Aklan is moderately affected by El Niño
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – The province of Aklan is moderately affected by the adverse effects of El Niño, according to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.

The prolonged dry spell already affected most rice-producing provinces across the country prompting the Department of Agriculture to mitigate measures for the El Niño phenomenon.

Provincial Agriculturist William Castillo said the threat of the El Niño in Aklan is moderate compared to the effects of dry spell in Capiz and Iloilo provinces, which is characterized by the ongoing drought and poor rain fall inflicted severe damages to agricultural crops and livestock.

”The provincial government and the DA outlined measures to mitigate the dry spell in the rice, high value commercial crops, corn and fishery sectors. The components are irrigation and water availability, production support, financing, information, education and communication and program management," he said.

Castillo said rain-fed hectares in the towns of Altavas, Balete, Malinao, Ibajay, Banga, Batan, Libacao, Madalag, Malay, Buruanga and Numancia are vulnerable to El Niño.

Based on the data released by the DA, the province of Aklan has a total land area of 181,816 hectares with 54 percent or 97,653 hectares are devoted to agriculture.

Aklan also remains a rice-exporting province with a rice sufficiency level at 117.80 percent, thus complementing the rice needs of other provinces of the excess rice.

Drug suspect collared by Boracay police
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

BORACAY – A buy bust operation on Saturday evening yielded a suspected drug pusher in the island resort, the police said.
Glenn Deslate, 26, a resident of Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan, was collared by the Provincial Intelligence and Special Operations Group (PISOG) of the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) in Barangay Manoc-Manoc cargo port.
The buy bust operation was conducted in coordination with the Boracay Special Tourist Protection Office (BSTPO) chief of police Supt. Rolando Vilar.
The anti-drug police operatives recovered from the suspect one brick of suspected dried marijuana leaves, ten pieces of P100 bill marked money, one pack in calendar paper containing dried marijuana leaves, two pieces of small sealed plastic sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, a matchbox containing two sealed plastic sachets of suspected shabu, stainless bread knife, cellphone, passport and a disposable lighter.
Aklan police director Senior Superintendent Epifanio Bragais, Jr. also confirmed the arrest of the suspect in a buy-bust operation carried out by members of PISOG. The suspect is facing criminal charges for violations of Section 5 and 11 of Republic Act No. 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Chief Insp. Aden Lagradante said the recent buy-bust was their second successful operation for this year to crack down illegal drug trade in the province. Last month, the police led by SPO4 Clemencio Nava, Jr. also apprehended two suspects - husband and wife from Capiz - in New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan for illegal possession of prohibited drugs.
Meanwhile, APPO arrested 29 drug pushers and users and filed 37 cases in court in its relentless campaign against illegal drugs last year.

Boracay undergoes an Ecological ‘Makeover’

BY VINCE G. LOPEZ

The ongoing Boracay Island sewage project aims to provide clean potable water to the whole community.
Coming soon in Boracay: More tourists and more clean, safe and potable water.
The country’s premier tourism destination is currently undergoing a comprehensive infrastructure program that will provide the island with a 100 percent water supply and sewerage coverage.
The much-needed ecological “makeover” will dramatically address the concerns of water pollution as well as to ensure that water is made readily available to island visitors.
The project is spearheaded by the Boracay Island Water Company, Inc. (BIWC), a joint venture company between Manila Water Company, Inc. and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA). The said project was undertaken through a memorandum of agreement signed by Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Ace Durano and Manila Water Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala as key witnesses, in accordance with the terms and requirements of the 2008 NEDA Joint Venture Guidelines for Government Corporations and the Private Sector.
Under the agreement, the JV Company was tasked to develop and operate the existing Boracay Water Supply and Sewerage System (BWSS) in Malay, Aklan. Under the joint venture, the authorized capital stock of the JV Company shall be PhP300 million whereby Manila Water’s equity contribution shall be 80 percent while PTA’s equity contribution shall be 20 percent.
Durano said the public — private sector partnership can be likened to a ‘grand slam win,’ noting four key factors such as “support infrastructure as an integral component of sustainable tourism development; the elimination of the water and sewerage constraint, benefiting both existing and new investments in the island; protection and conservation of the natural beauty of Boracay; and the creation of new jobs for locals.”
“In 2009, there were 4,000 additional rooms in Boracay alone. More flights are also available, and while this signals a vibrant market, we want to ensure that the island can cope with the increasing demand from tourists, more so now that the global economy is on a gradual upswing,” added Durano.
Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr. elaborated that “Preserving the island’s ecological wealth is our foremost priority. Promoting the sought-after destination to travellers also entails guaranteeing that the island can provide safe water to the local community and to tourists.”
Manila Water has an existing concession in the East Zone of Metro Manila with a customer base of around 5.6 million people. Since the start of operations in 1997, the company has already increased 24-hour water coverage to 99 percent from 26 percent and reduced water losses from 63 percent to less than 20 percent.

Governor Marquez to enter MOU with PopCom,

Aklan SP grants authority

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution authorizing Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Regional Population Office for the implementation of responsible parenthood programs in Aklan / PHOTO BY BOY RYAN ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Aklan legislative council has approved the authority for Governor Carlito Marquez to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Regional Population Office for the P987,500 funding assistance in the implementation of the Responsible Parenting Program (RPM) and Natural Planning Program.

In its 5th regular session yesterday, Provincial Population officer Arturo Teodosio, Jr. got the nod of the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan presided by Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo authorizing the governor to sign the MOU with the Population Commission.

Teodosio said the province of Aklan is the recipient of funding assistance from the regional office of the Population Commission since June 2007, giving emphasis in organizing the Responsible Parenting Movement up to the barangay level in Aklan.

"At no cost to the provincial government, the program, through this funding and technical assistance, targets to promote natural family planning methods among married couples by mobilizing them to practice responsible parenthood," he said.

Teodosio also cited the efforts of Tangalan mayor Gene Fuentes, Balete mayor Noemi Cordero and Altavas mayor Dr. Kathryne Refol in the successful implementation of responsible parent advocacy in the communities.

Population Commission, an attached agency of the Department of Health, aims to have an RPM class in every barangay in the country and 4.2 million couples reached this year for the project. In response to the implications of rapid population growth, the national government has promoted the RPM as a major component of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program.

In the State of the Province Address last week, Governor Marquez lauded the Aklan Population Office for having contributed to the accomplishment of Western Visayas in the nationwide campaign on best practices on natural family planning.

Teodosio said the Aklan Population Office has trained 5,584 couple beneficiaries in 316 barangays of the province and conducted 482 pre-marriage counseling sessions for 1,537 couples.

Aklan is the only province in Region VI granted funding assistance by the national government for the Men's Responsibilities in Gender and Development (Mr Gad) program, he added.

Aklan PNP nets five gun ban violators

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The intensified campaign on gun ban violations is strongly implemented by the Philippine National Police. So far, five gun ban violators were arrested by the Aklan Provincial Police Office (APPO) across the province / PHOTO BY AKLAN PNP PIO

KALIBO, Aklan – Five persons were apprehended by the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) for violations of gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the province.

Senior Superintendent Epifanio Bragais, Jr. said the intensified campaign on illegal firearms through checkpoints by the local police resulted to the apprehension of the violators.

“There are five violators of the gun ban so far. The latest arrest against a violator happened in Barangay Estancia in Kalibo, Aklan for indiscriminate firing of shotgun. No bail was recommended for his arrest,” he said.

Comelec issued Resolution No. 8714 which prohibits the carrying and transport of firearms, ammunitions and deadly weapons during the election period from January 10 up to June 9, 2010.

Only bona-fide members of Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and law enforcement agencies in proper uniform and while in actual performance of official duty are authorized to carry firearms.

Three civilians were among the five persons who were arrested after the 150-days gun ban took effect last month in Aklan. Those arrested are facing charges for violations of the Omnibus Election Code.

The number of gun ban violators in Western Visayas rose to 48, with the province of Negros leading other provinces in the region followed by Capiz and Antique. All chiefs of police are directed to conduct checkpoints and police visibility in preparation for the upcoming May 10 polls.

Cebu Pacific resumes flights to Caticlan

Cebu Pacific said Tuesday it will resume flights to Caticlan in March, seven months after it stopped flying there following near-misses as a result of its short runway.

The budget carrier joined Air Philippines and Zest Airways in suspending flights to Caticlan last July, rerouting their flights to Kalibo and leaving only SeAir to continue serving Caticlan.

PAL Express, formerly Air Philippines, resumed flying to Caticlan on Dec. 1 using the Bombardier Q300 turboprop plane.

“[Cebu Pacific] is pursuing this gradual transition to Caticlan to make sure our ATR pilots are properly re-certified to operate the route,” vice president Candice Iyog said in a statement.

Initially, only four Manila-Kalibo and one Cebu-Kalibo flights to Caticlan will be transferred to Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan.

Full operations start on March 28, and with 11 Manila-Caticlan-Manila flights and 1 Cebu-Caticlan-Cebu flight daily. Jeremiah F. de Guzaman

Guv lauds ASU-Aklan gov’t school of nursing achievements
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – Now critics are not only being answered, but proven wrong, of the latest achievements of the Aklan State University (ASU) and the provincial government’s joint venture.

Adding to its many firsts that were accomplished by the province, the ASU and the Provincial School of Nursing produced, in four years time, a board topnotcher and registered an 81.48 percent passing mark after 22 of its 27 nursing graduates passed the November 2009 board exams.

Vyklyn Jimeno Testa, cum laude graduate of Aklan State University School of Nursing and a resident of Barangay Cajilo, Makato, Aklan, placed 8th with 85.80 percent in the recent Nursing Board Licensure Examinations.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has announced on Sunday that 37,527 out of 94,462 or 39.73 percent passed the nursing board exams held in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, La Union, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pampanga, Sulu, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga last November 2009.

Iligan City native Clarie Morales Bontol of Iligan Medical Center College, Inc. topped the examination with an 87.80 percent rating followed by Bryan Noel Cueto Asis of Lyceum of Batangas with 87.60 percent and Dickson Araza Laude of St. Scholastica's College of Health Sciences-Tacloban with 87.00 percent.

With less than 30 examinees, the ASU School of Nursing was among those first-time provincial nursing schools who performed well in the recent nursing board examinations.

In 2005, Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez entered into a joint venture with the Aklan State University for the Associate in Health Science Education and Bachelor of Science curricular courses for deserving nursing students in the province.

The joint venture was also cited by Marquez in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) this year as among the first provinces to engage with a university for the establishment of a nursing college.

Compared with other nursing schools in the province and Western Visayas, the nursing college offers an affordable education for the less fortunate students in the rural areas. This is in support of Marquez' popular slogan, "owa it ginagaid sa kapobrehan," and his legacy programs on health care services accessible to poor Aklanons.

The province through a government loan also funded the construction of the nursing school building in 2008 inside the compound of soon-to-be tertiary hospital, the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital.

The government-run provincial hospital serves as base hospital where more than 200 nursing faculty and students of ASU and other private nursing schools in Aklan are trained or have their related learning experiences (RLEs).

Boracay Garden Resort offers promo packages
abs-cbnNEWS.com

Boracay Garden Resort, a subsidiary of the Boracay Regency Group, has kicked off 2010 by offering introductory pleasure and leisure packages.

It is offering P4,000 per person on triple occupancy for a 3 day-2 night stay in a Deluxe Room inclusive of daily breakfast and dinner and roundtrip land and sea transfers. Guests may also get one night free or upgrade to the next room category. Guests may also opt to stay in the Premiere Room for P4,471 per person on triple occupancy.

Promo period is until March 31, 2010.

Formerly Hotel Seraph, Boracay Garden Resort rests on a two-hectare property located at the center of Station 2. The resort has 201 well-appointed rooms with charming and elegant interiors. It has a mix of deluxe and premiere rooms, as well as premiere rooms with direct access to the pool and family rooms that can fit up to 6 persons.

“We are indeed very proud of our newest acquisition. Boracay Garden Resort’s cozy ambience makes your stay in Boracay truly enjoyable and relaxing,” said Henry Chusuey, chairman of the Boracay Regency Group.

