By Michaela del Callar (PNA)
Eight cities and destinations around the country have been shortlisted as possible venues for high-level meetings when the Philippines hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in 2015, a senior Foreign Affairs official said.
Foreign Undersecretary Laura del Rosario, head of the National Organizing Council for APEC, said among those selected were: Metro Manila, Clark, Tagaytay, Legaspi, Iloilo, Boracay, Cebu and Davao. Bacolod, she said, is also being considered as a back-up venue for the meeting.
Del Rosario said the shortlisted sites are “under serious considerations” by the organizers but will have to go through another round of evaluation every six months before 2015 to ensure its readiness to host the meetings.
“The cities that were reviewed have passed the initial requirements based on certain criteria - security, cleanliness, and accessibility,” Del Rosario told reporters in an interview.
Criteria for selection of venues also include facilities and infrastructure, power and water conditions, and medical services availability, Del Rosario said.
The APEC Summit, which would include leaders from the United States, Japan and China, would be held in the country by November 2015.
During the Philippine hosting, Del Rosario said a number of preparatory meetings in the ministerial and senior official levels will be held throughout the year in the run up to the summit.
The APEC leaders’ meeting, said to be the biggest and most high profile annual gathering of world leaders from 21-member economies, will be hosted by President Benigno S. Aquino III before he ends his term in June 2016.
Preparations including security and logistical requirements are being laid out as early as this year, Del Rosario said.
The APEC meetings, she said, would be a good opportunity for the Philippines to flaunt its prime cities and popular tourist destinations, like the world-famed Boracay and the Mayon Volcano in Legaspi, Albay.
It is also a chance for the country to showcase the diversity of Philippine regions, culture, arts and cuisine, Del Rosario said, adding the country’s hosting of the summit will pave the way for infrastructure improvements across the Philippines and begin the trend for “Livable Cities.”
“We’re trying to make cities live up and become livable cities because one of the agenda items of APEC is to create sustainable and livable cities,” she said.
Martes, Agosto 13, 2013
Lunes, Agosto 12, 2013
AirAsia to promote Aklan as tourism hub
AirAsia will soon promote Aklan province as its hub for international flights.
Jonathan Allen Yabut, incoming chief of staff of Air Asia, said the management has already approved the plan to make Kalibo International Airport (KIA) as one of its hubs.
Yabut, 27, recently earned the chief of staff rank after he was named the winner of the first season of “The Apprentice Asia, ” a reality show aired on AXN Asia.
"Aside from Boracay, we will also promote other tourism destinations in the province such as the Kalibo Mangrove Eco-Park and the Jawili Falls," Yabut said.
"Aside from this, I am planning for AirAsia to also launch a food company showcasing the different indigenous and ethnic foods in Asia especially the Philippines," he added.
The Aklan provincial government had earlier welcomed the plans of AirAsia to promote the KIA as an international hub.
Aklan Vice Gov. Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo said the promotion brought about by declaring KIA as tourism hub will provide multiple opportunities for the province of Aklan.(
Biyernes, Agosto 9, 2013
Three Chinese nationals arrested for gambling
The Philippine National Police has arrested three Chinese nationals for playing card games popularly known as “blackjack” in this resort island.
PO3 Christopher Mendoza of the Boracay PNP said the Chinese nationals, whose identities were not readily made available by the police, were arrested by operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division of the PNP.
The three foreign nationals were identified as Liang Yue Shi, 35, a tourist guide and a resident of Sitio Lubuton, Brgy. Manoc-manoc, Boracay; Wen Min Heng, 46; and Bao Sang Chan, 50, both residents of Pukin, China but temporarily living at Sitio Diniwid, Brgy. Balabag, Boracay who owns the Hong Kong Sea Food Restaurant in the island-resort.
"The PNP pounced on the Chinese nationals Monday night inside the Hong Kong Sea Food Restaurant in Brgy. Balabag here,” Mendoza told this writer Tuesday.
Recovered from their possession and control were playing cards, cellphone, $ 1,000 and some P150,000 believed to have been used in the illegal gambling.
"Our intelligence received reports that the Chinese nationals are gambling while staying in this resort island so we conducted surveillance before our police arrested them," Mendoza said.
"They will be charged for the violation of Republic Act 9287 otherwise known as the Anti Gambling Act," said Mendoza.
It was learned that the suspects managed to post P20,000 bail bond each for their temporary liberty.
PO3 Christopher Mendoza of the Boracay PNP said the Chinese nationals, whose identities were not readily made available by the police, were arrested by operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division of the PNP.
The three foreign nationals were identified as Liang Yue Shi, 35, a tourist guide and a resident of Sitio Lubuton, Brgy. Manoc-manoc, Boracay; Wen Min Heng, 46; and Bao Sang Chan, 50, both residents of Pukin, China but temporarily living at Sitio Diniwid, Brgy. Balabag, Boracay who owns the Hong Kong Sea Food Restaurant in the island-resort.
"The PNP pounced on the Chinese nationals Monday night inside the Hong Kong Sea Food Restaurant in Brgy. Balabag here,” Mendoza told this writer Tuesday.
Recovered from their possession and control were playing cards, cellphone, $ 1,000 and some P150,000 believed to have been used in the illegal gambling.
"Our intelligence received reports that the Chinese nationals are gambling while staying in this resort island so we conducted surveillance before our police arrested them," Mendoza said.
"They will be charged for the violation of Republic Act 9287 otherwise known as the Anti Gambling Act," said Mendoza.
