Aklan Province and Boracay Island - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 6

spacewagon1

October 25th, 2007, 02:21 AM

Stable, affordable power
needed in Aklan – Banias

KALIBO, Aklan -- The urgent need for a stable but affordable power supply here was emphasized yesterday at the executive briefing held at Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot Training Center.

The executive briefing here was the second in a series of briefing set in the provinces in Panay and Guimaras, which is a project of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Panay and Guimaras, the Philippine Information Agency and the Regional Association of National Government Agencies (RANGE).

The briefing involved a presentation by the province of its programs of action with the aim that Aklan and the line agencies could identify areas of mutual concern and how best they can work together to achieve their common objectives.

Presidential Assistant for Panay and Guimaras Raul Banias led the party from the region for the briefing, with some 28 regional directors and five assistant regional directors who joined him coming from various national government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations.

The province of Aklan was represented by Gov. Carlito Marquez, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members and municipal mayors.

Heads and representatives of government agencies here, national and local, also attended the briefing.

Banias said the need for a stable power supply is a very urgent problem in Panay – as the island is at the tail end of the power distribution from Leyte – and in Boracay Island, because it is also at the tail end of power distribution in Aklan.

Banias said power supply and distribution is also affected by the rising cost of fuel but the government is now looking for solutions, like the development of hydro resources and scouting for investors to develop power sources.

Marquez, for his part, echoed the same sentiment by stating that stable power supply would have enabled the province to store its agriculture produce to be marketed to Boracay Island, the region and some neighboring provinces.

"We cannot operate or put up cold storage facilities for our meat, fish and vegetables because of insufficient electricity," Marquez said, in answer to Department of Agriculture Regional Director Nacionales' challenge to Aklan to produce vegetables and fruits like bananas which are highly in demand in Boracay and in nearby provinces.

The need for a steady and affordable power supply in Aklan was also the first concern aired during the open forum after Banias' talk, which was brought to attention by Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Rodson Mayor.

In Aklan, much hope is pinned on the development of the Timbaban Hydroelectric Power Project in Madalag, which, when operational, could supply the power needs of Aklan and neighboring provinces.

Besides electricity, other concerns taken up in the briefing included ongoing and future infrastructure projects in Aklan, job opportunities/employment here and abroad, agricultural productivity and support programs from the DA, irrigation services, bank lending for local government units and small and medium enterprises and Brontispa infestation control in Boracay Island.

Banias said the next executive briefings will be held in the provinces of Iloilo, Antique and Guimaras.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/aklan1.htm)

spacewagon1

October 25th, 2007, 02:22 AM

Lantern Festival hopes to revive
‘lost’ Boracay tradition – exec
ByJUN ARIOLO N. AGUIRRE

BORACAY – The first Lantern Festival here will showcase not only Filipino ingenuity in lantern-making but will also revive a lost Boracay tradition. Or so a tourism official here said.

The long-forgotten tradition is called “mahikaw”, said Judith Icotanim of the Department of Tourism here (DOT-Boracay).

During the festival, seven couples will be showcased in a ritual. They will butcher dogs or pigs and eat them exclusively.

The couples will try not to leave any leftover food – considered an act of thanksgiving to the Divine Almighty for the graces received during the past several years.

"This tradition (of not having food leftovers) was once practiced by the old folks of the island and of Malay, Aklan,” said Icotamin.

But this tradition disappeared, he lamented, due to the tourism boom in this resort island.
“We hope to revive the tradition as an added tourism attraction for tourists in Boracay during Christmas," Icotanim said.

The Lantern Festival is a brainchild of the non-government organization Philippine Network for Eco-Tourism Development (PHILNED).

The group aims to make the festival a venue for foreign and local tourists to savor Filipino Christmas and local traditions.

PHILNED is also coordinating with the Catholic Church to integrate the Simbang Gabi to the festival.

The festival will start on December 16 and will end on December 31.

The DOT in Boracay is now waiting for the official endorsement of its regional office in Iloilo City of the Lantern Festival.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/boracay1.htm)

spacewagon1

October 25th, 2007, 02:47 AM

New Iloilo airport will compete with Cebu

Iloilo Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr. said that the inauguration of the New Iloilo Airport Development Project (NIADP) could spur Iloilo's economic growth and that it could already compete with Cebu City in the next five years.

Tupas said there are already two big companies based in Saudi Arabia that approached him for possible investments in the province.

The governor said that the companies are eyeing to put up factories for mango preservation that would be exported to Saudi Arabia.

"We can realize this once we have direct international flights," he said.
The province of Iloilo could also promote its tourist destinations like the oldest Golf Course in Asia located in Sta. Barbara town, where the NIADP is going to be inaugurated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Wednesday.

"Golfers from Hong Kong could just fly to play golf in Sta. Barbara," Tupas said.

The NIADP, however, will initially accommodate domestic flights of the Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines. It is expected that the airport can later accommodate special flights because of its international standard quality.

The airport has an initial construction cost of P6.2 billion, which came from a loan with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and a counterpart fund from the Philippine government. (PNA)

source: The Philippine Builder Resource (http://www.philippine-builder.com/component/option,com_alphacontent/task,view/id,76/Itemid,7/)

al_teeway

October 26th, 2007, 05:16 AM

if you don't mind @pangyao, is this what you wanted to post?

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/706/ctcaticlanll9.jpg

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/4236/tcaticlan2kz1.jpg

re: Nabas Town, I congratulate them for winning, I've been to this town a couple of times,since my close friend lives there, her father was the former mayor of the town.

Salamat sa pagpost.. wala ko pa guid nakita ang Caticlan Airport.. Subong lang guid, sa picture pa kag wala guid ko sang idea nga may plano man gali didto nga maghimo sang bag-o nga terminal, indi lang sa Kalibo..hehe.

that's right. We need to help improve Aklan. The exchange between Aklan and Iloilo is now increasing in numbers. Trips going to Aklan is getting better and bigger as well. With influx of new tourists coming to visit Aklan and Boracay, the region's capital is also opening its doors to welcome some of these tourists to visit our place. Aklan, is moving well and I'm glad the improvement in on its way. Just imagine two international airports in one island in the future? Both are complementing each other's strengths?

Basi 3 International Airports guid gani.:banana::lol: madugang pa ang Caticlan.

Sige sige na guid man ang Asenso sang Panay.

eonynx

October 26th, 2007, 01:17 PM

Sorry for the blank post. d ko pa gamay mgpost e.