Each spacious room has a private terrace, wi-fi access, bath tub with separate shower area, individually controlled air conditioning, cable television, direct dial phone, in-room safe, coffee and tea-making facilities and personal refrigerator.

Boracay Garden Resort’s modern and Mediterranean-styled accommodations are surrounded by two swimming pools, landscaped gardens and al fresco restaurant and bar. The resort also features private KTV rooms with modern equipment, gym and fitness center and 24-hour standby generators and security.

“For our guests’ further convenience, we’ve constructed a private pathway from the resort to the beachfront. This makes it easier for them to hit the beach and enjoy the crystal-clear waters and powdery-white sand of this beautiful island paradise,” added Chusuey.

In addition to the on-going renovation, the resort now has a beachfront with 34 beach beds. This reserved area is ideal for guests to lounge and enjoy the scenery while getting the perfect tan.

For inquiries on room rates, packages and reservations, call Boracay Garden Resort’s Manila Booking Office at 353-1111 or email manilareservations@boracaygarden.com.ph.

Echoes From
BY JOHNNY DAYANG

Raising the bar of political debate

The political campaign season is now and once again we are now witnessing again the usual gutter mudslinging and pedestrian talk among leading politicians that hardly contribute to intelligent public discourse.

Indeed there is a need to veer away from political mudslinging like what many of our Senators are engaged in currently in the Senate. There is an urgent need to raise and the bar of Philippine political debate and educate Filipinos on core issues confronting them and how to choose the more deserving among those seeking public offices.

This desired state of affairs involves three principal tasks: 1) definition of the crucial issues demanding resolution by the political leadership; 2) decision by the leading presidential contenders on how they stand relative to these issues; and 3) formulation by the pretenders to high offices of their address and resolve the same issues to advance the country’s national interest and the Filipinos’ welfare.

Media leaders and practitioners clearly have a big say in how this desired direction can be set. Instead of falling for the unthinking gimmickry by politicians designed to gain political mileage regardless of how puerile they may be, journalists, particularly the influential leaders and opinion makers among them can help set the tone and direction of public political debate.

They can ignore the mundane and pedestrian concerns of politicians and steer discussions to focus on the more profound and crucial issues demanding resolution among the pretenders to high public office, particularly candidates for President.

Sound and intelligent public debate among leading political leaders is necessary to

properly guide the electorate in choosing whom to vote for President, Vice President, Senators and other aspirants to public offices.

In choosing whom to elect, voters must be informed on the candidates’ record of performance in public office, their achievements in private life, their position on pressing issues, and their general political demeanor.

Opinion articulators among media practitioners should also help establish optimum level of standards against which voters can gauge and measure the merits and fitness of candidates to the offices they aspire for.

This is necessary because while certain political aspirant may be good potential for executive offices, they may totally unfit for legislative positions.

KBP Aklan inducts officers

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

BANGA, Aklan – The newly elected officers of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Aklan chapter were inducted into office at the Aklan State University (ASU) conference hall on Saturday evening.

Augusto Tolentino, station manager of IBC DyRG Budyong, was inducted as chapter chairman by Provincial Administrator Atty. Diego Luces, who represented Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez for the occasion.

Other KBP Aklan chapter officers are PBS-DyIN Bombo Radyo station manager Eril Ibardolasa (vice chairman), RMN DyKR station manager Jerome Vega (performance officer), DYYM CBIS 98.5 Hot FM station manager Terence June Toriano (secretary), ASU-DyMT FM Banga station manager Dr. Anna Mae Relingo (treasurer), Jonathan Cabrera of CBC 106.1 FM Radyo Boracay (auditor) and Eleanor Defensor-Reyes of IBC DyRG (executive secretary).

Luces said the strong and united KBP-Aklan and all KBP members from all over the country will continue to thrive being the most credible broadcast media organization guided by broadcasting standards.

“’I am fully aware that our Aklanon broadcasters - the voice and the heart of our people – do not meet often at the same place, at the same time. Everywhere, every fleeting minute – significant news to our people, to the public we serve and respect – needs to be served fresh, clear and just. That how ever meager the income you receive from this chosen profession, you are still willing to starve yourselves to feed the public’s mind, to feed our mind,” he stressed.

Luces said two events – the death of Press Secretary and former KBP chairman Cerge Remonde and the Maguindanao massacre – are disheartening, but instead of losing hope and giving up the passion to broadcasting, the KBP members were inspired by Remonde, by the slain journalists and by strong men and women who seek refuge and justice from truth.

“What happened in Maguindanao though in 2009, the brutal killing of our 30 journalists, became one of the worsts in the history of the KBP, our country and the world. It became more painful, however, to note that fair and fast trial has not yet been fully served to more than 50 victims, brutally shot to death,” he added.

KBP also conducted an accreditation exam to its more than 70 members from Aklan, Antique and Capiz and a seminar on responsible broadcasting by KBP legal counsel Regie Jularbal.

KBP Metro Manila chairman Reynante “Rey” Langit, a multi-awarded broadcaster and columnist of Tempo, Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) president Juan P. Dayang, Aklan Press Club president Dr. Ambrosio Villorente, KBP Internal Relations Committee chairman Manny Luzon, KBP performance officer Virgie Velasco and Dr. Benny Palma of Aklan State University (ASU) also graced the occasion.

Aklan’s peace and order is manageable – PNP
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Aklan police director Senior Superintendent Epifanio Bragais, Jr. led his chiefs of police for the New Year's call with Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez / PHOTO BY AKLAN PNP PIO

KALIBO, Aklan – The Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) said the peace and order situation in the province remains to be manageable.
Last year, the APPO neutralized 135 wanted persons, of which 115 were arrested and 20 surrendered. Four most wanted persons facing murder, rape and frustrated murder charges were also apprehended by the local police.
Senior Superintendent Epifanio Bragais, Jr. said the APPO registered a total crime volume of 2,508 incidents last year, 45.80 percent were index crimes and 54.20 percent or 1,359 were non-index crimes.
“The most prevalent crimes recorded for the period were physical injuries and theft, which most cases usually happened in the town of Kalibo and in Boracay Island,” he said.
Seven syndicated crime groups and gangs were also neutralized by the local police involved in illegal drugs (Moreno Gang), robbery bond (Delos Reyes Group), robbery and theft (Mabulay Gang), robbery hold-up (Asuncion Gang), pick pocketing, snatching, bag slashing/hold-up (Lopez and Ababao Gang) and carnapping of motorcycles (Ravera Group).
APPO also monitored sightings of communist movement members in the far-flung barangays of Madalag, Malinao, Makato, Tangalan, Ibajay and Nabas.
Despite the presence of two active guerilla fronts of Komiteng Rehiyong-Panay in the province, there were no significant incident between the local police and the insurgents last year.
Bragais said the support of Philippine Army 12th Infantry Battalion and the intelligence community ensure public safety and internal security of the province and the island of Boracay.
To strengthen the crime prevention, the APPO has established Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) for police visibility and beat patrols, he added.
In the illegal drugs campaign, the APPO arrested 29 drug pushers and users while 25 cases of illegal possession of firearms were filed in court against the suspects for the 67 loose firearms.
A total of 28 fishing boats were also confiscated and arrested 152 fishermen and crew for violation of municipal ordinances on illegal fishing while 10 persons were arrested for illegal logging and confiscated 12,209.40 board feet of assorted lumber worth P254,736.00 and 230 sacks of charcoal.
APPO also apprehended 27 persons for illegal gambling and 61 cases on child abuse were filed in court involving 52 abused minors.
Police said no incidents of bank robbery, cattle rustling and kidnap-for-ransom were recorded last year.

‘Marquez’ administration spells a great difference’
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – Expect a jam packed crowd to witness the State of the Province Address (SOPA) of Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez at the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) session hall on January 28.
SP secretary Odon Bandiola said more than 180 guests were invited to grace the 6th SOPA of Marquez at around 9:30 a.m. during the 4th regular session of the provincial council.
“As usual, the Aklan SP secretariat is ready for the SOPA of Governor Marquez. The regular session will be opened by Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo at 9 a.m. before the provincial governor delivers his SOPA that will last for more than one hour,” he said.
Bandiola said the governor will report the achievements of his administration and present his proposed programs, policies and projects for consideration of Aklan SP, pursuant to Section 465, Paragraph (b), (1.i) and (1.iii) of the Local Government Code of 1992.
Among those invited in the SOPA are heads of local and national government agencies, representatives of non-government organizations and people’s organizations, academe and the media.
“The administration of Governor Marquez spells a great difference with the upgrading of Aklan into a first-class province after realizing a P600-million annual income based on the report of the Aklan Provincial Treasurer’s Office last year,” Bandiola said.
As of this year, the annual budget for General Fund and the Economic Enterprise Development Department (EEDD) is almost a billion pesos, the 3rd highest provincial budget in Western Visayas.
Inspired by the successful P40-million bond flotation in early 90’s for the construction of the Caticlan jetty port and terminal, the provincial government is also offering a P260-million bond flotation to the public for the expansion of the facilities in Caticlan and Cagban jetty ports involving the reclamation of the foreshore area to accommodate more tourists and visitors for Boracay Island.
“The governor will also mention in the SOPA the accomplishments of the Aklan SP. In the 2007 to 2010 administration of Vice Governor Calizo-Quimpo, the legislative council enacted landmark ordinances, notably, in tourism, investment and incentives, welfare of children and environment,” Bandiola said.
The Aklan SP targets to draft the Code of General Ordinances for approval prior to the May 10, 2010 elections and the Executive-Legislative agenda before the terms of Aklan SP members will end by June 30 this year.

Kalibo mayoral bet Lachica : I’m not a nuisance candidate
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – Branding him as a ‘nuisance candidate’ by critics, former Kalibo vice mayor William Lachica said he will continue his quest for the top post in the capital town of Aklan in the May 10, 2010 elections.
Lachica, who is running as Kalibo mayor under Bigkis Pinoy, stressed the allegation of being a nuisance candidate following his three consecutive defeats since 2001, against incumbent Kalibo mayor Raymar Rebaldo, has no basis at all.
“I started as barangay kagawad of Andagao, then barangay captain and Sangguniang Bayan for two terms of Kalibo and vice mayor of Kalibo against a formidable opponent. I ran but lost for the mayoral post in a close fight, how could they say I’m a nuisance candidate,” Lachica said, a close friend of Philippine Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chairman Efraim Genuino, over DyRG Budyong ng Kalibo.
The soft-spoken Bigkis Pinoy leader had helped many poor and deserving Aklanons, including supporters of his political opponents, in the barangays through the medical assistance of Pagcor.
Lachica said the trust and confidence of the electorates for the past three consecutive elections will remove doubts of his capacity to launch another mayoral campaign.
Lachica’s leading rivals are Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan member and Tibyog Akean leader Mark Quimpo, retired police general Efren Fernandez of Grupong Handum and businessman-independent candidate Pablo Beltran, Jr.
A candidate is considered nuisance, according to Section 69 of the Omnibus Election Code, if it is shown in his certificate of candidacy (COC) that he intend to “put the election process in mockery or disrepute or to cause confusion among the voters by the similarity of the names of the registered candidates.”

2010 Kalibo Ati-Atihan winners get prizes

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - A total of P365,000 prizes were awarded by the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Management Board (KAMB) yesterday for the top winners of the recently-concluded Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival.

In the Tribal Big category, perennial winner Kabog went home P50,000 for the top prize followed by Libtong Boys for P40,000 and third-placer Black Beauty Boys with P30,000. The consolation prizes of P10,000 each went to Tribu Tiis-Tiis and Pangawasan Tribe while Lord Eagles and Alibangbang received P5,000 each.

In the Modern category, Scorpio 11-19 was declared winner with P20,000 cash prize, Aeang-Aeang for second place with P15,000 and Enchanting for second runner-up for P10,000 while Parientes, B-Crusis and D'Emagine received P3,000 for consolation prizes.

Lilo-anong Ati nga Mananggiti was the grand winner in the Balik-Ati category with P20,000 prize, Salimuno Falls Group received P15,000 for second place and Tribu Isalacan won P10,000 for third place. Apo ni Inday, Tribu Ilayanhon and Kinantu-ing Group went home P3,000 each for the consolation prizes.