It was learned that the suspects managed to post P20,000 bail bond each for their temporary liberty.
Martes, Agosto 6, 2013
Sabado, Agosto 3, 2013
DENR supports call for regulations of fire dance, lighted sand castles in Boracay
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) on Friday joined the call of the Department of Tourism (DOT) for the regulation of fire dancers and lighted sand castles in this resort island.
The DOT earlier reported on the possible beach pollution created by the fire dancers and the lighted sand castles.
Ivene Reyes, Aklan PENRO chief said he agreed to the observation of the DOT.
"Both fire dancers and lighted sand castle-makers use gas in their activities. The gas used, however, were being thrown at the beach and this may attribute to beach pollution. Right now the situation is not alarming but we are worried that this may happen soon if the activities were not regulated," said Reyes.
He recommended that fire dancers (and lighted sand castles) be regulated if they will not be allowed to throw gas at the beach. Likewise, fire dancer sooth their body with gas should not be allowed to swim at the beach.
"This way, we could prevent beach pollution from growing if everybody helps in the conservation of Boracay," said Reyes.
Fire dancing and lighted sand castles are a common beach attractions in this resort island.
The DOT earlier reported on the possible beach pollution created by the fire dancers and the lighted sand castles.
Ivene Reyes, Aklan PENRO chief said he agreed to the observation of the DOT.
"Both fire dancers and lighted sand castle-makers use gas in their activities. The gas used, however, were being thrown at the beach and this may attribute to beach pollution. Right now the situation is not alarming but we are worried that this may happen soon if the activities were not regulated," said Reyes.
He recommended that fire dancers (and lighted sand castles) be regulated if they will not be allowed to throw gas at the beach. Likewise, fire dancer sooth their body with gas should not be allowed to swim at the beach.
"This way, we could prevent beach pollution from growing if everybody helps in the conservation of Boracay," said Reyes.
Fire dancing and lighted sand castles are a common beach attractions in this resort island.
Boracay urged to become smoke-free tourism destination
The Dept. of Tourism here is supporting the call of several sectors to make this resort island a smoke-free tourism destination.
Tim Ticar, officer-in-charge of DOT-Boracay, said that it will be a welcome development this resort-island would be considered smoke-free.
The municipal government of Malay, Aklan still has to decide on its implementation.
"Declaring Boracay a smoke-free tourism destination will not only support the Clean Air Act but will also attract more tourists because of the island’s healthy environment," Ticar said.
The local government has already been enforcing penalties for both tourists and residents found smoking at the front beach.
Niven Maquirang, jetty port administrator, said he is also finalizing the plan to make both Cagban and Caticlan jetty ports smoke-free areas.
"We agree to the cause of making Boracay a smoke-free tourism destination and my part is to consider declaring my area, the jetty port, as a smoke free gateway for tourists coming to Boracay," Maquirang said.
Tim Ticar, officer-in-charge of DOT-Boracay, said that it will be a welcome development this resort-island would be considered smoke-free.
The municipal government of Malay, Aklan still has to decide on its implementation.
"Declaring Boracay a smoke-free tourism destination will not only support the Clean Air Act but will also attract more tourists because of the island’s healthy environment," Ticar said.
The local government has already been enforcing penalties for both tourists and residents found smoking at the front beach.
Niven Maquirang, jetty port administrator, said he is also finalizing the plan to make both Cagban and Caticlan jetty ports smoke-free areas.
"We agree to the cause of making Boracay a smoke-free tourism destination and my part is to consider declaring my area, the jetty port, as a smoke free gateway for tourists coming to Boracay," Maquirang said.
Task force identifies 293 illegal structures in Boracay
The technical team of the Task Force: Boracay has found 293 structures in this resort-island violating the 25+5 meters easement set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The task force, composed of representatives from the DENR, departments of tourism (DOT), and of interior and local government (DILG), was created upon orders from President Benigno Aquino III to ensure the resort-island’s sustainability as a premier tourism destination.
Ivene Reyes, provincial head of DENR-Aklan, said Tuesday their next step will be the finalization of the list together with the local government of Malay on August 5-7.
"We will then discuss the date of the removal of the illegal structures. The law mandates that the local government unit should lead in the demolition," Reyes said.
The demolition may be scheduled either in last week of August or in September.
Reyes said the Cagban Jetty Port has been included in the list of illegal structures.
"But since it is a government project and is important in tourism, the task force deemed that its structure and operation be regulated," Reyes said.
The Cagban Port serves as the entry and exit point of tourists and residents coming to and from Boracay.
"We are hoping for the cooperation of the different sectors in Boracay," the DENR official said.
The task force, composed of representatives from the DENR, departments of tourism (DOT), and of interior and local government (DILG), was created upon orders from President Benigno Aquino III to ensure the resort-island’s sustainability as a premier tourism destination.
Ivene Reyes, provincial head of DENR-Aklan, said Tuesday their next step will be the finalization of the list together with the local government of Malay on August 5-7.
"We will then discuss the date of the removal of the illegal structures. The law mandates that the local government unit should lead in the demolition," Reyes said.
The demolition may be scheduled either in last week of August or in September.
Reyes said the Cagban Jetty Port has been included in the list of illegal structures.
"But since it is a government project and is important in tourism, the task force deemed that its structure and operation be regulated," Reyes said.
The Cagban Port serves as the entry and exit point of tourists and residents coming to and from Boracay.
"We are hoping for the cooperation of the different sectors in Boracay," the DENR official said.
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