Puyat welcomes ‘Better’ Boracay, calls for responsible tourism

Tourism Chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat urges visitors to respect and observe local regulations to help protect and preserve Boracay Island.

Puyat made the appeal during the much-awaited reopening of the island, stressing the importance of a collective effort from the island’s residents and its visitors alike.

“As we welcome a Better Boracay, the Department of Tourism urges everyone to be responsible tourists. It is the key to the preservation of this national treasure,” says Puyat.

The first phase of the rehabilitation, which covers the moratorium on tourism activities since April 26, 2018, addressed the extreme environmental degradation, particularly seawater pollution and illegal encroachment, in beach easement areas.

“During the dry run, about a week ago, people would come up to the members of the BIATF and tell us, “This shoreline, the beachfront we are seeing now, this is the Boracay we fell in love with 30 years ago,” enthused Puyat.

Puyat ensured that there will be a strict enforcement of existing guidelines and policies such as the ordinance prohibiting the drinking of alcohol and smoking in public places, no partying within the no-build zone easement, regulation of sand castle-making, and prohibition of open fires and use of kerosene gas/fuel lamps.

“The Boracay experience is the ultimate lesson in balancing development and protecting the environment. The lessons learned here are not for Boracay alone but also for the other island destinations around our beautiful country,” added the tourism chief.

Meanwhile, Puyat clarified that while the BIATF will enforce a limitation on the number of tourists allowed in the island, currently pegged at 19,215 guests per day, the Department of Tourism (DOT) will continue to accredit compliant accommodation establishments that pass the standards of the agency.

“More rooms will be available as we continue on with Phases 2 and 3 of Boracay’s massive rehabilitation. We are making sure the Task Force requirements are 100% complied with,” said Puyat.##

photo: Members of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force and the local stakeholders join hands in front of the Boracay icon, the symbol of the new and ‘better’ Boracay. 

- DOT

Pres. Duterte is pleased with what has happened in Boracay

Salvador S. Panelo, Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel releases statement on the re-opening of Boracay:

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is pleased with what has happened in Boracay.

Boracay is a lesson of political will, as exhibited by PRRD and yet, it is also a lesson of neglect, misfeasance and malfeasance by responsible persons in office. The cesspool that was Boracay would not have happened if political will was exhibited by those in authority and if only officials of the island paradise, as well as the stakeholders, operated following the law and the rules and regulations of pertinent government agencies.

It has to take the strong and decisive leadership of the President to put things in order and we should all learn from these lessons so that Boracay will become an attraction not only in this country but in the world.

We commend the different Departments for the evolution and development of Boracay, as well as the patience and cooperation of everyone.##

Aklan’s 8.1% inflation in Sept among highest in WV

PRICES OF goods and services continue to rise in Aklan such that the inflation of the province up by a faster rate of 8.1 percent in September from 2.0 percent a year ago according to Philippine Statistics Authority-Aklan.

Increment of prices was among the fastest in Western Visayas following Negros Occidental with 9.1 percent.

It exceeded the national average at 6.7 percent, and the regional rate at 7.6 percent.

The uptrend was attributed to the 24.1 percent increase in Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, 11.0 percent rise on Transport, and 10.9 percent spike in Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages.

This is further fueled by the acceleration of indices in Recreation and Culture (8.3%), Restaurants and Miscellaneous Goods and Services (6.8%), Furnishings, Household Equipment and Housing Maintenance (5.4%), Clothing and Footwear (5.0%), Health (3.4%), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels (2.6%), and Communication (1.0).

Only Education slowed down with 21.1 percent.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices slightly notched up by 0.8 percent from 1.8 percent during the previous month.

Most commodities retained its previous month’s rates except for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages with 1.5% increase, Transport with 1.0%, HWEG and Other Fuels with 0.4%, and Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco with 0.3%.

Food index was pushed by the uptick in Corn (3.7%), Fish (3.4%), Vegetables (2.6%), Rice (1.7%), Sugar and related products (1.6%), Bread and cereals (1.4%), Fruit (1.0%), Non-alcoholic beverages (0.5%), Milk, cheese, and eggs (0.4%), Meat (0.4%), Food Products NEC (0.4%), Oils and Fats (0.3%), and Flour and Other Bakery Products (0.2%).

As a result of inflation, Aklan’s purchasing power of peso was pegged to P0.84 in September, which means that the same basket of goods and services worth P84.00 in 2012 can be bought at P100.00 September 2018.##

-PSA Aklan

KATRINA HALILI BISITA SA OPENING SALVO NG KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL BUKAS

BUKAS NA ang opening salvo ng Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival – ang tinaguriang “The Mother of All Philippine Festival” – sa Pastrana Park.