In the Tribal Small category, Tribu Eamang bagged first place with P30,000, Tribu Osmanon Mangingigi placed second for P25,000 and Morongga Tribe was third place for P20,000. Tribu Timo-Timo, Tribu Bukid Tigayon and Tribu it Panay bagged the consolation prizes of P7,000 each.

In the Individual category, Most Original (Authentic Masquerade), Most Modern (Pink Lady Gaga), Most Fantastic (Lady Butterfly), Most Symbolic (Adan) and Most Comical (Absorongsong) for P2,000 each.

Hand grenade found by elementary school pupils

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

(Akeanon) Sangka granada, nakita it mga estudyante sa guwa it eskwelahan / Bombo Radyo

http://www.bomboradyo.com/newsdetails1.asp?ID=129491

KALIBO, Aklan - Explosives and Ordnance Disposal team of the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) detonated the fragmentation hand grenade found by pupils of Jalas Elementary School in New Washington, Aklan last week.

SPO2 Vengie de Pedro of the Aklan Provincial Public Safety Management Company said the MK2-type unexploded fragmentation hand grenade was discovered on January 14 about 2 p.m in a stockpile of gravel near the entrance gate of the elementary school."After they found the grenade, the elementary school pupils alerted barangay kagawad Rolando Agapito who properly turned-over it to the New Washington police station for safekeeping," Repedro told the Aklanforum.

Two days after, the hand grenade was safely disposed in a grassy area near the New Washington municipal cemetery by the Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Team headed by Repedro. He theorized that the fragmentation grenade was brought in the area where it was discovered during the hauling of gravel and sand.
Repedro said it is fortunate the hand grenade did not explode and hurt the three elementary school pupils.
He also reminded the civilians to contact police authorities immediately once they found explosives and grenades.
"Although it did not explode, the grenade is still deadly and could kill anyone if improperly handled. We might conduct awareness orientation in the proper handling of explosive devices in the barangay to avoid similar incidents and to minimize casualties," he said.
MK2 is a fragmentation hand grenade used by the United States armed forces during World War II and in Vietnam War. It was phased out gradually and was generally replaced by the M67 and M61 grenades.

New ambulance for Aklan Red Cross
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) has distributed a rescue ambulance to its local chapter here to respond effectively and efficiently during disasters and other emergencies.

The rescue ambulance is equipped with facilities for medical response operations manned by PNRC medics in the province. The distribution of ambulance last week was attended by Dr. Lydia Lobregat Padernal, Aklan PNRC vice chairman Ambrosio Villorente and Aklan PNRC administrator Arcely Pelayo.

PNRC Aklan chapter chairman Ronquillo Tolentino said the rescue ambulance allows the Red Cross volunteers to respond quickly during calamities and disasters. The ambulance was co-acquired by Aklan Red Cross and the PNRC through its chairman Senator Richard Gordon.

"We now have an ambulance for rescue and emergency which we could send to disaster-related incidents. The vehicle will also provide much needed emergency care to communities in Aklan," said Tolentino, the former vice governor of Aklan.

For the past years, Aklan Red Cross has organized housing projects for typhoon victims, assisted in reducing risks through its community disaster risk reduction programs, provided relief assistance to some 8,500 families and blood letting activities with government disaster agencies in the province.

In June 2008, Aklan was hit with one of its worst disasters when typhoon Frank caused massive flooding and the destruction of homes, agricultural crops and infrastructures.

In response to typhoon struck areas in the province, Gordon turned over more than 600 shelters last year and has launched the emergency response vehicles, rescue boats and vans, motorcycles and fire trucks of PNRC to enhance the rescue and response capabilities nationwide.

Aklan Red Cross is part of the largest voluntary organisation in the world, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which has 100 million volunteers in 187 countries.

'Kapihan sa Aklan' has a new home

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

After spending close to two years in Kusina sa Kalibo Restaurant, the weekly Kapihan sa Aklan held its maiden forum in a new venue for the local media and people from all walks of life to discuss relevant issues in the society.

Kapihan sa Aklan managing director William Arguelles said that since its launching on March 23, 2008, the weekly forum has gained recognition in Aklan and across the country for institutionalizing the no-holds barred discussion of a wide range of topics.

"Every Saturday, over a cup of coffee and pandesal, the Kapihan hosted a number of politicians, non-government organizations, businessmen, doctors, engineers, teachers, health workers and government officials," Arguelles said.

With the enduring support of Aklan Press Club, Aklan Media Forum and the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI), Arguelles thanked the management of Kusina sa Kalibo owned by Jesus Lim for the excellent accommodation and partnership during the weekly media forum.

"In the Kapihan, the audience are not necessarily the media practitioners, there are tricycle drivers, out-of-school youths and oldies participating in the wider discussion of issues affecting the community," Arguelles stressed.

Over the weekend, the media practitioners in Aklan and the Mass Communication students of Northwestern Visayan Colleges, in full force, gathered once again, this time, in Smokehauz Restaurant along Goding Ramos Street owned and managed by Engr. Santos David, to tackle the growing micro small medium enterprises with the Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc. and the Department of Trade and Industry representatives.

Joining the Saturday discussion were Aklan Press Club president Dr. Ambrosio Villorente, former Vice Governor Ronquillo Tolentino, Dr. Gabriel Delfin, Secretary to the Sanggunian Odon Bandiola, Madyaas Pen columnist Ernesto Solidum, Bombo Radyo Kalibo assistant manager Jomer Soriano, CBIS Hot FM anchorman Roben Laserna, Conrad Indelible of RGMA DyRU Super Radyo, Arnel Arrieta of Radyo Boracay, Jethro Laserna of Aklan Media Forum, Aklan Headline publisher Che Indelible, Jun Ariolo Aguirre of Hala Birada, Joselito Edwin Ramos of Philippine Information Agency and Lito Motus of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Tourism Council.

In the words of PAPI president Johnny Dayang, the Kapihan sa Aklan is the uninhibited and free-flowing swapping of views that aims to gauge public sentiments and feel the real pulse of the people and will serve as a feedback mechanism for the government to enable it to strengthen the delivery of vital services to the people and forge stronger and closer rapport.

Gov Lito to deliver his State of the Province Address

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

http://www.bomboradyo.com/newsdetails1.asp?ID=129281

KALIBO, Aklan - Governor Carlito Marquez will deliver his State of the Province Address (SOPA) on January 28 to report his administration's achievements and plans at the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall.

Marquez, who happens to deliver his sixth SOPA since he assumed the leadership of the province in 2004, will focus on agriculture, tourism, health, infrastructures, peace and order, environment, fishery, social services and welfare, employment generation, investments, education and sports development.

Among the breakthroughs of his administration are the passage and approval of the P949-million 2010 budget of the provincial government and the all-time high tourist arrivals of 649,559 last year in Boracay Island, of which foreigners accounted 192,873 and domestic tourists posted 432,271 arrivals.

Marquez partnered with Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores to build a greater Aklan and worked in solidarity and harmonious relationship with the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo to deliver the services and much-needed investments for the province.

In collaboration with the legislative council, the province enacted the Aklan Tourism Code, Aklan Environment Code and the Aklan Children's Code last year, showing the high regard of the local officials to the protection of environment, growth and welfare of children and tourism as the anchor industry that will propel Aklan's development and progress.

The governor also linked arms with Miraflores on vital projects for the province, among others, the farm-to-market roads, aiport development of Kalibo, irrigation projects and primary health care services.

Last year, Marquez envisioned the progressive province to implement high-impact projects to generate P1-billion revenues to the government coffers from 2009 to 2013. A P500-milllion Aklan Marina project is being eyed for the construction of a resort and spa, an ocean adventure park and cable car transport system facilities and the building of a 100-room hotel health and wellness center in the next five years.

Marquez, in the last SOPA of his second term in office, also pursued the vision for Aklan to become an investment-friendly province by supporting the mega project P2.507-billion Caticlan airport development, opening of new roll-on roll-off route in New Washington, Aklan and the biomass-fueled plant of Asea One Power Corporation in Banga, Aklan.

To fully implement health reforms and programs, Marquez also implemented the P1.014-billion five-year Province-wide Investment Plan for Health (PIPH) backed by international support agencies and partners of the Department of Health (DoH).

Kalibo BFP gets new fire truck
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The brand new fire truck of Kalibo fire station donated by the Department of Interior and Local Government through the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) / PHOTO BY BOY RYAN ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - To improve the firefighting operations, the town of Kalibo received a new fire truck from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) national headquarters.

Kalibo mayor Raymar Rebaldo said the 1,000 gallon-capacity water truck will augment the existing firetrucks of BFP-Kalibo to secure the safety of the public especially when fire break out in the capital town of Aklan, the center of education, trade and commerce.

"It is our commitment to upgrade the firefighting facility and capability of the firefighters. We are lucky and thankful to BFP for the new Isuzu fire truck costing P9-million. The fire truck was received by Fire Marshal Patricio Collado and his two men in the BFP headquarters," he said.

Rebaldo also expressed his gratitude for the additional P500,000 from BFP earmarked for the construction of new building of Kalibo fire station in Bliss Site. BFP-Kalibo is presently situated beside the municipal town hall building.

Out of the 17 towns in the province, there are seven fire protection offices with fire trucks including the local fire bureau in Boracay Island.

A fire recently hit the heavily populated area of C. Laserna last year. At least 300 to 400 houses were affected by the blaze and no casualties have been reported.

BFP has intensified its year-round fire safety awareness campaign to address the increasing number of fire incidence resulting in substantial losses in property, lives and economic opportunities.

Boracay Regency surges to over 600 rooms, suites

The Boracay Regency Group has further firmed up its distinction as the biggest luxury hotel group in the country’s most famous island destination.
This developed as the group, owner of the 285-room Boracay Regency Beach Resort, acquired the nearby 201-room Seraph Hotel even while completing the construction of the 120-room Regency Lagoon Resort as part of its planned expansion for 2009, thus bringing total capacity to over 600 rooms and suites.
However, the group’s acquisition of the Seraph Hotel has pushed the scheduled opening of the Regency Lagoon Resort from this December to April next year.
“The postponement will enable us to put everything in order since we suddenly have two new large facilities to attend to at the same time,” said Boracay Regency chairman and president Henry Chusuey.
“Seraph Hotel will then be renamed Boracay Garden Hotel, while the other with a 1,200-square-meter pool will be named Regency Lagoon Resort as planned,” Chusuey added.
Another 150 employees will be hired for Boracay Garden Hotel and 250 for the Regency Lagoon Resort in addition to Boracay Regency Resort’s current workforce of 550. This will bring the number of personnel to nearly a thousand.
“This (number of personnel) makes Boracay Regency certainly the biggest employer on the island,” Chusuey said.
“Our huge workforce is an assurance that guests receive the highest possible quality of service,” said Boracay Regency resort manager Dindo Miguel Martin Salazar.
“In the housekeeping department, for example, we always have a standby crew to immediately attend to urgent and unexpected requests of guests to make up their rooms,” Salazar said.
Nevertheless, Boracay Regency’s unusually large manpower contingent is very visible all over the place, from the airport to the land and sea transfers and in and around the hotel complex itself, all eager to assist guests.
The hotel has its own speedboats to ferry guests comfortably from Caticlan in just 10 minutes and vans to bring them from the island’s docking area to the biggest air-conditioned lobby on the island, from where they are then ushered into their respective elegant and luxurious rooms and suites.
The hotel has four types of guest rooms — superior, deluxe, premier and family. But there are two types of premier rooms — one with direct access to the pool and another without.
The hotel also has four types of suites — junior, executive, honeymoon and royal/presidential. Junior suites are also further classified into those with access to the pool and those without. There are actually three massive, crystalline swimming pools, one each for the north and main wings at the beachfront and another at the garden wing.
Located at the middle of the island’s four-kilometer white sand beach, Boracay Regency has the longest frontage of 125 meters that visibly dominates the landscape and makes practically everything accessible in just a short walk away.
Boracay Regency also has a grand ballroom, function rooms, fitness facilities, VIP lounge, business center, convenience store, and eight bars and restaurants that include a sunken garden pool bar.
The hotel’s Kai Regency Spa has separate Asian-inspired rooms for various health and wellness treatments, including Thai massage.
The hotel provides services such as airport transfer, laundry, island-activity booking, foreign exchange, uninterrupted water and power supply, and 24-hour security, among others
The hotel is surrounded by many aqua sports shops, shopping areas, entertainment establishments, and many other facilities that include even a golf course, helipads for chopper tours, a hospital, wet market, Internet cafés, and business offices, making it a truly complete destination for tourists from all over the world.
Such prime location, elegant amenities and excellent service have earned for Boracay Regency the first “triple A” rating among the hotels at the beachfront of the island during its first year in 1998 when it started out with only 43 luxury rooms. “Triple A” is the highest rating given by the Department of Tourism to deserving hotels in the resort category.
No wonder there are chartered flights to Kalibo from the cities of Incheon in Korea, Taipei in