New Control Tower
http://nabaoy.multiply.com/photos/photo/2/1

Proposed Expansion of the Terminal Building
http://nabaoy.multiply.com/photos/photo/2/2

The project covers the extension of runway from 834m X 30m X 950m X 30m, expansion of apron, construction of rapid exit taxiway and renovation of the terminal building.

so when are these proposed improvements of the airport start?

pangyao™

October 26th, 2007, 03:24 PM

the new control tower late 2005 pa ata. i'm not sure of the terminal building kung kelan natapos basta all of those are already finished.

marche_newyork

October 27th, 2007, 03:44 PM

It's been awhile that I been in Aklan.If am not mistaken,it was 1994.Just wanting to say hello to my nephew "Justin" & carolyn & family.Also,to Faustino family esp.April :) wow! lastly,to my relatives there too like tiya Talina & family.Hello also to Reneben Asister,aka "badong" & to all the people in Aklan.Someday,somehow--will be there again.God bless!

marche_newyork

October 27th, 2007, 03:56 PM

I am so trerribly sorry for what had happened. It was so aweful & shameful.I won't blame you guys if you decided no to come back in phlippines.But, there's some places there that is not dangerous & you are safe. I am sure 'coz I live there before.You can go to Bohol beach or even in Argao beach.It is not that prettier compared to Boracay but at least,is safer for you guys.That was a very bad experienced! SORRY to heard that.

'Even though if (sic) I have chances to come back to the Philippines again, I will never come to (the) Philippine(s). Here it is dangerous and bad surroundings (sic).

http://www.dinagyang.com/content/view/292/74/

'From now, I can't believe in Filipinos anymore, he said as he continued to lament the mediocre police assistance, he said, they got from the Boracay police. 'Also, Filipino people are terrible (sic) slow to see what is (sic) find out what happens and blind to the whole situation. No police going around to see place is safe.

eonynx

October 27th, 2007, 05:21 PM

the new control tower late 2005 pa ata. i'm not sure of the terminal building kung kelan natapos basta all of those are already finished.

thanks sa info!:)

spacewagon1

October 28th, 2007, 10:01 AM

think this is the third airline servicing international flights to Kalibo:

Pacific Pearl Airways flies to Kalibo
By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – Pacific Pearl Airways (PPA) is the newest low cost carrier operating chartered flights in both domestic and foreign routes to landed at the Kalibo domestic airport yesterday morning.

The Boeing 737-200 aircraft with a seating capacity of 114 boosts the status of Kalibo Domestic Airport as the next international gateway, Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores said.

Last May 11, 2007, Asian Spirit Mc-Donnel Douglas MD82 started its direct flights from Inchon, South Korea to Kalibo, to accommodate Korean tourists bound for Boracay.

The first international flight from Pudong, Shanghai, China of the 156-seater Philippine Airlines (PAL) Airbus 320 also arrived last October 1 here.

Miraflores thanked the Jimenez family of Pacific Pearl Airways for bringing the company in Aklan as its preferred destination for tourism players and investors.

Apart from the famous Boracay Island, the province is the most-sought after destination in Central Philippines with its yearly Señor Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival, Kalibo Bakhawan Eco-tourism park, Bugna it Tangalan and the Wild Wild River of the town of Libacao.

“The national government through President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved the P290-million expansion of airport runway and a new arrival terminal building for P84-million to accommodate tourists and visitors next year," he said.

The Manila-based airline company chose Aklan and several destinations in the Philippines namely Subic, Cebu and Davao to enhance the tourism, trade and investments and to provide affordable and comfortable plane service to passengers, according to Eligio Jimenez, PPA Vice-President for marketing.

Air Transportation Office (ATO) airport manager Engr. Percy Malonesio, Provincial Administrator Diego Luces and Sangguniang Bayan member Gregorio Malapad also welcomed the PPA officials.

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/iloilo1.htm)

icarusrising

October 29th, 2007, 09:52 AM

I'll be going back to the Philippines this January and one of my destinations is Boracay. Can't wait! BTW, when is the peak season for Boracay?

From Wiki... And I can attest to this with most tourists coming in around October to May... Beware of the super-peak season when Boracay becomes crowded and the hotel rates sky-rocket...

As a general rule of thumb, Boracay will be in the Amihan (weather pattern from sometime in September or October to sometime in May or June and in the Habagat weather pattern for the remainder of the year. These dates can vary in individual years, though.

Partly because of its wind and weather patterns, tourism in Boracay is at its peak during the Amihan season. During Amihan, the prevailing wind blows from the east. Boracay's main tourism area, White Beach, is on the western side of the island and is sheltered from the wind. During the Amihan season, the water off White Beach is often glassy-smooth. On the eastern side of the island, hills on the northern and southern ends of the island channel the Amihan season wind from the east onshore onto Bulabog Beach in the central part of the island's eastern side, making the reef-protected waters off that beach ideal for windsurfing and kiteboarding / kitesurfing.

Most Boracay hotels and resorts have Low and High Season price levels with High Season prices generally coinciding with Amihan Season dates. Some have additional "Super" Peak Period pricing during periods of heavy tourism (usually including Christmas / New Year, Easter / Holy Week, and Chinese New Year periods).

eonynx

October 29th, 2007, 06:09 PM

^^never knew of this very informative piece myself! thanks @icarus!:)

eonynx

October 29th, 2007, 06:34 PM

^^are these regular or chartered flights?

flymordecai

October 30th, 2007, 01:59 AM

Thanks, icarus!

How much of an effect did the typhoons last year have on Boracay? I've heard that White Beach is narrower now after being pounded by the waves. I wonder how long it takes for the sand/beach to regain its former glory.

spacewagon1

October 30th, 2007, 09:21 PM

spacewagon1

October 30th, 2007, 09:22 PM

like this one - low season, peak season, SUPER PEAK SEASON. Boracay simply is amazing ! :banana::banana::banana:

rgbisaya

October 31st, 2007, 12:15 AM

like this one - low season, peak season, SUPER PEAK SEASON. Boracay simply is amazing ! :banana::banana::banana:

Does it really matter which season is the best season, of course I would like to enjoy the real nice water of boracay for everything. Question: have they rectified the water problem..i remember my wife getting sick real bad before and constantly "panglibang" and we suspected it was the water she drunk. have they solved this water problem.

spacewagon1

November 2nd, 2007, 10:23 AM

Aklan gov cites potential of Boracay Island as world's top three best beaches

Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez believes in the potential of Boracay Island to become one of the world's top three best beaches.

Citing international surveys, Marquez said Boracay is the only Asian beach in the list of world's best beaches and one of the only three beaches outside the United States to be named in the world's best beaches lists.

The other two are Australia's Sydney Beach and Mexico's Cancun.

Recently, the Yahoo Travel Members ranked Boracay as seventh of the world's best beaches. Yahoo boasts of its more than 400 million visitors monthly.

"How I wish the local government of Malay and business organizations will cooperate in our tourism endeavors in order for us make the resort island reach its world class standard," Marquez said.

