Savoy Hotel vows to help Ati community in Boracay

THE Savoy Hotel in Boracay has vowed to help uplift the lives of the island's indigenous community by giving them livelihood programs in the coming years.

Roland Galano Jr., area general manager for Savoy and Belmont Hotel Boracay, said they have launched the “message in a bottle” project to jumpstart the partnership.

The project was announced by Galano during the 20-foot mermaid-inspired Christmas tree of Savoy on Saturday night, December 7.

"The spirit of Christmas is best celebrated by sharing the happiness and blessings of the season to people around you," he said.

"We are making the holidays a lot more memorable not only for us here at Savoy Hotel Boracay, but also for the Atis of the island as a way of fulfillimg our part in uplifting the lives of the communities surrounding us in our own humble way," Galano added.

Evangeline Tamboboon, representing the Boracay Ati Tribal Organization (Bato), received the symbolic gift of token as a manifestation of the acceptance of Bato to the endeavor.

Recently, Savoy Hotel Boracay bagged two prestigious recognitions at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2019 held in Finland. These were the Luxury Modern Hotel (Global) award and the Luxury Architecture Design Hotel Continent award.

The hotel was awarded for its colorful installations and impressive furnishings that complement the chill and laidback vibe of Boracay.

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.