Taiwan, and Shanghai and Guangzhou in China, all bringing in volumes of tourists to Boracay Regency.
The longest staying foreign guests are Russians, Australians, Canadians and British, but many guests also come from companies in Manila, Cebu and Davao.
“They take advantage of the hotel’s many facilities that cater to corporate events like marketing conventions, industry meetings and conferences, product workshops and seminars, and team-building activities, among many others,” said banquet and events manager Michelle Joven Molano.
“Our modern three-story convention center is the biggest on the island and can accommodate 1,000 guests. It also has six meeting rooms for various functions, all equipped with the latest audio-visual amenities, Wi-Fi high-speed Internet services, and even sound-proof facilities for breakout sessions,” Molano added.
For reservations or inquiries, call Boracay Regency’s Manila office at (632) 523-1234, e-mail at rsvn@boracayregency.com or visit www.boracayregency.com. The Philippine Star

Aklan PNP: 11 political candidates apply for security escorts
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – Eleven personalities in the province are applying for police security escorts from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the upcoming national and local elections on May 10, 2010.
Aklan police provincial director Senior Superintendent Epifanio Bragais Jr. said the 10 political candidates and a public official filed their applications under oath to the regional security control desks chaired by the Comelec regional election director.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 8714, a candidate for public office, including incumbent public officer, and private individual, may, upon application, be assigned regular members of the Philippine National Police or the Armed Forces of the Philippines or the National Bureau of Investigation, and as augmentation, duly license/authorized Protective Agents of private Detective Agencies, to provide security for the duration of the election period.
“Only two police security escorts may be assigned to political candidates running for mayor and up and at all times, the escorts deputized by the poll body should wear proper uniforms, If the situation warrants, they could re-apply for two additional protective agents for security,” the police director said.
Bragais stressed local candidates for vice mayor to councilors are also allowed to hire two security personnel from protective security and detective agencies.
Meanwhile, Comelec also issued a resolution banning candidates and private individuals to carry firearms during the election period from January 10, 2010 to June 9, 2010.
Bragais said at least three persons, including a jail officer, were apprehended across the province by the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) in the nationwide gun ban imposed by the Comelec.

Another police officer was also investigated for carrying firearms without his prescribed uniform and was involved in a shooting incident injuring two civilians during the Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival. The police officer is under the custody of the Kalibo police chief Senior Insp. Arnolito Laguerta, he added.

“Aklan PNP is strictly implementing Comelec Resolution No. 8714 for the total gun ban for the duration of the election period. Only members of the PNP and the AFP are authorized carry, bear and transport firearms while in prescribed uniform and during the actual performance of their official duties,” he said.

The Ati-Atihan Festival

ROSES & THORNS

BY ALEJANDRO R. ROCES (The Philippine Star)

The incessant shouting of "Hala Bira!’ and "Viva Santo Niño" and the continuous pounding of drums will reverberate through the air and Filipino Catholics will once more congregate in this tiny island called Panay as they commemorate the Ati-Atihan Festival.

Held every third week of January, the Ati-Atihan is said to be the wildest among Philippine fiestas and considered as the Mother of all Philippine festivals. Participants paint their faces with black soot and wear brightly-colored costumes as they participate in this week-long occasion marked with processions, parades, street-dancing, and merry-making in honor of the Santo Niño.

The Santo Niño has long been the object of devotion of Filipinos ever since an image was first given as a gift to Juana, Queen of Cebu, in 1521. Amidst the lavish celebration, the Ati-Atihan seems to only show revelry.

A closer look, however, shows that it has historic origins. A 13th century event explains the origins of the festival. Long before the Spaniards came to the Philippine islands, a small group of Malay datus, fleeing Borneo, arrived on Panay. The original inhabitants of Panay, the Ati, a small and dark, kinky-haired people, sold to the immigrants a small piece of land and allowed them to settle in the lowlands.

Sometime in the distant past, strong rains wiped out the hillside crops of the Atis. Left with no choice, the Atis came down from the highlands to ask for food from the foreign settlers. Blessed with a good harvest, the lowlanders shared their food with the black, kinky-haired people.

The Atis danced and sang in gratitude for the helping hand. Since then, the Atis come down yearly to ritually solicit food through song and dance.

The lighter-skinned Maraynon, as the Borneans came to be known, got into the spirit of the newly-established friendship by painting their faces with soot and aped the dance of the Atis. Thus the name Ati-Atihan was born. Ati-Atihan means "make-believe Atis" or "to be like an Ati."

The coming of the Sto. Niño into the fiesta started with the arrival of the Spaniards to the Philippines. A Spanish representative, Don Antonio Flores, the first encomendero of Aklan, made arrangements with the local leaders of the Atis and the leader of the immigrants from Borneo to have the then existing native celebration be dedicated to the Santo Niño.

The early years of the Spanish colonial rule were marked by turmoil and unrest as other tribes defied the Spanish occupation of the islands. This included frequent battles with what the Spaniards called Chinese and Muslim pirates; and, it was during one of these battles that another version of how the Ati-Atihan came to be started.

Muslim pirates raided a fort named after the Santo Niño. Fighting valiantly, the cannoneers drove the raiders away. When the smoke of battle cleared, the people went to the fort and shouted "Viva Santo Niño!" When the cannoneers emerged, they were black because of the smoke from the cannons. And the people said they looked like Atis. Hence, the word "Ati-Atihan."

Since then, the people celebrate this event by painting themselves black like Atis and shouting "Viva Santo Niño!" and "Hala Bira!" (like telling the cannoneers to shoot).

Over the years, the Ati-Atihan Festival has grown to be a little more complicated and has now become a mixture of Catholic ritual, social activity, indigenous drama and tourist attraction. The Ati-Atihan Festival has become so popular that it has spawned similar fiestas all over the Visayas region.

Now there is the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo, the Sinulog of Cebu and the Binirayan and Handugan Festivals in Antique. In spite of the remoteness of the places where they are held, these fiestas continue to attract multitudes of devotees and revelers alike.

This only shows proof of the Filipino’s unsinkable spirit; that despite the many adversities he is facing, the sun will still shine the next day and he will continue to live life to the fullest.

Manila Water, PTA tie up for Boracay water project
BY ZINNIA D. DELA PENA (The Philippine Star)

Boracay Island Water Co. Inc. (BIWC), a joint venture between Ayala-led utility firm Manila Water Co. Inc. and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) was granted a certificate of incorporation by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Initially capitalized at P300 million, BIWC bagged a 25-year contract to operate and manage the water and sewerage services system on Boracay Island. The contract is renewable for another 25 years.
Manila Water owns 80 percent of BIWC while the remaining 20 percent is held by the PTA.
Total cost for the 25-year undertaking in Boraca was initially estimated at P1.2 billion. Of this amount, P1 billion will be invested in the first year alone to boost water supply capacity from the present two million liters a day to six million liters daily.
BIWC will spend an initial P250 million to upgrade PTA’s two water pumping stations and lay 8.5 kilometers of pipes to make clean water available to Boracay residents and tourists 24 hours a day.
At present, there are 3,500 water connections, 700 of which are owned by commercial establishments in Boracay.
Manila Water currently has an existing concession in the East Zone of Metro Manila with a customer base of around 5.6 million people. Since the start of operations in 1997, the company has already increased 24-hour water coverage to 99 percent from 26 percent and reduced water losses from 63 percent to less than 20 percent at present.
Sewerage coverage in the East concession area has likewise increased by more than 500 percent from only three percent at the start of the concession period to 16 percent at yearend 2008.
Manila Water has acquired 100 percent of AAA Water Corp., which services the water requirements of the entire Cabuyao, STa. Rosa city and Binan areas.
Overseas, Manila Water’s portfolio include projects in Tiripur, India and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

Politicians 'rule' Kalibo Ati-atihan fest
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Politicians took advantage of the annual Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival out to win the people's votes.

Senator Manny Villar, dressed in orange shirt, and his senatorial candidates - Susan Ople, lawyer Gwen Pimentel, lawyer Adel Tamano, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Nacionalista spokesman and former Rep. Gilbert Remulla of Cavite joined tens of thousands of devotees and revelers in the traditional pilgrim mass yesterday at the Kalibo Pastrana Park.

Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo and his sister Balete mayor Noemi Calizo-Cordero also witnessed the festival with Villar and his senatorial aspirants.

Another vice presidential aspirant and Senator Mar Roxas of Liberal Party was welcomed by political leaders led by Tibyog Akean and former Congressman Allen Salas-Quimpo and former Aklan vice governor Ronquillo Tolentino on Sunday morning.

The senator, who was wearing his traditional blue polo shirt, shook hands and was asked to pose for photographs with his supporters in the street dancing. Roxas, who hails from Capiz, was joined by Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan member and mayoral bet Mark Quimpo and his councilor-candidates Ronald Marte and Edgar Aranas.

Villar and Roxas, both showed up on Sunday for the yearly Ati-Atihan festival in the capital town of Kalibo with their local supporters, are two of the leading presidential and vice presidential aspirants in the coming May 10, 2010 elections.

There were also streamers and posters of presidential bets Lakas Kampi Gilbert 'Gibo' Teodoro, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Senator Richard Gordon greeting the revelers, but, they failed to show up in the festivities.

Other personalities seen yesterday were Bacolod city mayor Bing Leonardia, Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores, Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta, League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) and senatorial bet Dr. Ramon Guico, Interior and Local Government regional director Evelyn Trompeta, senatorial candidate lawyer Raul Lambino, Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez, Kalibo mayor Raymar Rebaldo, Ibajay mayor Maria Lourdes Miraflores and Banga mayor Antonio Maming.

Last Friday, Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) senatorial bet and Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo 'Ompong' Plaza also held a press conference with the local media.

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DOTC to check environment concerns on Caticlan airport
The Philippine Star

Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza said they will undertake efforts to address environmental concerns raised by the community against the P2.5 billion Caticlan airport project to be undertaken by a private proponent.
Mendoza, in an interview at the groundbreaking of the said airport project on Friday said that President Arroyo as guest of honor, admitted they have been apprised of the concerns raised by some groups in Caticlan about the planned levelling of a hill beside the Caticlan airport.
“We’ll address these concerns,” Mendoza told The STAR.
“We’ll make sure that these questions are answered and checked if an environmental impact study has already been conducted,” Mendoza said.
However, Mendoza said that the upgrade of the Caticlan airport, to be undertaken by the Caticlan International Airport Development Corp. under a build-rehabilitate-operate-transfer scheme, will still go full steam ahead while the concerns are addressed.
“Tuloy tuloy ’to. The only thing that can stop it is if a TRO is issued by a court,” Mendoza said.
It will be recalled that the Boracay Foundation, Inc., composed of environmentalists and businessmen based in Boracay, had recently aired concerns about the Caticlan airport upgrade project, citing possible adverse environmental effects the levelling of the hill will do to Caticlan and the ecology of the world-famous tourist mecca, Boracay island. – Rainier Allan Ronda

Kalibo Ati-atihan festival 'generally peaceful' - Aklan PNP

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

(Akeanon) Ati-Atihan festival 2010, pangkabilugan nga naging matawhay ag malinong / Bombo Radyo

http://www.bomboradyo.com/other_dialect.asp?ID=128375

KALIBO, Aklan - The weeklong Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival was generally peaceful, except for incidents of pickpocketing, mauling, shooting, robbery and theft, the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) reported.