Earlier, the governor approved the revival of the Boracay Development Council (BDC) which aims to strengthen the standards of this resort island in maintaining the environment, peace and order and marketing.

The BDC will be chaired by Vice Gov. Gabrielle Calizo.

Nieven Maquirang, chair of the Caticlan Port, said that they are also preparing the Caticlan Jetty Port to be at par with the international standards.

Derlito Rico of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said they are preparing for the integration of all the masterplans of various related government agencies to provide direction to the proposed development of Boracay. (PNA)

source: The News Today (http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/10/31/aklan.gov.cites.potential.of.boracay.island.as.worlds.top.three.best.beaches.html)

spacewagon1

November 2nd, 2007, 10:24 AM

Jarenz

November 3rd, 2007, 06:23 AM

For Boracay peeps...
Watch out for the new project of Fuente Triangle Realty in Boracay Island

its composed of two projects....

I will give the full details and picture soon!

bily_lion

November 3rd, 2007, 02:23 PM

^^ Any development regarding Boracay Discover Shores and Shangrila-Boracay guys?

pangyao™

November 4th, 2007, 06:21 AM

^^ Any development regarding Boracay Discover Shores and Shangrila-Boracay guys?

Discovery shores - summer 2007(May) pa nag-open
Shangrila Boracay - there are 4buildings already topped off.

bily_lion

November 4th, 2007, 11:14 AM

[b]Discovery shores - summer 2007(May) pa nag-open[/]
Shangrila Boracay - there are 4buildings already topped off.

^^ ah ok. wala bang pictures diyan? :)

alliele

November 4th, 2007, 11:36 PM

i'm coming to Boracay tomorrow with my friends, and will stay there for three days. excited na ako! :banana:

spacewagon1

November 5th, 2007, 04:40 AM

^^^^^^ enjoy Boracay! Post pictures here. Thanks.

spacewagon1

November 6th, 2007, 01:11 AM

Kalibo airport complete
by December – DOTC

KALIBO, Aklan -- Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza is hopeful that the full development of the Kalibo Airport would be completed next month.

Mendoza said they have tapped the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to do the feasibility studies and just waiting for its report.

“We have requested KOICA to conduct the feasibility study and a master plan for the full development of the airport. We are awaiting response from the KOICA,” Mendoza said.

According to Mendoza the development of the P105-million Kalibo airport shall make travel to Boracay more convenient.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) chief said they have already installed the instrument landing system (ILS) and they are just waiting for the completion of the acquisition of additional parcel of land to make the ILS operational.

Part of the development plan is the construction of a new passenger terminal building which would cater to the 500,000 passengers mostly tourist visiting Boracay.

Aside from Kalibo, Mendoza said they are also conducting similar expansion project in Cebu International Airport in particular the construction of a parallel runway.

“Due to increase in flight and passenger the terminal building will be expanded and the construction of a parallel runway is being seriously considered,” Mendoza added./PN

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/aklan2.htm)

spacewagon1

November 6th, 2007, 01:11 AM

spacewagon1

November 6th, 2007, 01:13 AM

Stakeholders seek MMDA chair’s help in addressing environmental issues

BORACAY - The Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) and Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling asked the assistance of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)chairman Bayani Fernando on how to respond to environmental issues in this resort island.

The BFI and Cawaling discussed with Fernando issues such as garbage, road safety, among others.

In a press conference, Fernando recommended that the garbage be converted into a bio-gas and "developed into either cooling or warming effects for the community water system in the resort island."

Fernando also suggested that the Sangguniang Bayan craft an ordinance to put up a four-lane 20-meter width road project in Boracay.

"Boracay is not a small island as I originally thought of. The area is half the size of Marikina although its population is smaller. By road widening projects, they could be able to ensure the orderliness of traffic situation," he said.

It was learned that in early 2000, when Fernando was secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) he provided a sketch plan for road projects in Boracay but was rejected by the stakeholders of the island.

Fernando said he would be willing to provide assistance to Boracay if he is requested to do so.

He clarified, though, that he is not inclined to accept the post of an administrator if it would be offered to him.

“Boracay doesn’t need me. What is lacking is political will needed to ensure the orderliness of Boracay," he said.(PNA/PN)

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/boracay2.htm)

reancorbz84

November 6th, 2007, 05:40 AM

^^ yeah, I'm surprised Phucket is not in the list...:cheers:

whew! been in phuket.. the beach is not that real good, marami nga lang resorts. hehehe

jaywalker

November 6th, 2007, 05:47 AM

I always love to come back to Boracay.I've been there several times.
After a long journey from Kalibo Airport a reward awaits for you when your toe touches the sea water and the sand,it feels so refreshing.

spacewagon1

November 7th, 2007, 06:12 PM

Boracay tourism receipts top P7.8 billion

BoracayKalibo, Aklan -- Boracay's tourism receipts as of August 2007 is at P7,824,967,743 and still growing.

This was based on records released by the Provincial Tourism Office here, displayed during the Statistical Exhibit as part of the office' participation in Aklan's celebration of National Statistics Month.

Based on PTO's records, the arrival of 425,654 foreign and domestic tourists from January to August of this year in the country's premier tourist destination triggered the growth of the tourism receipts.

From January to August, foreign tourists who visited the island numbered 136,541 while domestic tourists numbered 235,051. Overseas Filipinos numbered 54,062.

Of the foreign tourists who visited Boracay for the period, Koreans topped the list, with 124,613 followed by the Americans, 11,272; Chinese, 6,512; and Japanese, 4,831. Other foreign visitors came from the United Kingdom with 4,529; from Germany, 4,191; HongKong, 2,835; Canada, 2,514; Australia, 2,257 and Sweden, 1,914.

Even as domestic tourists outnumbered foreigners, the latter still generated a bigger amount in tourism receipts.

For the period, foreign tourism receipts reached P4,721,287,389.80 while the locals generated P3,849,568,506.30. (PIA)

source: The News Today (http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/11/07/boracay.tourism.receipts.top.p7.8.billion.html)

eonynx

November 7th, 2007, 06:14 PM

^^i hope next year, boracay will breach the P10 billion mark. or kanit P8 billion na lang muna!:)

-TC-

November 7th, 2007, 06:24 PM

I'll be back there for the nth time this Friday!!! Yoohoo!!! :banana:

Ex!lE

November 9th, 2007, 02:13 AM

Political will needed to address emerging Boracay woes – DoT
(http://http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20071109108084.html)

BORACAY – Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta is endorsing the establishment of a Boracay Development Authority (BDA) to oversee the priority projects and programs in the island.

But, he said, the BDA administrator should have the caliber and expertise of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando.