Sa panayam ng Energy FM Kalibo kay Albert Meñez, chairman ng Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Foundation Inc. (Kasafi) bisita sa event ang sexy actress na si Katrina Halili.

Sinabi ni Meñez na umabot na sa 63 tribes, modern groups at Balik Ati ang kalahok sa event.

Magsisimula ang sadsad ng mga kalahok alas-3:00 ng hapon mula sa Magsaysay Park patungong Pastrana Park kung saan gaganapin ang programa.

Sa programa ipakikilala ang 16 finalists ng Mutya it Kalibo, mensahe mula sa mga opisyal ng bayan at ng probinsiya, at ang pormal na deklarasyon ng pagsisimula ng ilang buwang selebrasyon ng Ati-atihan.

Pagkatapos ay matutunghayan ang mga fireworks at confetti. Ayon kay Meñez pahihintulutang magsadsad lahat kasama ang mga kalahok hanggang alas-10:00 ng gabi.

Sa gabi ay mayroon din kasiyahan sa Magsaysay Park kasama ang mga DJs at iba-ibang banda.

Kasabay ng Ati-atihan Opening Salvo ang pagbubukas rin ng Isla ng Boracay. Paliwanag ng Kasafi chairman, itinuon nila ang opening salvo sa parehong araw para ipagdiwang ang pagbubukas ng Isla.

Una nang naibalita na “in place” na ang mga security preparations ng kapulisan para sa pagdiriwang.##

DOTr, CAAP Board grants OPS to develop Davao, Kalibo Airports

THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation, through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), has granted Original Proponent Status (OPS) to Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corporation for Davao International Airport, while Mega 7 Construction Corporation was given OPS to the Kalibo International Airport (KIA).

The CAAP Board, which is headed by DOTr Sec. Arthur Tugade, has obtained the needed number of signatures from its members and released the grant of OPS in favor of the Kalibo and Davao proponents on Friday, 19 October 2018. The Board is currently meeting with the proponents to facilitate completion of requirements by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), who will still evaluate the proposals for approval.

The CAAP Board is composed of DOTr Sec. Tugade, CAAP Dir. Gen. Jim Sydiongco, Department of Tourism Sec. Bernadette Romulo Puyat, Department of Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez III, Department of Interior and Local Government Sec. Eduardo Año, Department of Foreign Affairs Sec. Teodoro Locsin, Jr., Department of Labor and Employment Sec. Silvestre Bello III, and Department of Justice Sec. Menardo Guevarra.

The OPS granted to Chelsea Logistics Holdings will be for the operation, maintenance and expansion of the Davao International Airport. It will also offer a new technology to enhance passenger experience and an airport operator which captures data to deliver efficient operations.

Meanwhile, the OPS given to Mega 7 Construction will be for the operation, maintenance and upgrade of facilities and systems in the Kalibo International Airport.

The Chelsea Logistics Holdings submitted its PhP49-billion unsolicited proposal (USP) to the DOTr on 28 May 2018, while Mega 7 Construction Corporation sent their USP of PhP3.8-billion on 6 August 2018. The DOTr and CAAP have no objections on the unsolicited proposals, subject to legal, technical and financial conditionalities.

Both proposals will also include the expansion of Passenger Terminal Buildings and a concession period for 30 years.

These unsolicited proposals will still have to undergo Swiss challenge. This means other groups may submit counterproposals and both companies have the option to match.

The Davao and Kalibo International airports have been lined up for development and among DOTr’s high priority infrastructure projects under President Duterte’s “Build Build Build” program.

The Duterte administration, through the leadership of DOTr Sec. Arthur Tugade, is keen on developing new international and regional airports to enhance connectivity and mobility, as well as address congestion in premiere gateways.##

-DOTr

Cimatu: much achieved, but more needs to be done to rehabilitate Boracay

Despite visible improvements, Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said a lot more needs to be done to completely rehabilitate and ensure the sustainability of the world-famous Boracay Island.

Cimatu said that while the resort island is “no longer a cesspool,” there is no reason for government and other stakeholders to be complacent.

“This is not the time for us to relax and lower our guards,” Cimatu said on the first day of the 11-day dry run for the much-awaited reopening of Boracay later this month.

“While much has been gained already, still a lot remains to be done and we still ask for your extended patience, support and understanding,” he added.