Senior Superintendent Epifanio Bragais, Jr. said the festival in honor of Señor Sto. Niño de Kalibo was celebrated smoothly and orderly by thousands of revelers, devotees and tourists.

Based on crime statistics from January 11 to 18, Bragais stressed that 32 cases of physical injuries, nine incidents of theft and pickpocketing, four robberies and a shooting incident were recorded by the Kalibo police station.

"Two cops were injured while trying to apprehend a minor armed with a deadly weapon near the Kalibo Pastrana Park and another police officer assigned at the Kalibo police station was involved in a traffic altercation resulting to a shooting incident," he told the Aklanforum.

Kalibo police chief Senior Insp. Arnolito Laguerta said the two injured field-training cops from the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 were confined at the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital and were declared out of danger. He also noted a number of drunk revelers, mostly involved in the commotion, were arrested by the local police and were detained at the Kalibo police lock-up cells.

"There were no casualties of Ati-Atihan-related incidents this year, owing, to intensified police visibility in all areas," he added.

Hundreds of policemen, Philippine Army and force multipliers were deployed in nine community assistance police centers, checkpoints, converging areas in Kalibo Magsaysay Park, Goding Ramos Park and Kalibo Pastrana Park to secure the tourists and visitors of the festival.

Traffic re-routing of vehicles going to Caticlan and Boracay Island and the eastern towns of Aklan, was also implemented to decongest heavy traffic.

On Sunday afternoon, tens of thousands of devotees with their Sto. Niño images and karos joined the procession in the major streets to Saint John the Baptist that started at about 2 p.m.

RP’s most colorful festivals
BY HAROLD GERONIMO

There’s no doubt that Filipinos are among the happiest people in the world. No matter how many times calamities hit the country, the Filipino’s pursuit for happiness remains and never changes. In fact, revelry and merrymaking continue in different parts of the archipelago as many provinces and cities celebrate their festivals month after month. Just as we start the year, three major festivals honoring the Santo Niño are held in Cebu, Iloilo and Kalibo. These festivals draw hundreds of thousands of local and international tourists every year.
There are more than a hundred fiestas being celebrated in the country yearly, and most of them are religious in nature. I’ve been to most of these festivals and all these joyous, colorful festivities make me more proud to be Filipino!
1. Masskara Festival—Bacolod City
When it comes to colorful parades, Bacolod’s MassKara Festival definitely tops the list. This weeklong celebration in the capital city of Negros Occidental is highlighted by a street dancing competition of colorfully-masked dancers gyrating to the beat of Latin music. This is Bacolod’s version of Mardi Gras, which started during the sugar crisis in the early 80s, and the sad faces of the Negrenses were concealed by masks decorated with beads and colorful ornaments. MassKara came from the words mass, which means many, and kara, the Spanish term for faces. Thus, MassKara is a showcase of many faces that are smiling, making Bacolod as the Philippines’ City of Smiles since the 1970s.
2. Panagbenga Festival—Baguio City
Held every February, Baguio City’s Panagbenga Festival is definitely a must-see and must-experience festivity in the country. Similar to Pasadena’s Rose Parade in the United States, this festival is highlighted by a parade of floats decorated with fresh flowers. It is also highlighted by a street dance, performed by dances clad in flower-inspired costumes inspired by the Bendian, a traditional Ibaloy dance of celebration in the Cordillera region. This month-long annual flower festival was created as a tribute to the city’s bountiful flower produce, and as the people’s way to rise up from the devastation of the 1990 Luzon earthquake that badly hit the city and claimed thousands of lives. Every year, the month of February becomes the busiest month for the City of Pines as thousands of foreign and local tourists visit this lovely city. This congestion of tourists extends up to the months of March and April as Baguio becomes one of the most visited places in the country during the summer season.
3. Ati-Atihan, Sinulog and Dinagyang Festivals
These January festivals are held to honor the feast of the Santo Niño or Child Jesus. The Ati-Atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan is known to be the Mother of All Philippine Festivals since it is one of the oldest festivals being celebrated in the country every year. It is also the wildest among Philippine fiestas as revelers paint their faces with black soot and wear outlandish costumes as they dance during the last three days of the two-week long festival. Sinulog Festival, on the other hand, is known to be the grandest Philippine festival celebrated by the Queen City of the South. Cebu becomes the central venue of Pinoy merrymaking during this time of the year. The dance ritual commemorates the Cebuanos’ pagan origin and their acceptance of Christianity. Likewise, the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City is both a religious and cultural festival as it commemorates the arrival of Malay settlers on Panay island and the subsequent selling of the island to them by the Atis (black people). These three festivals share their own unique cultural identities as they all shout Pit Senor!
4. Pahiyas Festival—Lucban, Quezon
The 15th of May marks the celebration of Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon in honor of the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro de Labrador. The festival showcases a street of houses that are adorned with agricultural products such as fruits and vegetables, as well as handicrafts and kiping, a rice-made decoration in different colors that are usually edible. Some local folks would fry or grill these kipings to serve to guests during the celebration. This is Lucban’s way of thanksgiving for the year’s bountiful harvests. The best decorated houses are being awarded every year.
5. Kadayawan Sa Dabaw
The Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival is an annual celebration in Davao City held every third week of August. The festival is a celebration of life and the Davaoenos’ thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, wealth of culture, bountiful harvests and the serenity of living. Dancers clad in colorful native costumes perform in the streets during the highlights of the celebration. The name Kadayawan is derived from the local friendly greeting madayaw, from the Bisaya term dayaw, meaning good, valuable or beautiful. During this weeklong festival, Davao City also showcases its popular local produce Durian which can be sold everywhere in the city.
For your comments and views, you may email me at high5.harold@gmail.com.

Echoes From
BY JOHNNY DAYANG

The Aklan Ati-Atihan

The famous Ati-Atihan of Aklan, declared by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the mother of all Philippine festivals, has its “turmoil of sight and sound” in progress in Kalibo since a few days ago. The noisiest, gayest and craziest annual celebration ends Sunday, January 17, 2010.
With participants and spectators coming from distant places – including foreign tourists from Europe, South and North America, Japan, China, Korea, aside from Filipinos living abroad – Ati-Atihan 2010 can literally dwarf the New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro mardi gras in many respects.
Devotees and Aklan natives residing elsewhere make yearly homecoming to Aklan to participate in the celebration named after the Sto. Nino (Holy Child), also called Ati-Ati, a simulation of the Aeta (Ati), the black-skinned abrogines of Panay, the original celebrants.
Noted Aklanon writer and historian Roman A. dela Cruz, says Ati-Atihan which has survived through centuries, has become a byword for its “uniqueness in form, revelry but observed with piety, zeal and enthusiasm.”
Ati-Atihan participants garb themselves with colorful costumes – from the ragged to the regal, from oriental to western, and from primitive to modern,
Some of them even look like “unidentified creatures, half-naked with soot, or red with almagre, or painted with different colors – blue, green, brown or even violet.”
They perform various dances, shout, jog on the streets and plazas; beat drums, cans and pans; wave placards, blow whistles, and play musical instruments and other sound-making contraptions their ingenuity can instantly invent.
As dela Cruz rhapsodizes: “It is an eruption of the human spirit, and Kalibo, the site of Ati-Atihan, is the only place in the world flooded with humanity in Technicolor during Ati-Atihan.”
There is equality, fraternity and freedom in the celebration and when the participants meet, they simultaneously greet one another with shouts of “Viva Senor Sto. Nino or Hala Bira.”
Kalibo Mayor Raymar Acevedo Rebaldo, the festival’s principal host with Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez, Congressman Joeben Miraflores, former Congressman Allen Salas Quimpo, now president of the Northwestern Visayan Colleges, are upbeat about the success of the 2010 Ati-Atihan. Kalibo has well prepared for it.
I congratulate, however, the men and women of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Management Board (KAMB), a coordinating body I organized in 1986, for their efforts in insuring the success of 2010 Ati-Atihan.

Caticlan project is another springboard of Aklan’s tourism industry
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

CATICLAN, Malay, Aklan – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led the capsule-laying ceremonies of the P2.507-billion Caticlan airport development project on Friday afternoon here.
Arroyo said she is optimistic of the Caticlan airport construction and development, one of the priority projects mentioned in her State of the Nation Address (SONA), spearheaded by a private sector.
“This is a dream about to come true. With the completion of this airport, a lot of tourists are waiting for the planes to start landing in Caticlan again,” she said.

The President also cited the study of International Finance Corporation (IFC) recommending the upgrading of Caticlan airport for tourists.
George Yang of the Caticlan International Airport Development Corporation (CIADC) said the group will focus the need to develop Caticlan airport in support of the growing tourism industry in Boracay Island and adjacent areas.
The 25-year build-operate-transfer project involves reducing the slope of the adjacent hill, the widening and extension of runway from 950 meters to 1,950 meters, construction of 9,200 square meters new two-storey passenger terminal building, installation of navigation and air traffic control facilities.
“As a businessman, we recognized air transportation plays a significant role in the economic and social development of the country. The administration of President Arroyo, through the Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is continuously pursuing the development of airports across the country to enhance efficiency and safety of air transport service in accordance with international standards and recommended practices,” Yang said.
The entry of CIADC is in response to the government policy of the indispensable role of the private sector as the main engine for national development.
Upon completion of the newly developed Caticlan airport in the next 7 years, Yang said, tourism, business and livelihood activities are expected to increase in Boracay Island and in Aklan and open the doors to a new destination in the province for tourists.
SPRINGBOARD FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY
Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez said tourism stakeholders and local officials in Aklan have welcomed with open arms the Caticlan project and facilitated the grant of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as early as 2004.
“Only last December 7, Aklanons had welcomed President Arroyo for the groundbreaking of the biomass plant in Banga, Aklan and the inauguration of the new roll-on roll-off route of the Super Shuttle Ferry Corporation, two big blessings we now look forward to a reliable supply of cheap electricity and a new roro service that will provide our people an affordable means of transportation and will perk up trade and commerce,” he stressed.
Marquez said the Caticlan airport project and its extension of runway and expansion of facilities to accommodate bigger and more planes are another ‘big’ blessings to the province.
“This development (Caticlan airport) means more tourists and revenues, more funds for poverty-alleviation projects, scholarships for the poor and deserving youth and more opportunities for indigents to break away from the perpetual cycle of poverty, hence, the Caticlan airport development project is another springboard for the tourism industry of the province and the country,” he added.
THANK YOU MADAM PRESIDENT
Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores, meanwhile, hailed the launching of the Caticlan project of the Caticlan International Airport Development Corporation (CIADC), a private consortium of businessman George Yang.
“It took us four years to put this project together and this would not be possible without the support and guidance of President Arroyo. The project is vital for the tourism industry of Boracay to have this infrastructure be started as soon as possible,” he said.
Miraflores also thanked President Arroyo for the multi-million infrastructure projects in Aklan, among others, the new Kalibo airport terminal building expected for completion by March this year and the ongoing construction of the Boracay circumferential road.
President Arroyo was joined by Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Social and Welfare Development Secretary Celia Capadocia-Yangco, former Vatican Ambassador Frank Alba, CAAP director general Ruben Ciron, PNP regional director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas and Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias.
The groundbreaking rites was also witnessed by Malay mayor Ceciron Cawaling, Nabas mayor Romeo Dalisay, Provincial Tourism Council co-chairman Vicky Ramos-Antonino, Ibajay mayor Maria Lourdes Miraflores, Buruanga mayor Quezon Labindao, Aklan police provincial director Senior Supt. Epifanio Bragais, Jr. and the Boracay stakeholders.