"The BDA is tasked to promote the sustainable development by closely coordinating with local officials in addressing the problems," Trompeta added.

The political will of local officials, like MMDA chairman Fernando, is essential in regulating the uncontrolled construction of buildings and implementing the pro-development policies in the island, he added.

Under Memorandum Order 214 of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Philippine Tourism Tourism Authority (PTA) through the Eminent Persons Group (EPG), is tasked to coordinate with the provincial government of Aklan, to exercise administration and control over Boracay Island pursuant to Section 5 (d) of PD 564.

Trompeta stressed, "those EPG members should have the political muscle and willful efforts to deal with the development and tourism activities in the island."

The tourism regional director also challenged the stakeholders and residents to cooperate with the PTA in the construction of the "stalled" drainage system along the main road.

Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores had earlier said that "some stakeholders are hampering the efforts of national government to construct pumping stations of the drainage project."

Last August, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza called for a six-month moratorium in the construction of new buildings and urged the PTA to come up with a development master plan to ensure the protection of the premier tourist destination. (Boy Ryan Zabal)

eonynx

November 9th, 2007, 03:07 PM

it's about time they form this Boracay Development Authority to govern the many facets of unchecked boracay developments.

kuring

November 12th, 2007, 09:42 AM

it's about time they form this Boracay Development Authority to govern the many facets of unchecked boracay developments.

I think so, too.

ph_matrix

November 14th, 2007, 09:32 PM

Boracay

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff75/ph_matrix/bora.jpg

pangyao™

November 15th, 2007, 08:03 PM

Jarenz

November 17th, 2007, 06:39 AM

Aerial View

Crown Regency Resort & Convention Center

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/crownregencyresortconventioncentera.jpg

Jarenz

November 17th, 2007, 06:40 AM

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/crownregencyresortconventioncenter8.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/crownregencyresortconventioncenter9.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/crownregencyresortconventioncenter7.jpg

Jarenz

November 17th, 2007, 06:41 AM

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/crownregencyresortconventioncenter.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/crownregencyresortconventioncenter2.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/crownregencyresortconventioncenter1.jpg

Jarenz

November 17th, 2007, 06:41 AM

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/crownregencyresortconventioncenter3.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/crownregencyresortconventioncenter4.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/crownregencyresortconventioncenter5.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/crownregencyresortconventioncenter6.jpg

Jarenz

November 17th, 2007, 06:44 AM

Were on Pre-selling stage right now... For interested buyers just contact me...

spacewagon1

November 17th, 2007, 11:59 AM

it's about time they form this Boracay Development Authority to govern the many facets of unchecked boracay developments.

I totally agree.

Ex!lE

November 17th, 2007, 04:15 PM

Aerial View

Crown Regency Resort & Convention Center

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/crownregencyresortconventioncentera.jpg

beautiful! can't wait to visit this beautiful island again. :cheers:

eonynx

November 18th, 2007, 03:41 PM

^^when will the construction of this new resort start anyway?

eonynx

November 18th, 2007, 05:17 PM

I think Asian Spirit is a regular one already. I'm not so sure though. We need further confirmation about these international flights. Although I have a good gut feeling that all international flights to Kalibo are regular flights now and not chartered.

that's nice! kahit asian spirit lang muna. that's a good start! another is the completion of the kalibo airport by december. that's something to look forward to.

eonynx

November 18th, 2007, 05:19 PM

pangyao™

November 19th, 2007, 07:20 PM

Raven83

November 19th, 2007, 07:28 PM

Cebu Pacific will operate Manila - Caticlan

CEB will initially operate its Manila-Boracay (Caticlan) service five times daily effective February 29, 2008. Effective March 28, 2008 CEB will increase its frequency from five to nine services daily and also begin daily Cebu-Boracay (Caticlan) operations.
Both the Manila-Boracay (Caticlan) and Cebu-Boracay (Caticlan) year-round ‘Go’ fares start at P688.
I`ve heard that Air Philippines will also fly to Caticlan 3 times a day, beginning Dec. 15th.
Great to have more (and maybe better ?) alternatives to Asian Spirit.

I tried booking on their websites and both are flying at least 5 flights a day. From Cebu Pacific the charge is at least 4'000++ for a return flight starting March 29. We didnt take it since our planned departure for Boracay is this Feb. In other hand PAL (it say there operated by Air Philippines,begins this Dec). charges us 8'000++ each for two person booking. which we gladly took since we don't wanna use the old domestic terminal. The Aklan option is actually cheaper for us but I just wanted to feel how to ride on a brand new propeller aircraft:)

al_teeway

November 20th, 2007, 07:33 AM

amigong alteewan, ano eon gakatabo na sa atong probincia? hehe
sa boracay abo eon idto mga buildings mig nga ginaobra, picturi man abi. hehe
update sa Kalibo? matsa wa ta ingan it balak magcity atong capital ngaron..

Malay is reclassifying for 1st Class Municipality. less than 30% IRA dependent. hehe

Medyo mabuhay eon ako nga owa kabalik sa Boracay pre. Pagmakauli galing ako hay mamicture ako sa aton. Galing within Kalibo Area eang guid ag adjacent towns na.

May plano man do Kalibo nga magciudad galing medyo indi guid kita kasueod sa iba nga requirement.

Mayad gali ron, daywa (2) eun do 1st Class Municipalities it Aklan. Dapat ngani kabuhay eun dun.

Sa Kalibo Makaron hay may mga bag-o man nga investment:

1.Improvement of St.Gabriel Medical Center (the size of the building will be doubled and one storey will be added)
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Alteeway/stgabhospital.jpg

2.Construction of Panay Medicare Diagnostic Center
3.Ongoing construction of Kalibo Wet Market
4.ChinaBank and PSBank will open
5.Citi Hardware will also open in kalibo
6.So far, the biggest Depot of AM will open in Numancia soon.

Do iba pa guid..

- Cebu Pacific now has a Manila-Caticlan (9x daily) and Cebu-Caticlan route VV.

- Air Phil pa guid, Manila-Caticlan VV..

Ex!lE

November 20th, 2007, 03:33 PM

Boracay
by: Josedeluna

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/bora.jpg

Ex!lE

November 20th, 2007, 04:02 PM

Skim boarder in Boracay
by: beamo8

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/Exile_NDC/bora2.jpg

Jarenz

November 21st, 2007, 03:00 PM

^^when will the construction of this new resort start anyway?

Probably this December

Ex!lE

November 22nd, 2007, 02:11 AM

50,000 tourists visit Boracay every month
(http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20071122109384.html)

By BHOY RYAN ZABAL

BORACAY — Visitor arrivals for the first 10 months in the island resort of Boracay had been recorded at 505,253, reaching the 500,000-mark in two years.

