Aklan remains ‘ASF-free’

The entire province including this resort island is still free from the African swine fever (ASF), provincial veterinary quarantine officer Dr. Christine Lyn Melgarejo said.

She added they have been consistent in enforcing stringent biosecurity measures to bar the entry of meat products brought by inbound passengers at the Kalibo International Airport.   

“From Jan. to Oct. this year, we already confiscated around 1,900 kilos of processed meat. This came from the Chinese, South Koreans, domestic tourists, and the overseas Filipino workers,” Melgarejo said.

The Provincial Veterinary Office immediately disposed the confiscated items.

Last September, Gov. Florencio Miraflores ordered a temporary 90-day ban on the entry of live swine and pork products in the province, including canned goods of pork origin and by-products from ASF-affected countries and areas from Luzon.     

The executive order spelled out shipment/re-shipment protocol at seaports and airports for live swine and pork products originating from Luzon intended and passing through the province.

ASF causes high fever, loss of appetite, hemorrhage, and death among domestic and wild pigs./

Chinese embassy vows compliance to Boracay laws

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China has vowed to cooperate with the Malay local government in urging Chinese nationals to comply with local laws being implemented in this resort island.

According to Chinese Embassy liaison officer Peter Tay, Consul General Lou Gang met with Malay acting mayor Floribar Bautista and other local government officials in a courtesy visit to discuss recent issues of Chinese nationals who have violated local ordinances such as littering and smoking at the front beach.

To curb further infractions from Chinese nationals, Gang promptly requested for a full copy of the existing local ordinances which he said will be translated into Chinese for distribution to tourists visiting Boracay.

The Chinese Embassy also donated six all-terrain vehicles (ATV) to the local government to be used for patrol and emergency assistance in the island.

Leonard Tirol of the Boracay Fire, Rescue and Volunteers Inc. said that some of the ATV will be stationed at the front beach while some will be given to the Philippine National Police.

Earlier this year, Gang also met with the officials of the Department of Tourism (DoT) to promote Boracay to Chinese tourists.

According to data from the DoT, the Chinese recorded the highest number of visits as 389,885 tourists have visited the island from January to 31 October this year.

British Embassy to provide anti-terrorism training in Boracay

The British Embassy in Manila has committed to provide trainings on paramedics and anti-terrorism for members of the Boracay Fire, Rescue and Ambulance Volunteer Incorporated (BFRAV).

Rod Bachiilier of BFRAV said this was the commitment made by the British Trauma Training Team, which visited the BFRAV Monday morning, November 18, to discuss the proposal.

"The details of the training are yet to be finalized with our head Leonard Tirol. The training is expected to last until February of next year," he said.

"Trainings on trauma care were also discussed," he added.

The training will also cover as participants those coming from the Philippine Red Cross,  Joint Task Force Boracay, Philippine National and other agencies.

The BFRAV is a private-based volunteer and humanitarian group in this resort island.

BIARMG to check motive of Chinese flag displayed in Boracay

THE Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group (BIARMG) wants to check the motives of an unidentified tourist displaying a Chinese flag in the resort island recently.

At least two photos went viral on social media showing a Chinese tourist displaying the Chinese flag at the front beach. Another photo of the same tourist was also seen displaying the flag at the stage of the Balabag Elementary School.

Natividad Bernardino, head of the BIARMG, said in an interview that they have yet to determine the motive behind the display of the Chinese flag.

"If it was used as a locator for a group tour, I don't think there's a problem. But if it was done to make a malicious statement, that is a different story," she said.

Based on the report from the Department of Tourism (DOT), China recorded 389,885 or 44 percent of international arrivals from January to October in 2019. Tourists from South Korea came second with 334,201 arrivals or 37 percent, and tourists from Taiwan with 28,455.

Foreigners from January to October reached 891,298 arrivals, local tourists at 796,908 and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at 54,253.

Overall, around 1,742,459 foreign and local tourists visited Boracay this year.

Boracay team bags 2 medals in Taiwan dragon boat tourney

The Boracay All Stars Dragonboat won two medals during the recently concluded 2019 Kaohsiung City Cup Dragon Boat Tournament in Taiwan held from November 8 to 10.

The paddlers gave the Philippines a silver medal for winning the 200-meter mixed small boat category and another bronze medal for the 500-meters mixed small boat category.

Prior to the competition, the group suffered a huge setback after the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources prohibited them from training in Boracay waters.

The training was halted after seven paddlers from another league, the Boracay Dragonforce, died in a freak accident last September 25.

Because of this, the group, with the meager funds available, conducted an imaginary paddling training at the white sand beaches of Boracay.

Some rowing training was also held at the swimming pool of some resorts that allowed them to use the facility.

The group promised to do more in their next international competitions.

Rehab group supports ‘Bawal ang Pasaway sa Boracay’ campaign

 The Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group (BIARMG) said it is supporting the “Bawal ang Pasaway” campaign of the local government of Malay, Aklan.

BIARMG head Natividad Bernardino said in an interview that the local government launched the campaign on Monday, November 11.

The BIARMG is a management arm of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The task force was created to rehabilitate Boracay from environmental degradation.