BIR’s Oplan Kandado padlocks Kalibo merchandise store
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has intensified its ‘Oplan Kandado’ campaign against tax evaders in the province of Aklan.
BIR regional director Glen Geraldino implemented yesterday morning the closure order, which was signed on December 6, 2009 by BIR Deputy Commissioner and officer-in-charge Joel Tan-Torres, on erring taxpayer Fu’s Merchandise located on Archbishop Reyes Street.
The establishment violated Section 115 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 as amended for its failure, refusal or neglect to comply with the requirements specified in the five-day Value-Added Tax (VAT) compliance notice issued on September 30, 2009.
The implementation of the flagship project Oplan Kandado was witnessed by Poblacion barangay captain Mary Jean Rebaldo and the Philippine National Police.
Geraldino also issued an appeal to business establishments and tax delinquents to settle their VAT dues with the revenue collection agency or face closures.
“There are establishments in Kalibo under surveillance by the local BIR for failure to submit VAT returns, understated sales and failure to issue receipts,” he told reporters yesterday during the implementation of the closure order.

The closure order could only be lifted by the Office of the Commissioner upon the recommendation of the investigating office as reviewed by the BIR regional board. The closure shall last for at least five days and shall be in force until there has been subsequent filing or amendment of returns with the tax payment and penalties by the taxpayer.
Last year, the BIR simultaneously closed down the operations of three establishments in the island of Boracay for failure to file the required value-added tax (VAT) returns and undeclared revenues and sales.

As outlined by the provisions of Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 3-2009, business operations of non-compliant taxpayers will be temporarily closed if they are failed to issue receipts or invoices, understatement of taxable sales or receipts by 30% or more of the correct amount and failed to file a VAT return and register.

Boracay group not entirely opposed to airport upgrade
BY RAINIER ALLAND RONDA (The Philippine Star)

The Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) yesterday clarified it is not entirely opposed to the P2.5-billion Caticlan airport upgrade, saying they only want a study conducted on the environment impact of the project.
Henry Chusuey, BFI chairman and head of a five-start resort in the world-famous tourist destination, said that while they recognize the benefits a better airport in Caticlan would give Boracay establishments, they also want to make sure that any construction work would not harm the environment.
“We are not opposed to it. We just want to make sure that an environmental impact assessment study is done,” Chusuey told The STAR.
The Department of Transportation and Communications and the project proponent, the Caticlan International Airport Development Corp., is originally set to break ground on the build-operate-transfer project today but the event is reportedly postponed to Friday. No less than President Arroyo is expected to grace the event.
The Caticlan airport upgrade would reportedly include the leveling of a nearby hill, a plan that has drawn the concern of local environmentalists.
Recently, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has conducted a P32-million, 60-meter extension of the airport’s runway to accommodate bigger aircraft.
The BFI board, in a resolution it recently sent to Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez, expressed concern over the environmental effects that certain construction activities at the airport would bring.
“Leveling the hill to make way for the international airport in Caticlan would lead to ecological disaster,” the resolution stated.
“As discussed by several concerned environmental groups,” it added, “cutting the hill would cause irreversible effects to Boracay’s unique micro-climate and ultimately damage Boracay’s ecosystem, including its famous white beach.”
In its resolution, the BFI board said it “supports limited development of the Caticlan airport to enhance safety for domestic operations only.”

Regional athletic meet reset on March 14 to 19 – DepEd
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - The forthcoming Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) meet in Aklan is reschedule on March 14 to 19, the Department of Education (DepEd)-Aklan said.
Dr. Mary Ann Lopez said the 2010 WVRAA will be played in the province of Aklan at the main venue Aklan Calangcang Sports Complex in the town of Makato and other game venues in the town of Kalibo.
The decision to reschedule the holding of the sports event was made during the meeting with top Department of Education (DepEd) officials in Western Visayas at Aklan Sampaguita Gardens Resort and Spa.
"The postponement of the WVRAA meet from its regular schedule on February 21 to 26 was due to the national achievement test for secondary and elementary students," Lopez said in radio interview.
Lopez said the sports complex are being built not only for the regional athletic meet but also for future sports competition in the province. She said the Aklan Calangcang Sports Complex is almost 75 percent completed with ongoing construction of the main grandstand, Olympic size swimming pool and the rubberized track and field oval.
Aklan is hosting the regional sports competition after 15 years for some 3,000 delegates coming from the elementary and high school athletes participating in the regional sports meet.
Lopez expressed confidence the new sports complex is ready for the staging of the week-long regional competition for athletes in the region. The sports facilities and accommodations for athletes in Kalibo to be used during the meet have been finalized for the WVRAA, she added.
School and college officials are advised to coordinate with Provincial Engineer Victory Fernandez for the immediate repair of the living quarters, water connections and toilets during the stay of participating athletes of Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Antique, Guimaras and host Aklan.

The provincial government of Aklan has allocated an initial P80-million fund from a government bank to finance the construction of sports complex in the sprawling 6.5-hectares owned by the Aklan State University (ASU).

Ecological woes hinder expansion of airport near Boracay
SOPHIA DEDACE, GMANews

Every summer, 22-year old Markus Sevilla goes to Boracay with his friends. But he often complains about the long and inconvenient route from the Kalibo Airport to the Caticlan pier, the gateway to the world-famous island which is known for its powdery beaches.

This month, the much-awaited expansion of the Caticlan airport will finally start, upgrading it to international standards, said Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez.

“It will help us achieve our goal of having one million tourists each year," Marquez said in an interview with GMANews.TV.

The airstrip, which can only service small turbo-propeller aircraft, will be widened to cater to jet airliners, he added. Last year, only two airlines could fly to Caticlan, leaving hundreds of thousands of tourists no other choice but to travel to Boracay via the Kalibo Airport, an hour-and-a-half drive to the Caticlan jetty port.
Tourists like Sevilla are looking forward to the new airport. “The expansion makes our trip more convenient and it saves time," an optimistic Sevilla said.But when he learned that a nearby hill would have to be leveled to extend the runway of the airstrip, he said authorities should rethink their plans.Chopping off the hill
The expansion of the Caticlan Airport involves the extension of the length of its runway from 890 meters to 1,900 meters, in order to accommodate Airbus A320 jetliners. But the plan requires chopping off a section of a 45-meter hill on the eastern side that blocks one end of the current airstrip.

Sevilla’s concerns about the plan were raised earlier by Dr. Ricarte Javellosa of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Mines and Geosciences Bureau, who said leveling the hill would pose threats to Boracay’s beaches.

“That particular hill is a climate barrier that deflects and converts strong monsoon winds into gentle breezes that swirl and loiter along the beaches of Boracay and Caticlan," he said in a newspaper interview last December.

Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate oversight committee on Climate Change, has also warned that leveling the hill would trigger a “micro-climatic change" that will have a negative impact on Aklan’s “forests, wetland, and water quality."

The airport is located on the northwestern section of Aklan province. Tourist arriving at the Caticlan airport only have to travel for ten minutes on land transportation to the pier, where they take a 20-minute boat ride to Boracay island.

The DENR has issued an Environmental Clearance Certificate for the airport expansion, paving the way for the Caticlan International Airport Development Corp. (CIADC) to begin the P2.5-billion project, Marquez said.

In a news report, CIADC president Lino Barte has been quoted as saying that leveling one-third of the hill would take about three months.

The entire airport expansion project will take about seven years to complete, he said.

Best thing for Boracay

Governor Marquez has downplayed the protests about the airport expansion, saying the the leveling of the hill is limited and would not affect the “climatic and environmental integrity of Caticlan and Boracay."

He added, “Tuloy na tuloy na itong project. We will only order CIADC to stop the project if the DENR revokes the ECC."One of the tourism pioneers in Boracay, Waling-Waling Resort owner Orlando Sacay, also supported the expansion, saying it will enhance the popularity of Boracay as a major tourist destination.

He said the planned upgrade “is the best thing to happen to Boracay," and if there was one problem the plan would create, it would be the imminent influx of tourists to the island.“The new Caticlan Airport will bring in more tourists, thus Boracay has to be more strict in enforcing rules and regulations. That’s the only environmental concern. But if you’ll ask me, people in Boracay are all for it (expansion)," he said. – YA, GMANews.TV

Boracay redux?
BOTTOMLINE
BY MICHAEL ALAN HAMLIN

According to the Department of Tourism (DoT), international visitors to the Philippines increased 2.7 percent in the first nine months of the year. Because the Philippines has so few visitors compared to its much more popular neighbors — less than 30 percent of international tourism to Thailand, for instance — that rate of growth while welcome is hugely disappointing.
Unfortunately, one of the reasons the Philippines doesn’t make much headway in growing tourism is that tourists who visit leave disappointed.
I asked a well-traveled friend who spent several days on Boracay — the Philippines’ best-known resort destination internationally — to give me a brief on his experience. First, the good news: 1) PAL Express flies direct to Caticlan in new “State of the Art” Bombardier Dash 8 turboprops; 2) The runway is being repaired and Cebu Pacific will soon resume flights with equally modern and reliable aircraft.
My friend was impressed with the small resort hotel he booked—the Sea Wind — calling it “great” for a fair price. “Great room, super service; and a great, wide beach unspoiled by food outlets and jet ski rentals,” he said of the place. “No attempts to exploit guests. And especially no evidence of greed by the owner that will destroy the nature and beauty that was Boracay.” There are probably a few other” similar places to stay, he said, but not many.
Nevertheless, the world-traveler had more good things to say, adding that the beach and water at the Boat Station 1 end of the white beach are clean, well maintained and beautiful. My friend had praises for DOT Secretary “Ace” Durano, saying he “has done a very, very good job of attracting Russian tourists to Boracay. They are enthusiastic tourists who have money to spend and are ready for new destinations.”
Now for the bad news: 1) Immediately upon arriving air passengers are subjected to the first of several small scams. Uniformed “personnel” demand passengers’ luggage tickets.
“These ‘personnel’ turn out to be porters who once in possession of the luggage tickets demand payment for carrying the luggage.

This is fine if they identified themselves as porters and asked the passenger if they wanted assistance. Or if a clear sign was posted that porters are available and there is a fixed price per piece of luggage,” my well-travelled friend explained.
“Instead the passengers’ first impression of Boracay is the chaos of the baggage claim and the dismaying attempt to take advantage of the visitor,” he said. 2) Immediately upon arrival “officials” demand that all passengers “register” as tourists on Boracay as if they were going through customs; 3) Immediately before departure to Boracay tourists are subjected to a P50 environmental fee. In “another 20 meters all tourists are subjected to a P50 ‘port terminal’ fee,” increasing the petty harassment factor.
3) On arrival in Boracay the area around boat Stations 2 and 3 is crowded, dirty and the beach is generally commercially overrun with formal and informal vendors; 4) Restaurants are generally of poor quality and understaffed and offer untrained service. “The best of the lot are the ‘chain’ restaurants like Yellow Cab Pizza and Pancake House,” my generally jolly friend explained sardonically.
5) “Music blares out of bars right next to each other so even if you are not offended by the over amped, high volume music you could not appreciate it because it is distorted by the neighboring bar.
6) “And to make sure that the tourist leaves with a bad feeling another P50 ‘port terminal’ fee is collected prior to the return trip and a P20 fee is charged to tourists at the Caticlan airport.
“Anecdotally, the Russian tourists are generally disappointed and said that while they really liked the beach and water, the bad infrastructure and travel difficulties, bad restaurants and lack of interesting activities and excursions all combined to make Boracay and the Philippines a one-time destination,” my friend explained, adding that, “It does not need to be this way.” If it weren’t these tourists and their networks of friends could be a source of recurring income.
“A simple comprehensive fee for terminal, environmental and whatever else could be instituted and collected through a simple and modest per guest fee collected and paid by hotels and guesthouses (Of course that would be auditable and not cash.),” he suggested. “Part of the fees could be directed into effective beach and walkway cleanup and maintenance. Aggressive ‘jawboning’ by local and national officials could encourage better training and staffing levels at restaurants and even the aggressive use of health and safety laws could get the music at bars and other outlets within safe volume levels.”
Sounds simple. But apparently harder than raising Boracay’s visibility among Russians.* * *(Michael Alan Hamlin is the managing director of TeamAsia and a Manila-based author. His latest book is High Visibility: Transforming Your Personal and Professional Brand. Write him at mahamlin@teamasia.com.).