The number represents an average of about 50,000 tourists a month.

Koreans topped the list with 106,514 or 62 percent out of 171,631 foreigners from January to October 2007, according to records of Department of Tourism (DoT) Boracay.

Americans were the second highest at 11,094, followed by China with 10,906.

Japanese, unexpectedly, registered 4,405, but the surprise is that visitors from United Kingdom came in close to the number of Japanese visitors with 4,371 arrivals. Tourists from nearby Hong Kong were not far with 4,328.

Proportionately, for every 10 tourists, there are four Koreans, two Americans, one each for Japanese, British, Chinese, while the tenth is for any other nationality.

Foreigners accounted for 34 percent of the total tourist arrivals, of which 310,036 are domestic tourists. The summer months of April and May contributed the highest arrivals with 164,630 or 32 percent of tourist arrivals for the first 10 months.

Last year, the number of foreign and domestic tourists in Boracay chalked up a total of 567,421, of which 184,363 were foreigners and 351,537 domestic compared to 499,457 in 2005.

Korean tourists, representing two-thirds of total international visitors in the island, numbered 124,618 last year.

Boracay Island is listed as among the 10 best holiday destinations in Asia in the Best Travel Brands 2007 survey of SmartTravelAsia.com, a leading Internet company catering to affluent travelers from Europe, the United States and Asia .

blueguy

November 22nd, 2007, 03:03 AM

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a97/van1975/picbase800xmas.jpg

eonynx

November 22nd, 2007, 01:24 PM

Jarenz

November 23rd, 2007, 04:58 PM

Aerial View

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/crownregencyresortconventioncentera.jpg

SKy Shot Rides will be added to this project...

originally the rides will be put in Crown Regency Hotel Fuente Tower 2 in Cebu... but there's no more space for the rides... so Richard King decided to put up in Boracay project...

gen1

November 24th, 2007, 04:56 AM

I tried booking on their websites and both are flying at least 5 flights a day. From Cebu Pacific the charge is at least 4'000++ for a return flight starting March 29. We didnt take it since our planned departure for Boracay is this Feb. In other hand PAL (it say there operated by Air Philippines,begins this Dec). charges us 8'000++ each for two person booking. which we gladly took since we don't wanna use the old domestic terminal. The Aklan option is actually cheaper for us but I just wanted to feel how to ride on a brand new propeller aircraft:)

I just got return tickets for bora in december. sea air charged 8.5K. asian spirit charges the same but they also had promo tickets at 6.5K, kaso ang aga ng flight and also leave caticlan in the am. bad trip yon if one is staying in a hotel. can't wait for cebu pacific to drive the prices down :)

bad trip din couldn't get a room, any room, at discovery shores. fully booked until mid jan. so i'm stuck at good 'ole fridays na naman.

frustratedarchitect

November 24th, 2007, 05:27 AM

SKy Shot Rides will be added to this project...

originally the rides will be put in Crown Regency Hotel Fuente Tower 2 in Cebu... but there's no more space for the rides... so Richard King decided to put up in Boracay project...

Cool:dance2::dance2::dance2:

xxxriainxxx

November 26th, 2007, 02:44 PM

'Even though if (sic) I have chances to come back to the Philippines again, I will never come to (the) Philippine(s). Here it is dangerous and bad surroundings (sic).

http://www.dinagyang.com/content/view/292/74/

'From now, I can't believe in Filipinos anymore, he said as he continued to lament the mediocre police assistance, he said, they got from the Boracay police. 'Also, Filipino people are terrible (sic) slow to see what is (sic) find out what happens and blind to the whole situation. No police going around to see place is safe.

hehehe... poor Korean.

Uhm. yeah. Compare the Crime rate of Washington DC or Los Angeles and maybe you should not step out of your house. My uncle got mugged in Cape Town in South Africa, A friend's aunt got robbed in Bangkok, a Filipina living in France got pickpocketed. So what does this mean? Simple. Crime happens everywhere. To have such tunnel vision and to generalize everything is very unfortunate. You dont seem to travel a lot my friend.

xxxriainxxx

November 26th, 2007, 02:46 PM

Aside from Korea, new international routes will open from Shanghai and Beijing straight to Kalibo. ;)

xxxriainxxx

November 26th, 2007, 03:14 PM

Will be in Kalibo for the New Year's... Hopefully they would get regular direct flights from Kalibo to Shanghai, Beijing, HongKong and Singapore... my favorite places to travel!!

LordCarnal

November 26th, 2007, 03:16 PM

Boracay on March here I Come! hehehe...

spacewagon1

November 29th, 2007, 01:49 AM

I'm so so happy for Kalibo and the rest of Aklan. I hope to see more international flights coming to Kalibo. Boracay remains the selling point for Aklan. I hope they'll start looking other alternatives to offer aside from Boracay. Make Aklan the no.1 tourist destination in the country !

spacewagon1

November 29th, 2007, 01:51 AM

Medyo mabuhay eon ako nga owa kabalik sa Boracay pre. Pagmakauli galing ako hay mamicture ako sa aton. Galing within Kalibo Area eang guid ag adjacent towns na.

May plano man do Kalibo nga magciudad galing medyo indi guid kita kasueod sa iba nga requirement.

Mayad gali ron, daywa (2) eun do 1st Class Municipalities it Aklan. Dapat ngani kabuhay eun dun.

Sa Kalibo Makaron hay may mga bag-o man nga investment:

1.Improvement of St.Gabriel Medical Center (the size of the building will be doubled and one storey will be added)
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Alteeway/stgabhospital.jpg

2.Construction of Panay Medicare Diagnostic Center
3.Ongoing construction of Kalibo Wet Market
4.ChinaBank and PSBank will open
5.Citi Hardware will also open in kalibo
6.So far, the biggest Depot of AM will open in Numancia soon.

Do iba pa guid..

- Cebu Pacific now has a Manila-Caticlan (9x daily) and Cebu-Caticlan route VV.

- Air Phil pa guid, Manila-Caticlan VV..
hope to see more developments in Aklan.

And congrats to Malay for becoming a first class municipality. More power to Aklan ! :banana::banana::banana:

al_teeway

November 29th, 2007, 04:04 AM

Guv wants more investors
and migrants in Aklan

By Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre

KALIBO, Aklan - Gov. Carlito Marquez urged investors and migrants to come to the province as Aklan gears up for more economic development brought about by the booming tourism industry.

This developed after another local airline company expressed its intent to send in five flights daily to Caticlan Airport in Malay, Aklan starting December 1. Other airlines such as Cebu Pacific earlier expressed it will have eight Manila-Boracay flights and vice versa starting next year.

“The airline companies understand the economic viability of Aklan the reason why they opt to add more flights to bring in tourists to Boracay. We hope other industries will also follow through as the province gears for more economic development," Marquez said.