Cimatu, who heads the inter-agency task force in charge of Boracay’s rehabilitation, cited the ongoing road and drainage improvement projects, which were delayed due to successive typhoons.

“We lost about 30 to 40 days of work but we will be able to compensate for this and finish the drainage system,” Cimatu explained.

The environment chief said that all projects will continue even after Boracay’s soft opening slated for October 26.

“Rehabilitation will continue after October 26. We are just in Phase 1,” he stressed.

Cimatu led other officials of government agencies involved in the rehabilitation of Boracay in welcoming Aklanons who were the first guests in the newly- rehabilitated island which he described as a “better Boracay”.

Boracay, he said, was no longer a cesspool and tourists can once again enjoy its pristine waters.
He gladly announced that Boracay waters are already fit for swimming based on the standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“We offer to you now a better Boracay,” Cimatu said. “Boracay beaches are now a sight to behold and the entire island will even be grander in the near future.”

Famous for its powdery white sand, pristine blue waters and amazing sunsets, Boracay has been named several times as one of the best beaches in the world.

But on April 26, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Presidential Proclamation No. 475 ordering the closure of Boracay to tourists for six months to pave the way for its rehabilitation from environmental damage caused by overdevelopment.##

DENR wants full force of law vs Boracay litterbugs

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is aghast over the trash found on Boracay’s beachfront during the first day of the reopening dry run that it wants the full force of the law applied against litterbugs.

DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and LGU Concerns Benny Antiporda said that adopting a “zero tolerance policy” against litterbugs is the best way to prevent littering problems on the island.

He said that being compliant means "nagmamahal kayo sa ating kalikasan, at yun ang gusto namin palakasin."

The DENR official issued the statement after meeting with Compliant Association of Boracay (CAB), a newly established group whose members include owners of hotels, resorts, retail shops and restaurants.

Antiporda also announced that the DENR and other government agencies in charge of Boracay’s rehabilitation are amenable to CAB’s proposal to designate its pollution officers as “marshals” so they can have authority to go after litterbugs.

"We will talk with the local police so that you can do your obligation to your country to protect the environment," Antiporda told CAB members during the meeting.

He also enjoined them to use their social media accounts to come up with a joint statement to remind people to be responsible.

The DENR, he said, is also encouraging citizen’s arrest for litterbugs.

The CAB had earlier written DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu requesting that their pollution officers be deputized as “Boracay marshals” to police public areas on the island.

As marshals, the CAB said their pollution officers would be on the lookout for litterers and “shall remind the public to dispose of the trash properly.”

It added that “should the erring public refuse to cooperate, the marshalls may be the personal details of the individual(s) and endorse to policing agencies in Boracay.”

Antiporda reminded the public that under the Anti-Littering Law, littering is a criminal offense and violators could face a fine or render community service from eight to 16 hours.

He noted that under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, establishments are required to designate a pollution control officer who shall ensure compliance with the law, among others.

Photos of discarded trash along Boracay’s famous White Beach went viral on social media recently. They were taken just hours after Boracay was opened to local tourists for the 11-day dry run for Boracay’s soft opening slated for October 26, 2018.##

- DENR

Bagong Buhay Boracay Product Showcase 2018

file photo / DTI-Aklan

In time for the reopening of Boracay Island, the Department of Trade and Industry - Aklan launches “Bagong Buhay Boracay Showcase 2018” at CityMall Boracay, Malay, Aklan on October 26 to 28, 2018 and will be participated by almost thirty (30) Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Large array of product selections such as decorative crafts and delicious food products will be made available during the three-day fair. Highlighted in this event are products produced by MSMEs affected by the island’s closure like festive gifts and decorative items, classy fiber-based fashion accessories, bamboo and wood welcome tokens, furnishings, souvenir items including processed foods. Also, a craft demonstration corner will be mounted to showcase the skills of local artisans in
Boracay.

Some products to be displayed will come from different municipalities which best represent their own creative skill and rich industry. These MSMEs are those tapped and assisted by the Negosyo Centers in terms of skills trainings and product development as part of Negosyo Center’s business advisory and other related assistance. Bagong Buhay Boracay Product Showcase will be an avenue for them to get exposed and be linked in the market as Boracay rises again.

This event is organized in partnership with CityMall Boracay, the Local Government Unit of Malay and the Provincial Government of Aklan.

DTI, together with its partner agencies, enjoin the public to support our MSMEs in this endeavour. Come and visit “Bagong Buhay Boracay Product Showcase 2018”. This cumulative efforts will surely bring a significant impact in the re-emergence of the island’s vibrant business community.##

- DTI-Aklan