Tangalan’s Ati Bantiling is Higante’s Hall of Fame
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – Ati Bantiling of the town of Tangalan was officially declared winner of the 2010 Higante contest sponsored by the provincial government of Aklan on Wednesday at the Kalibo Pastrana Park.
Winning the Hall of Fame, the town of Tangalan bested other Higante entries in the province for the third consecutive year. The Higante contest attracted nine municipalities depicting the “Modern Tribal Ati” theme of the festival.
Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez, Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo and Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores awarded the P40,000 grand prize to Tangalan mayor Gene Fuentes and vice mayor Jed Tirol.

‘Bantiling was followed by the Higante entry of Nabas ‘Calachuchi’ and the town of Kalibo ‘Datu Boyet’ which placed third. Nabas mayor Romeo Dalisay received P35,000 and Kalibo mayor Raymar Rebaldo also received P30,000.
‘Batangnon’ of Batan, ‘Mother Earth’ of New Washington, ‘Kiroroy’ of Malay, Datu Hangoe of Ibajay and ‘Eskubro’ of Malinao took home P5,000 each for the Higante consolation prizes.
Apart from the feat, Tangalan also romped away with the Biggest Group special award while the town of New Washington won the Best in Uniform and earned P5,000 top prizes, both were received by New Washington town mayor Edgar Peralta and Tangalan Gene Fuentes.

The Ati performers of Malinao also outperformed all other entries for the Best in Festival / Cultural Presentation. The P7,000 cash prize was received by Mayor Dominador Ilio, Jr. followed by the town of Nabas for P5,000 and third-placer Tangalan for P3,000
The Higante and Aklan Festivals Parade, witnessed by thousands of tourists and devotees, coincides with the weeklong 798th Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival celebration in honor of Señor Sto. Niño.

The criteria for judging of the Higante entries are relevance (25%), creativity (30%), artistry (30%) and over-all impact (15%).

The board of judges of the Higantes and the performances were Aklan Provincial Tourism Council co-chairman Vicky Ramos-Antonino, Albert Menez, Dr. Ambrosio Villorente and Dean Erlinda Wilson, board of directors of the Aklan Provincial Tourism Council and Manolita Acevedo of the Provincial Tourism Office.

Ati tribes, devotees expect grandiose January fest

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Adding color to the spiritual celebration of the Kalibo festival, devotees and tourists will witness hundreds of street performers from the different tribes in an Ati-Atihan contest.

The festival gathers the best and the grandest tribes in Aklan for the yearly event in honor of Señor Sto. Niño de Kalibo.

The oldest festival will take centerstage on January 16 with the Balik-Ati tribes, tribal and modern groups and individuals garbed in their indigenous costumes for street dancing.

The procession on January 17 will start at 2 p.m. beginning at the Kalibo Pastrana Park with thousands of devotees joining the tribes and their Sto. Niño caros and images in six hours procession.

On Sunday morning, the miraculous Sto Nino de Kalibo image will be transferred from Saint John the Baptist Cathedral to the historic Kalibo Pastrana Park for concelebrated pilgrims' mass.

In the Modern category, the Ati-Atihan groups are D' Emagine, Parientes, B-Crusis, Enchanting, Scorpio 11-19, Aeang-Aeang, Sakanebu and Mologonians while the Balik-Ati tribes are Apo ni Inday, Bolingon Balik Ati, Tribu Isalacan, Kinantu-ing, Maninikop, Salimuno Falls and Lilo-Anong Ati nga Mananggiti.

There are eleven tribes in Tribal Small category - Tribu Eamang, Lezo Tribe, Tribu Mangingigi, Tribu it Panay, Tribu Bukid Tigayon, Tribu Responde, Tribu Timo-Timo, Morongga Tribe, Tribu Ninolitos, D' Kamanggahan Tribe and Tribu Tipon-Tipon and eight tribes in Tribal Big category - Lord Eagles, Kabog, Libtong Boys, Black Beauty Boys, Maharlika Tribe, Tribu Tiis-Tiis, Alibangbang and Pangawasan Tribes.

The towns in Aklan will also parade their giant paper mache puppets (higante) on January 13 at 2 p.m. and showcase their festivals at Kalibo Pastrana Park.

Kalibo mayor Raymar Rebaldo, in his message, welcomed the devotees and balikbayans to the 798th Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival, saying, the enduring legacy had given the Kalibonhons the historical significance, cultural pride and international renown.

Kalibo hotel rooms for Ati-Atihan fully booked

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

(Akeanon) Mga hotels sa Kalibo , fully booked eon para sa Ati-Atihan festival
http://www.bomboradyo.com/other_dialect.asp?ID=127271

KALIBO, Aklan - All hotels in Kalibo are fully booked if you inquire for a hotel reservation. Finding a hotel room or accommodations for the 798th Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival this time is difficult.

The month of January is the high season where hotels, pension houses and budget rooms in Kalibo are almost fully booked weeks before the annual festival.

La Esperanza Hotel with 33 rooms and Beachcomber Hotel with 17 rooms are fully booked for January 15 to 17 festival while most pension inn and lodging houses in the town said they are still taking bookings this week.

La Esperanza Hotel room rates starting at P18,000 for family rooms, P17,500 (suite), P14,500 (deluxe) and P11,500 for standard rooms for the three-day hotel accommodation for local and foreign tourists. Beachcomber Hotel also offers P13,200 for the three-day room package for visitors.

B & H Travellers Inn in Rizal Street and C9 Travellers Inn in Toting Reyes Street are fully booked and have no vacancies this weekend for January 13 to 17. Aklan Sampaguita Gardens Resort and Spa, about eight kilometers from Kalibo, has been booked solid for the festival.

A front desk staff said local and foreign visitors should contact their hotels for reservation as early November for the Kalibo annual Ati-Atihan.

Kalibo mayor Raymar Rebaldo said like most hotels in Kalibo during the festival, the rates are normally higher when the Ati-Atihan draws near with the influx of foreign and local tourists for the festival.

"As in the past, nearly all of the most popular hotels, pensions and lodging houses in Kalibo increase their room rates due to high demand of hotel accommodations at the height of the festival," he said during the Kapihan sa Aklan.

Tens of thousands of devotees and revelers are expected to join the annual Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival from January 11 to 17 and feature spiritual street dancing, Hala Bira Ati-Atihan nights, Higante Parade and Aklan Festival Showdown, Sadsad Panaad, Ati-Atihan products showcase, Ati-Atihan contest, Barter of Panay reenactment, fireworks display, procession and Kaean-an sa Plaza.

Boracay group opposes Caticlan airport upgrade
BY RAINIER ALLAN RONDA

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and its private proponent for the P2.5-billion Caticlan airport upgrade face opposition from the community when they break ground for the project this week.
The 3,000-member strong Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) vowed to demonstrate the community’s disapproval of the proposed expansion of the Caticlan airport due to the environmental effects of a plan to level a hill beside the airport.
Henry Chusuey, BFI chairman and head of a five-star resort in the world-famous tourist mecca, said their group would intensify their lobby efforts to solicit the support of the Aklan provincial government to their cause because of the project’s adverse environmental impact on the beaches of Boracay, which draws a million tourists annually.
The BFI learned that President Arroyo and other ranking government officials would proceed with the groundbreaking tomorrow allegedly even without public consultations on the P2.5-billion build-rehabilitate-operate-transfer project.
Chusuey said their members oppose the plan of the Caticlan International Airport Development Corp. to level the hill for the upgrading of the airport without the environmental concerns and problems being fully studied and addressed.
“Leveling the hill to make way for the international airport in Caticlan would lead to ecological disaster,” Chusuey said in the foundation’s approved resolution forwarded to Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez.
“As discussed by several concerned environmental groups,” he said, “cutting the hill would cause irreversible effects to Boracay’s unique micro-climate and ultimately damage Boracay’s ecosystem, including its famous white beach.”
The BFI board resolution also “supports limited development of the Caticlan airport to enhance safety for domestic operations only.”
Chusuey said the international airport should be in Kalibo for the good of the environment and the greater part of Aklan province.

Traffic plan for Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival bared
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

(Akeanon) Re-routing scheme para sa Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival, ginpaguwa / Bombo Radyo

http://www.bomboradyo.com/other_dialect.asp?ID=127066

SPO3 Benny Jones Mendoza (left) of the Kalibo police station shows the traffic rerouting map during the Kapihan sa Aklan at the Kalibo Plaza Canteen with Mayor Raymar Rebaldo (right) and Municipal Planning and Development officer Edgardo Gerardo / PHOTO BY BOY RYAN ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - The Philippine National Police (PNP) bared a traffic rerouting scheme for the Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival celebration this week.

Over the popular Kapihan sa Aklan every Saturday, Kalibo traffic division chief SPO3 Benny Jones Mendoza released a traffic advisory that will be implemented to decongest the heavy traffic in anticipation of tens of thousands of tourists and devotees of Señor Sto. Niño de Kalibo of the annual fest.

The town of Kalibo, considered the home of the Mother of All Festivals, is celebrating the world-famous Ati-Atihan festival highlighted by street dancing and religious procession every third week of January. Those affected by the rerouting plan are motorists and vehicles coming from the northern and eastern parts of Aklan, Mendoza said.

All vehicles bound to Iloilo from the Kalibo-Numancia bridge will go straight to Roxas Avenue Extension then turn right to Calachuchi road, to Fernandez Street, turn right to Raz Menez Street and then turn left to Osmena Avenue and to point of destination.

All vehicles coming from Iloilo or Roxas City bound for Caticlan will take the Toting Reyes Street then turn left to Roxas Avenue and then go straight to Kalibo-Numancia bridge and to point of destination, according to the traffic advisory.

Mendoza said the stretch of Mabini from Desposorio Maagma Sr to Roxas Avenue and the route of the procession are closed to all types of vehicles on January 13 during the Higante Parade and Aklan Festival Showdown at 12 noon, on January 16 at 6 a.m. for the Ati-Atihan contest and on January 17 at 1 p.m. for the religious street procession.

All shuttle buses and L300 vans from Kalibo International Airport going to Caticlan are also advised to use Quezon Avenue, turn right to Toting Reyes Street, turn left to Roxas Avenue straight to Kalibo-Numancia bridge and to point of destination.

Vehicles from the northern part of Aklan bound to Kalibo International Airport intending to use the Roxas Avenue Extension should take Judge Martelino Street and turn left to Quezon Avenue.

Meanwhile, Kalibo police chief Senior Insp. Arnolito Laguerta is eyeing a stricter security preparations for the Kalibo festival with hundreds of policemen and force multipliers on full alert to secure the foreign and local visitors.

Laguerta said the policemen will be deployed in nine community police assistance centers and major areas to ensure the orderliness of the procession and the merrymaking of tribes.

Hala Bira in Sacramento...

Hala Bira Pwera Pasma ! Viva kay Señor Sto. Niño !!

Aklan police nabbed suspects in anti-drug campaign
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Mag-asawa, arestado sa pagduso it shabu sa Kalibo / Bombo Radyo

http://www.bomboradyo.com/other_dialect.asp?ID=127067

The suspects during the inventory of seized items with the raiding team and the local media. The raid is part of the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) intensified campaign on illegal drugs / PHOTOS BY BOY RYAN ZABAL

KALIBO - Two alleged drug suspects were arrested by joint elements of the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) and the Kalibo police station for violations of Republic Act No. 9165 otherwise known the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 on Sunday morning.

SPO4 Clemencio Nava, Sr. of the Provincial Intelligence and Special Operations Group (PISOG) identified the suspects as 31-year old Pablito Dice, Jr. alias "Toto" and his wife Estrella Dice alias "Pangkik", 35, of Barangay Minanay, Sigma, Capiz and presently residing at New Buswang, this town.

Armed with a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Marietta Homena-Valencia on January 9, the raiding team swooped down the house of Dice at around 5 a.m. Sunday this morning.

Seized from the suspects are 17 small transparent sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu placed inside a small brown wallet.

The wallet was turned over by the couple's 13-year old daughter to the raiding team in the presence of New Buswang kagawad Redentor Feliciano and the local media.