Marquez said more investors and migrants will boost the province’s economy since the division of Aklan into two congressional districts in 2010 looms.

“Two congressional districts would mean more funds to be allocated by the national government of Aklan,” he said.

Also, majority of the 17 towns of Aklan are working hard to become the first city in the province after Kalibo was not approved for its lack of necessary land area as required by law. To become a city, it would also mean more internal revenue allotment for the province.

The provincial government also is targeting one million tourists to visit Boracay in 2010.

"We hope to attract more investors so that it would provide livelihood and employment opportunities in the province," Marquez said.

pechie

November 29th, 2007, 08:11 PM

ang sarap siguro magboracay ngaung winter...hehehe!

eonynx

November 30th, 2007, 08:06 AM

Aside from Korea, new international routes will open from Shanghai and Beijing straight to Kalibo. ;)

this is just great!:)

pangyao™

November 30th, 2007, 05:25 PM

flymordecai

December 1st, 2007, 11:39 AM

I will be going to Boracay for the first time this January. Can't wait! :D

leechtat

December 1st, 2007, 12:04 PM

flymordecai

December 1st, 2007, 12:18 PM

wow.. me 2 in february ulit.. love boracay.. sabi we should change our habits of calling it bora, instead call it boracay.. ang hirap mas madali i-type ang bora.. hehe...

maganda pumunta dun pag-wala na yung hanging habagat papunta sa shore (june-july-sept).. kc madumi ung shore dahil sa debris and may eskaparateng nakatakip sa buong commercial strip... kaya maganda ang date na napili nyo.. pag-march to may kc andami tao super... pag-ganitong dates naman, puro koreano.. makakarinig ka ng "Masaji, Masaji" from the local masseur.

Haha! It will be interesting to see Koreans in the Philippines. Some of my closest friends are Korean(-American), and even though they're not 100%, some of them still speak to their parents and elders in Korean. So they've taught me a few things in Korean, and since I'm very much into learning other languages, I also picked up things from watching Korean movies and shows, so it will be interesting to see. Maybe I could speak to them. :lol:

But what I'm most excited about Boracay: THE SCENERY. I will be taking tons of pictures, hopefully they turn out good. And also maybe experience the night life. :D

pangyao™

December 1st, 2007, 01:09 PM

WE MUST ADOPT A NON-PARTISAN POLICY ON THE CREATION OF CITIES
[Privilege speech of Senator Nene Pimentel at the Senate, September 11, 2006]

Mr. President, my dear colleagues:

With the kind assistance of Director Terry Dumogho and his staff, we present for your consideration the following analysis of the income requirement imposed on municipalities desiring to become cities.

Just to recall, the original requirement on income for municipalities wanting to become cities was P20,000,000, a fabulous sum in 1991 when the local government code went into effect.

Prior to the enactment of the Local Government Code, very few municipalities had incomes of or even near that level.

But after the local government code came into effect and infused millions of pesos into the coffers of local government units, many municipalities breached that income benchmark.

As far as legislative intents go, the P20 million income required of municipalities that aspired to become cities, the intent was that the income should be determined on the basis of locally generated funds, that is without adding on to it the incoming funds allocated by the Code as their internal revenue share.

In the implementation of the law, however, the executive department and the local government units confabulated to interpret the P20m requirement as inclusive of the internal revenue shares of the municipalities concerned.

As a result of that interpretation, bills creating cities literally flew like a plague of locust in the old testament, into the calendar of the Senate from the House. In 1998, I was alarmed at the deluge of bills coming from the House that sought the creation of municipalities. I thought and I said so openly that at the rate we were going, time would come when the country would land in the Guinness Book of Records as the only nation that wiped out all municipalities by the simple expedience of converting them into cities.

Thus, to stop the comical event from coming to pass, I proposed the enactment of a bill that is now law, Republic Act No. 9009. The law raised the level of income of the municipalities that would become cities from P20 million to P100 million of locally generated funds.

During a debate on the floor of the Senate, in answer to a question of the then Senate President Frank Drilon, I said that there were bills for the creation of cities that had already been forwarded in the Senate. These were SBN 1803 for the creation of the city of Bayugan in the province of Agusan del Sur; SBN 1784 for the creation of the city of Carcar in the province of Cebu, and SBN 1789 for the creation of the city of Bogo in the province of Cebu.

These were admittedly excepted from the raised income requirement of municipalities wanting to become cities. The bills have not yet been acted upon.

Now, we are flooded again by numerous requests for the creation of cities: some in provinces which are already dotted with many cities; others in provinces which do not have cities, and still others in congressional districts which have no cities.

What do we do? Do we apply the Lim dictum that the law is the law and “should apply to all, otherwise (to) none at all.”

Or do we bend backwards and accommodate as exceptions:

• 1st, the municipalities or some of them whose applications to become cities were already on the calendar of the Senate at the time the raised income requirement was discussed?

• 2nd, the capital towns of provinces that are not yet cities?

• 3rd, the preferred municipalities of the incumbent members of the House who are pushing for their conversion into cities on the argument that their individual districts should have at least one city?

• 4th, the bills that are included in House Joint Resolution No. 1 Series of 2005, regardless of whether or not they qualify under the raised income requirement?

There may be other possible exceptions to the raised income requirement of municipalities that want to become cities. But I would rather leave that to the floor debates to identify.

The major financial implication of increasing the number of cities in the country is that the internal revenue share of cities would be reduced. And on the side of the municipalities concerned, their conversion would raise their internal revenue shares tremendously.

On the first implication, we certainly would hear howls of protests from the cities.

On the second implication, we would just as certainly hear shouts of hallelujahs from the municipalities benefited by their conversion into cities.

Now, if the municipalities that are aggressively pushing for cityhood have their eyes on the increased internal revenue share, perhaps what we can do as a body is to reduce the internal revenue share of the cities from the central government revenues by 2 percentile points that is from 23% to 21%. And allocate the difference to municipalities so that their share of internal revenues would rise to 36% from the present 34%. That would translate into billions of pesos that would now pour into the coffers of the municipalities across the board.

Since we are a collegial body, we must confront these issues that are brought before this chamber collectively. Hopefully, we do so before the relationship between the House and the Senate deteriorates further.

May we now proceed to a detailed presentation of how we view the moves to create more cities in relation to the income requirement now embodied in the local government code. We look at the problem from different angles.

I hope, however, that whatever we do, we keep in mind the Rule of Law as a tool to advance the welfare of our people.

See this site for more info of all the qualified municipalities for cityhood:

http://www.nenepimentel.org/speeches...come%20Req.pdf

pechie

December 2nd, 2007, 05:56 PM

Korean always..#1 foreign tourist satin yang mga yan bkit kaya?!haha!

