon. The lower house has a similar version of this, which is from Congressman Albee Benitez.

Signatories of the joint resolution include Donna Rose Ratilla, PCCI regional governor for Western Visayas; Edward Du, regional governor for Central Visayas; Ramel Buncalan, PCCI-Aklan president; Lawyer Joebert Penaflorida, PCCI-president Iloilo; Ma. Elena Brugger, president of PCCI-Boracay; Ronald So, president of PCCI-Capiz; and Roberto Montelibano, president of the PCCI-Metro Bacolod.

Francisco Martinez, president of the Negros Oriental-PCCI; Vicente Lagunday, president of PCCI-Antique; and Neptune Pittman, president of Guimaras-PCCI are yet to sign the resolution.

The joint resolution was approved during the Visayas Area Business Conference held in Tacloban City, Leyte, on Friday, August 24.

“The swift passage of Senate Bill No. 1756 into law will ensure the full rehabilitation and conservation of the island into a sustainable tourism destination,” the resolution read.

“The Governing Board of the Authority shall be composed of the representatives from various national government agencies, provincial and local government and the local business chambers,” it added.

It could be recalled that President Duterte ordered the closure of Boracay in 2018 to undergo six months environmental rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Council of Malay is planning to schedule a public hearing for their approval on the said bill.

Malay Councilor Dante Pagsuguiron during his privileged speech Tuesday, August 20, said that he also wanted to know the full content of the Bida law so that it would be clear to the residents of Boracay.

“The bill may have a higher chances of being approved by President Duterte,” he said.

Luring more Europeans to go to Boracay 'a big challenge'

The former consul of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Prague considered promoting Boracay Island to European countries a big challenge.

Jed Dayang, now the special assistant to the DFA secretary, said among the challenges are the long hours of flight from Europe to Boracay, and the impression of the island as a "crowded" place.

In July this year, international website, Travel, included Boracay in the top three most crowded destinations in the world. First on the list was Machu Picchu in Peru, followed by Venice in Italy. Boracay is third.

"Boracay is famous among the Europeans. They knew Boracay Island was rehabilitated for six months. But there's a wide impression among them that Boracay is already crowded. What the European wants is a place where they could relax and unwind privately. I knew this because in my personal capacity, I am promoting Boracay to my friends," said Dayang, who hails from Kalibo, Aklan, which is located a few kilometers away from Boracay.

Meanwhile, Dayang said he will visit Cebu on August 17 to address the participants of The Outstanding Cebuano Award (Toca).

The awardees this year are Engr. Samuel D. Augusto Jr. for environment; Engr. Alan T. Alvez for engineering management; Ramoncito L. Arquiza of general services; Dr. Cornelio G. Duaso, science and technology; Mayor Gerald Anthony V. Gullas Jr., public service; Engr. Rodel T. Naval, mechanical engineering; Engr. Leonides M. Paragosa, design consultancy; Mayor Sun M. Paragsa, government service; Engr. Siegfred G. Sia, poverty alleviation; and Dr Edwin R. Torilla, education.

Now on its 19th year, the Toca aims to honor outstanding Cebuanos for their contributions to the community and nation building. The award categories are extended to Cebuanos who excel in their own fields of endeavor.

The awarding is a highlight of the dyCMs Tingog Sa Lungsod Program's 35th Anniversary Celebration at Sacred Heart Center Cebu City.

Chinese top foreign visitors to Boracay

BORACAY ISLAND -- China ranked first in the list of top tourism market sources of this resort island in Aklan province from January to June this year, data from Caticlan Jetty Port showed.

According to the tourist arrivals report forwarded to SunStar, a total of 250,326 Chinese have so far visited Boracay from January to June 2019.

South Korea, which for several years was the top market source, now ranked second, with a total of 197,488 tourists.

Third in the list is Taiwan with 14,476, followed by United States of America with 14,305, United Kingdom with 8,372, Australia with 7,327, Russia with 7,074, Japan with 6,506, Saudi Arabia with 4,874, and Germany at 4,557.

Julfe Rabe, information officer of the Caticlan Jetty Port, said the number may still increase, as they are still finalizing the number of foreign and domestic arrivals for the first half of 2019.

He said the local government of Malay and the Department of Tourism are helping in the validation of the number of tourist arrivals.

The Caticlan Jetty Port is the main gateway to Boracay Island.