Four plastic sachets containing white crystalline granules were also recovered from the back portion of the wall decor and in the kitchen area, 30 pieces of plastic for repacking of prohibited drugs outside the house, a swiss knife, two pieces of P100 peso bill used as marked money, cellphones, lighter, passbook savings and checking accounts, six pieces of third currencies and P5,020 cash in different denominations.

The small poultry farm raided by the composite team is located about 300 meters away from a local mall and the Kalibo public market.
Nava said the suspects are facing violations of Section 5 and 11 of RA 9165. The raid was carried out after doing surveillance for more than three weeks of the activities and premises of the suspects including a test buy operation on January 8, the police said.

Section 5 or pushing of drugs and 11 or illegal possession of illegal drugs are offenses under Article II of RA 9165.

The seized drug items will be brought to the PNP crime laboratory in Iloilo City before the suspects are subjected to inquest proceedings at the Aklan Provincial Prosecutor's Office, PO2 Gilmore Cuare said.
The suspects are now under the custody of the Kalibo police station pending the filing of charges against them.
Aklan Senior Supt. Epifanio Bragais, Jr., for his part, lauded the operation and the efforts of the Aklan police authorities for their relentless campaign against illegal drugs.
The raid, headed by Chief Insp. Aden Lagradante and Senior Insp. Arnolito Laguerta, Jr., is part of the government's war against illegal drugs in Aklan.

President Arroyo to lead groundbreaking of Caticlan airport development
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to lead the groundbreaking of the P2.5-billion Caticlan airport development on January 12.
Designed to accommodate bigger aircrafts and the increasing passenger traffic in the Godofredo P. Ramos airport, popularly known as Caticlan Airport, the private consortium Caticlan International Airport Development Corporation (CIADC) is given by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC) the notice to proceed with the project.

The airport hosts to a number of local airlines, notably, the South East Asian Airlines (Seair), the Philippine Airlines Express and Cebu Pacific, which operates direct flights from Manila and Cebu to Caticlan.
The mega tourism project operates under a 25-year build-operate-transfer contract, involves the construction of a new passenger-building terminal, extension of the runway at the reclaimed area from 890 meters to 1,900 meters and the expansion of the passenger terminal building and apron.

Asked to comment on the opening of Carabao Island airport in 2010, Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez said the island is about 25 minutes from the famous island of Boracay by motorboat and within the 50-kilometer radius of the Caticlan airport in Malay, Aklan.
“The provincial government is leading the development of the Caticlan area, precisely, to improve our competitiveness in the tourism industry to achieve the one million tourists target by 2013,” the governor said.
Marquez stressed a P260-million bond flotation is offered by the provincial government to the public this year to finance the reclamation of the 2.6 hectares foreshore area and improve the Caticlan jetty port.

In a statement last year, Marquez and Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores welcomed the Caticlan airport development to solve the accessibility problems of Boracay tourists and to cater bigger commercial aircrafts for domestic flights.

Caticlan airport, a Class 2 principal airport, is one of the busiest airports in the country with over 50 flights daily in peak season and close to 700,000 passengers.

Aklan provincial council adopts development framework plan
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – The Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan has approved the adoption of the six-year Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP).
Provincial Planning and Development Officer Engr. Roger Esto said the rationale of the PDPFP is embodied in the provisions cited by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the 2008 to 2013 planning process of the local government units of all the provinces.
“The five year development plan summarizes the vision, situational analysis, the planning environment and the priority areas of the province. It summarizes the future plans to coincide with the administration of the present national government and the three-year term of the incumbent officials of each province in the whole country,” he said.
Aklan and Iloilo, Esto said, were recognized by NEDA / ADB as the first provinces in the country to submit the final draft of PDPFP. The provinces cited were awarded by the Regional Development Council (RDC)-6 for completing 100 percent of the final draft of PDPFP.
Aklan is also awarded 1st runner-up in Excellence in Administrative Governance, Environmental Management and 2nd runner-up as Best Performing Province in the recent Excellence in Local Governance 2009.
Planning Officer IV Godofredo Isedenia said PDPFP is the key link in the network of plans covering the national, regional, provincial and municipal levels and also serves as the critical link between the local government objectives and national and regional priorities.
“In Aklan, the projects, programs and activities derived from the PDPFP are the basis for the multi-year investment programs and for budgetary allocations,” he stressed during the regular session of Aklan SP on Thursday.
Isedenia said PDPFP’s long-term vision coincides with the two three-year terms of Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez that could be aligned with the full-term of the national leadership.
PDPFP was formulated by a technical working group designed for a progressive Aklan anchored on agro-tourism developments that are globally competitive, gender-responsive, environment-friendly and equitable self-sufficient.
The provincial development strategy also ensures the delivery basic services in the municipalities and address issues on local governance towards better progress.

Ati-Atihan fest kicks off January 9 in California

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – A Filipino community in California kicks off its own version of Ati-Atihan festival, not in the streets, but in the halls of Jose Rizal Community Center in Sacramento.
Organized by the Aklan Association of Sacramento and Vicinity, Inc. (AASVI), the Ati-Atihan festival is celebrated by hundreds of Filipino-Americans in Sacramento, Fresno, Stockton and other areas in California on January 9 in honor of Señor Sto. Niño.
The festival is the much-awaited event in California every January for Aklanons starting from 6 p.m. and highlighted by the traditional mass, blessing of Señor Sto. Niño images, dinner, parade of participating tribes and awarding of winners.
Now on its 19th year of celebrating the vibrant and religious event, the California-based Filipino community invites the sons and daughters of Aklan from Sacramento and neighboring communities to experience the mardi-gras style festival.

The town of Kalibo is known for its original Ati-Atihan festival in the country held yearly every January where tens of thousands of local and international devotees expected to witness the festive celebration with street processions, day and night merrymaking and street dancing. The event is a reenactment of the friendship pact between the Bornean datus and native Atis in the 12th century.

Kalibo Ati-Atihan Product showcase opens January 12

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

(Akeanon) Kalibo Ati-Atihan Product Showcase, magabukas eon sa Enero 12 / Bombo Radyo

http://www.bomboradyo.com/other_dialect.asp?ID=126546

KALIBO, Aklan - The Kalibo Ati-Atihan Product Showcase will open on January 12 to showcase the Aklan's competitive and unique products, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Aklan said.

DTI provincial director Diosdado Cadena, Jr. stressed the product showcase is part of the 798th Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan festival and is supported by Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc. and the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Management Board (KAMB) of the local government of Kalibo.

Thirty seven Aklanon micro, small medium enterprises (MSMEs) will promote their piña cloth, gifts, indigenous abaca, housewares, furniture, raffia cloths and souvenir items and processed cloths at the Kalibo Pastrana Park here.

The government is developing the MSME sector more productive and more competitive by marketing their products and linking them to financial assistance windows. DTI also opened One Town, One Product project to promote entreprenuership and products of Aklan's towns.

Throught the stewardship of DTI, Aklan producers showcased their world-class products in the 7th Product Showcase at SM City Iloilo and in the 10th Aklan Piña and Fiber Festival.

DTI is optimistic the entrepreneurs could achieved P1.144-million in sales in the Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival showcase this year that will run until January 18, an increase of 10 percent from last year's P1.040-million sales.

Boracay must be protected at all costs - Villar
The Philippine Star

The ecosystem of the world-renowned beach of Boracay must be protected at all costs, Sen. Manny Villar said after learning that the developer of the Caticlan airport in Aklan plans to level the hill in the area to accommodate the rehabilitation and expansion of the airport.
“Although the upgrading of the Caticlan Airport would definitely bring in more tourists – which translate to job opportunities for residents, and more revenues for the local government, we should make a conscious effort to exercise

ral obligation to reduce environmental impacts as a result of our actions,” Villar explained.
Most importantly, he said, the general interest of Filipinos and the country itself should far outweigh the interest of the minority number of tourists.
“The plan of the developer to level the hill is deemed unconstitutional because the project would necessitate the destruction of our natural resources,” according to Villar.
Quoting the 1987 Constitution, Villlar said Article II, Sec. 16 provides that “the government shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”
Asked on what steps the Senate can take to protect our tourism jewel from the threats, Villar said the Senate can only do so much. “It takes a collective effort from many sectors to protect our tourist spots, not just Boracay, from environmental threats – both natural and manmade,” he explained.

Boracay registers all-time tourist arrivals last year

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

(Akeanon) Boracay, nakalista it all time high nga tourist arrival / Bombo Radyo

http://www.bomboradyo.com/other_dialect.asp?ID=126544

BORACAY – This island destination registered an all-time high tourist arrival of 649,559 last year, according to the Malay Tourism Office.

Foreigners accounted for 29.70 percent or 192,873 of the total arrivals and domestic tourists posted 432,271 or 66.50 percent while overseas Filipino had 24,415 arrivals from January to December last year.

Out of 192,873 foreigners, Koreans are the top tourist market of the island resort with 69,438 arrivals or 36 percent followed by the Chinese visitors with 27,293, Taiwanese with 22,119 and Americans with 12,500 arrivals.

Hongkong tallied 6,501 arrivals, Australia had 5,375, Germany with 4,956, United Kingdom with 5,317, Japan had 4,813, Canada with 3,735 and Russia had 3,202.

The opening of direct or chartered flights from Korea, China and Taiwan to Kalibo International Airport and the increase passenger traffic at Caticlan domestic airport by local airlines had contributed to the growing number of visitors in the island, the Department of Tourism (DoT) said. arrivals.

Last year, the world-renowned Boracay Island had a slight increase of 2.4 percent tourist arrivals as compared to 634,263 domestic and foreign tourists of the previous year amid global recession.

East Asians composed of China, Hongkong, Japan, Taiwan and Korea posted 130,164 arrivals compared to foreigners from North America – United States, Canada and Mexico with 16,310 arrivals.
The months of April and May combined for 179,634 arrivals while September and October were the lean months with 78,149 visitors.
Boracay, the DoT stressed, is aggressively develop by the government to attract large number of tourists. The island, named as of the one of the top tourist destinations in Asia by an online magazine survey, is globally recognized by European bound tourists and Asian visitors as the most ideal destination in the country.

More cops to secure devotees, tourists of Kalibo Ati-Atihan, says PNP
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - To ensure the security of revelers and devotees of Señor Sto. Niño de Kalibo, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is implementing its security plans for the world famous Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival.
Aklan police provincial director Senior Superintendent Epifanio Bragais, Jr. said some 461 policemen from the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 will augment the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) for the festival.
"At least 200 local police from other police stations in the province and force multipliers are assigned in the Kalibo festival to boost security," he said during the Talakayan Sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) with the Aklan Police and Defense Press Corps at Camp Pastor Martelino.
Bragais was joined by Aklan deputy police director Supt. Anthony Maghari, Boracay Special Tourist Protection Office (BSTPO) police chief Supt. Rolando Vilar, Supt. Manuel Ilejay of the Provincial Crime Laboratory and the 17 chiefs of police of the province.
The police will also establish nine community police assistance centers in strategic areas and checkpoints during the weeklong festival. A dry-run of the security plans involving the rerouting of traffic will be held this week in preparation for the full implementation next week, Bragais said.

APPO also heightened its intelligence for criminal elements to secure thousands of foreigners and local tourists expected to grace the annual festivals in Kalibo and in the towns of Malinao, Malay, Altavas, Ibajay, Makato and the island of Boracay.

"We have enough personnel to bolster security preparations in these towns. The additional deployment from PRO-6 and provincial police offices from the neighboring provinces of will arrived not later than January 11. The security plans adopted by APPO for the festival will also be presented in the regional police office on January 6," the provincial director added.

Last year, the APPO was cited for its security preparedness that resulted to the peaceful and orderly celebration of the Kalibo festival.

Bragais said additional police personnel will be deployed in key areas of the town where revelers gather for the festivities of the Aklan's major festival, particularly at the Kalibo Magsaysay Park and Kalibo Pastrana Park.

The weeklong traditional Kalibo festival, which starts on January 11, is highlighted by a concelebrated pilgrim mass on January 17 at the Kalibo Pastrana Park followed by the religious street dancing of devotees and tribes.