Sinjin P.

December 2nd, 2007, 07:22 PM

I've never been to Boracay :(

habagatcentral1

December 3rd, 2007, 01:27 PM

^^ Go this summer or Xmas but that is peak-season days. Just be sure that your heart can take the heat and the crowd and the party all over Boracay.

Or if your not that party-people kind of guy, go to Boracay by off-season months. Low prices for accommodation, less crowd. The catch, its habagat season, so expect strong winds or occasionally storms.

anone

December 3rd, 2007, 02:33 PM

Bernie, saan maganda at hindi masyadong nmasakit sa bulsa mag stay at pumunta sa Boracay? Balak ko kasing pumunta dyan next month o sa January.

habagatcentral1

December 3rd, 2007, 02:35 PM

^^ Ang alam ko lang, ang pinakamura ay sa bandang "Station 3". Although mas class at maganda sa Station 1, but I think that will do.

anone

December 3rd, 2007, 02:38 PM

^^^salamat Bernie:) Baka naman pwedeng ipaki post mo dito kung may pictures ka nung mga lugar na nabanggit mo.

habagatcentral1

December 3rd, 2007, 02:39 PM

Unfortunately, nasa album ko. Wala akong digital at saka isang beses pa lang ako pumaroon.

anone

December 3rd, 2007, 02:43 PM

OK, salamat ulit. :)

ngprofflorida

December 3rd, 2007, 02:44 PM

^^ What's up with that list? 7 out the 10 are US beaches. 2 are from California. I'm sure there are far way better beaches than san diego or santa barbara. Thailand has some great beaches. The Caribbean Islands has some nice beaches as well. I wonder who gets to decide to put it on the top 10.

So far I went to Miami, Key west, San Diego walang wala sila sa boracay

speaking of Carribean I visited Bahamas island not as great compare to Boracay.

al_teeway

December 4th, 2007, 08:37 AM

Municipalities that would qualify for conversion into component
cities whose income requirement is 20 million locally generated (2004)

Region VI:
1.Kalibo, Aklan – Php41,665,180.00 IRA Share(2005) – Php45,183,221.00
2.San Jose, Antique – Php21,065,270.00 IRA Share(2005) –Php36,674,474.00
3.Binalbagan, Negros Occ. – Php20,339,950.00

Kalibo and San Jose did not apply for cityhood.

MUNICIPALITIES APPLYING FOR CITYHOOD EMBODIED
IN HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1, S. 2005

Region VI:
1.Pototan, Iloilo
2.Pontevedra, Negros Occ.
3.Binalbagan, Negros Occ.

These 3 are not converted to city yet.. maybe fails the plebiscite.
The analysis is made by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel. Kinuha ko lng ung sa region VI.

I believe that the basis for the Cityhood is not the IRA Share but the annual income. Kalibo's income and expenditures from 1998-2004:

Income and
Expenditures

1998
47,954,306.65
44,859,358.84

1999
52,964,690.95
50,326,429.24

2000
61,380,281.86
56,324,229.21

2001
64,681,180.84
67,157,981.98

2002
73,124,624.40
72,174,051.70

2003
77,130,505.14
75,338,287.92

2004
82,855,211.44
79,128,433.86

and as i've heard the latest income of Kalibo has already surpassed the 100 Million mark, which is the new requirement for Cityhood.

I would also want to correct you that Kalibo applied for Cityhood last 2005 but unfortunately, the town did not succeed as it cannot meet the other requirement which is the land area or the population. Our congressman filed a bill sometimes in August of the said year. That is why the LGU Aklan is working out to have another congressional district to increase the financial resources of Aklan.

al_teeway

December 4th, 2007, 08:42 AM

1.Improvement of St.Gabriel Medical Center (the size of the building will be doubled and one storey will be added)
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Alteeway/stgabhospital.jpg

By the way, daw nagsala ko posed about the St.Gabriel Medical Center. I was in Kalibo yesterday and i saw that the building is not just a 4-storey building, instead it is a 6-storey building. Wala lang ko kabalo kun madugangan pa siya. so far, sa nakita ko daw 6-storey building siya and perhaps, this will be the tallest building in Kalibo.

spacewagon1

December 5th, 2007, 10:17 AM

^^^^ that's good news, al. I hope to see more developments coming to Kalibo and the rest of Aklan. Again, congrats to Aklan for having 2 first class municipalities already. Way to go, guys ! :banana::banana::banana:

spacewagon1

December 5th, 2007, 10:21 AM

^^^^ same here in Europe. Boracay leads the way talaga. I'll check some more next year cos i am planning to travel in different beaches across Europe. More for Boracay, the permiere tourist destination of the Philippines. :banana::banana:

al_teeway

December 6th, 2007, 02:50 AM

Congressman Miraflores reported last monday that the Kalibo Airport runway will be expanded for another 400 Meters. To do this, they are going to permanently close the existing Hi-way going to New Washington and a diversion road going to the said town will be constructed. They have chosen that the expansion will go North because if they will go South, The National Hi-way going to Iloilo will be affected.

RED - the Present Runway
BLUE- Proposed expansion of the Runway
YELLOW- Perhaps the diversion road will look like this.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Alteeway/KaliboMAP2.jpg

METROPOLITAN_ILOILO

December 6th, 2007, 02:54 AM

^^

Wow as in graet news indeed! Go Aklan go!

I missed Ramboys yummy Liempo! :)

spacewagon1

December 6th, 2007, 06:07 PM

yohooo ! more developments for Aklan, the Home of the Premiere Destination of the Philippines, Boracay ! :banana::banana:

I think it's high time for Kalibo Airport to be expanded. Besides, more and more international airline companies are looking forward to have direct flights to Kalibo and national carriers increasing their number of flights as well. In due time, Kalibo and Caticlan airports will have bigger air traffic in the future.

Viva Aklan ! :banana::banana:

eonynx

December 6th, 2007, 06:10 PM

spacewagon1

December 6th, 2007, 06:12 PM

more or less 1500 to 1800 meters? I'm not so sure. I'm just basing it from the render only. Any idea?

eonynx

December 6th, 2007, 06:13 PM

^^none whatsoever!:)

spacewagon1

December 6th, 2007, 06:29 PM

Angara cites Aklan State U

KALIBO, Aklan - The significant research and development programs and projects, international linkages and the commercialization of its inventions, made the Aklan State University (ASU), headed by President Benny A. Palma, one of the five outstanding State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the country.

This is according to Sen. Edgardo J. Angara, Senate Finance Sub-Committee "C" Chair, in his Sponsorship Speech during the Senate Budget hearing on November 28, 2007.