“The campaign is part of the declaration of both the local government and the Philippine National Police in placing the whole of Boracay as a disciplined zone. We expect that tourists will flock Boracay this Yuletide season and we wanted these tourists to follow measures while at the same time enjoy Boracay as a holiday destination,” Bernardino said.

At least 12 local ordinances are the subjects of the campaign. Among them include no littering, no vending, no eating and no drinking at the front beach.

She said that aside from tourists, the campaign is also meant for both large and small businesses in the resort island.

“We also have registered cases of erring tourists and residents and also large business owners. There would be no exemptions,” Bernardino added.

Group: Demolition of structures on Bulabog Beach to continue

The demolition of at least 10 structures on Bulabog Beach in Boracay Island will continue this week, according to the Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group (BIARMG).

This came after the judge of the Kalibo Regional Trial Court Branch 7 failed to decide on the petition for preliminary injunction during the hearing held Monday noon, November 11.

BIARMG head Natividad Belarmino said the government is pushing with the demolition of the structures, as the camp of lawyer Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr. failed to secure order from the court.

The BIARMG earlier said that those who were affected by the demolition, which started last week, violated the 25+5-meter easement.

Panelo, the legal counsel of the petitioners, said they will continue to fight for justice.

"But my clients have all the government permits and that they are compliant. I couldn't understand why the government is telling them that they violated the 25+5 meters," he said.

During Monday's hearing, Judge Ronald Exmundo said he has given the Office of the Solicitors General (OSG) five days to submit its answers.

Exmundo also asked the government through the BIARMG to give their basis on why some houses and business establishments in Bulabog beach were demolished. OSG lawyers, meanwhile, promised to submit their affidavit in five days.

The demolition of residential houses, portion of coffee shops and hotels, started last November 7 after the expiration of the 20-day temporary restraining ordered by Exmundo.

US trainers to help Filipino leaders vs illegal drugs

 At least three US nationals are expected to arrive this week to train Filipino leaders and local legislators on drug prevention and education.

Phillip Kimpo, a councilor of Kalibo and the provincial coordinator of the activity, said the US nationals are from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA).

"The event, which will be held on November 4 to 8, is the third batch of training supported by the US embassy. It will be held in Astoria Current Boracay," Kimpo said,

The trainers are Eric Siervo, Colber Prosper, and David Aguilar.

"The event is also supported by the Province of Aklan, the Aklan Community Coalition for Drug Abuse Prevention and Education (AKON-DA), and the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) Aklan Chapter," he added.

Participants during the activity include those from the provinces of Aklan and Antique, and the cities of Cavite, Iloilo, and Kidapawan.

"These delegates will undergo intensive training in the days ahead with the aim of preparing them to be the leaders of their respective kontra-droga community coalitions affiliated with CADCA and AADAC PHL (Association of Anti-drug Abuse Coalition of the Philippines Inc.)," Kimpo added.

Aklan supports HIV screening

Amid the rise in cases of sexually transmitted diseases here, pregnant women in this province are being encouraged to undergo free HIV AIDS screening at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH).

Debbie Villaflor, HIV AIDS coordinator from the Provincial Health Office (PHO), said there is an increasing number of persons living with HIV AIDS in the province.

“From 1984 to June of this year, we recorded at least 229 cases of HIV AIDS. Some 13 of them already died,” Villaflor said during the Aklan Provincial AIDS Council meeting held Wednesday.

For her part, Dr. Leilani Barrios of the DRSTMH said that as of September this year, some 117 persons living with HIV AIDS are undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Because of this trend wherein younger people are getting infected by the HIV AIDS, the PHO considered it important to encourage pregnant women to undergo screening and check their health status.

“We are assuring pregnant women of confidentiality once they undergo the free HIV AIDS screening,” Barrios said.

She also disclosed that the youngest patient taking ART three years ago is a 15-year-old boy who has already been diagnosed with HIV AIDS. Now he is already an 18-year old and is still the youngest.

Dr. Athena Magdamit, president of the Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines-Aklan said that she already requested the PHO for training on how to handle pregnant women who may be affected by HIV AIDS on treatment especially during regular check-ups.

DTI urged tourists to patronize green products

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Aklan has urged tourists to patronize green products in buying souvenirs.

Maria Carmen Iturralde, acting DTI Aklan provincial director, said that green products are widely available in the resort island as several entrepreneurs are already engaged ecopreneurship - businesses that use environment-friendly products.

“Tourists patronizing green products not only help entrepreneurs earn a living, but also helps in the sustainability of the environment,” Iturralde said.

Iturralde added that the quality of green products being sold by local entrepreneurs is already of quality standard because of its successful recent launching during the 17th Aklan Product Expo in Iloilo City.

The expo, dubbed as “Go Green”, was held at the Event Center of SM City Iloilo last October 7 to 13.

“The cash sales amounted to P1.07 million, booked sales at P7.4 million, orders under negotiation at P182,000, with the combined sales of P8.54 million,” said Iturralde.

Among the high-demand green product were coconut shell items and abaca twines, processed foods, wearables, among others.

The trade fair was supported by the DTI, Hugod Aklanon Producers Association Incorporated, Aklan Provincial Government and the Aklan Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council.