Other outstanding SUCs include the Mariano Marcos State University, Central Luzon State University, West Visayas State University and University of Southern Mindanao. "These SUCs are models for development for the rest of the SUC system," Angara said.

Furthermore, he cited that they have highlighted and channeled public spending towards more scholarships and student financial assistance. They have rationalized the CHED scholarship programs – from over 20 different programs to just three major headings namely: State Scholarship; Special Study Grant; and Study Loans. The Higher Education Development Fund will also be rationalized – the bulk of money will go to scholarship programs and the remaining funds will be for research and graduate scholarship; for quality assurance and upgrading; and for management and information systems development.

The senator further stressed that food and agriculture are critical to the country’s population of 88 million in three years. They will require not just sufficient food but adequate nutrition.

"In improving food security, we emphasized public spending in conserving water, coastal and marine resources and promoting watershed protection, and forest conservation. On top of these priorities is public spending in R&D, which has the highest economic return of all economic activities," Angara pointed out.

The Senator added, "all the departments and agencies covered in the Senate Sub-committee C aim to provide food for the Filipinos: food on the table through agriculture, food for the mind through education and the means to acquire these through jobs – in science and technology, trade and tourism, and culture. Basically, this is an attempt to make a budget for a competitive Filipino."

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/aklan1.htm)

pangyao™

December 7th, 2007, 06:32 AM

more or less 1500 to 1800 meters? I'm not so sure. I'm just basing it from the render only. Any idea?

from wiki it is 2187m, when expanded with 400m it would be 2687m. hehe

al_teeway

December 7th, 2007, 09:03 AM

from wiki it is 2187m, when expanded with 400m it would be 2687m. hehe

i think this is correct.. but 2187 + 400 = 2587. hehehe

pangyao™

December 8th, 2007, 12:04 PM

I believe that the basis for the Cityhood is not the IRA Share but the annual income. Kalibo's income and expenditures from 1998-2004:

Income and
Expenditures

1998
47,954,306.65
44,859,358.84

1999
52,964,690.95
50,326,429.24

2000
61,380,281.86
56,324,229.21

2001
64,681,180.84
67,157,981.98

2002
73,124,624.40
72,174,051.70

2003
77,130,505.14
75,338,287.92

2004
82,855,211.44
79,128,433.86

and as i've heard the latest income of Kalibo has already surpassed the 100 Million mark, which is the new requirement for Cityhood.

I would also want to correct you that Kalibo applied for Cityhood last 2005 but unfortunately, the town did not succeed as it cannot meet the other requirement which is the land area or the population. Our congressman filed a bill sometimes in August of the said year. That is why the LGU Aklan is working out to have another congressional district to increase the financial resources of Aklan.

al, i think the income you were talking is the combined IRA share and the locally generated income. basically municipalities and even cities, combined these to fill the proposed budget for a year..

pangyao™

December 8th, 2007, 12:27 PM

Cities And Towns

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Kalibo airport completed in December--Mendoza
By Marie S. Neri

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MANILA, Nov. 3 (PNA)--Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza is still hopeful that the full development of Kalibo Airport in Aklan would be completed next month.

Mendoza said they have tapped the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to do the feasibility studies and just waiting for its report.

“We have requested KOICA to conduct the feasibility study and a master plan for the full development of the airport.

We are awaiting response from the KOICA,” Mendoza said. According to Mendoza the development of the P105-million Kalibo airport shall make travel to Boracay more convenient.

The DoTC chief said they have already installed the instrument landing system (ILS) and they are just waiting for the completion of the acquisition ofadditional parcel of land to make the ILS operational.

Part of the development plan is the construction of anew passenger terminal building which would cater to the 500,000 passengers mostly tourist visiting Boracay.

Aside from Kalibo, Mendoza said they are also conducting similar expansion project in Cebu International Airport in particular the construction of a parallel runway.

“Due to increase in flight and passenger the terminal building will be expanded and the construction of a parallel runway is being seriously considered,” Mendoza added. (PNA)

pangyao™

December 8th, 2007, 08:16 PM

try to see this site for the current development of boracay shangrila. on the left side of the pic is the on going construction. di ko kc macopy ung pic eh. any one ask permission from him. hehe

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bibedoggie/1310530128/

pangyao™

December 9th, 2007, 05:45 PM

Boracay starts preparing for projected 1 million visitors in 2010

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan, Nov. 16 (PNA) – The provincial government of Aklan is now starting to prepare for the projected one million tourists to visit Boracay Island by 2010.

Nieven Maquirang, Caticlan-Cagban Port administrator, said he received instructions from Governor Carlito Marquez to coordinate with the Provincial Engineers Office and map out plans to ensure that the 1 million tourists target will be realized.

Maquirang said there is a plan to float some P50 to P100 million worth of bonds that will be used to finance infrastructures and other development programs in the island.

"Currently, we are constructing a two-storey building in Cagban Jetty Port that will serve as a business center of the provincial government under the Economic Enterprise Development program," Maquirang said.

He added that the center will be opened to potential entrepreneurs for them to put up their kiosks, food stalls and souvenir item shops.

The provincial government also plans to develop a convenient mooring site for the motorized bancas.

"We will also be encouraging resort owners to have their own transport system in the resort island to ease up traffic congestion," Maquirang added. (PNA)

swahi

December 10th, 2007, 02:07 AM

when airphil and ceb pac starts their caticlan flights, I wonder how the airport is going to handle this. Without airphil and ceb pac flights, they already had their hands full with sea air and asian spirit. When I went there this year via caticlan, there were 4 planes on the tarmac. When a plane departs, another arrives to take its place. i think there are flights every 15 - 30 minutes or so. To/from Cebu, manila, even Clark or Subic (forgot na). And the pre departure lobby is literally standing room only.

al_teeway

December 10th, 2007, 03:26 AM

SP endorses new legislative district

By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – The Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan endorsed House Bill No. 2499 filed by Rep. Florencio Miraflores, creating the second legislative district in the province and amending the Republic Act No. 1414 separating Aklan from the province of Capiz.

“The splitting of Aklan into two congressional districts is seen to augur well for the social and economic development of the province considering the resources to be augmented and intended for the creation of the districts,” SP member Plaridel Morania said.

Miraflores vowed to push for the creation of a separate congressional district in Aklan to enhance the economic growth and the flow of resources from the national government to the province.

Each congressman gets P70 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for their infrastructure projects, he said.

“The time is now ripe for Aklan to be divided into two congressional districts. Aklan has grown by leaps and bounds after 51 years of separation from the province of Capiz,” Morania added.

He pointed out that Aklan has the required population and it has 17 municipalities which is very wide in scope and magnitude that one congressional seat is inadequate to effectively represent the province in the House of Representatives.

In the proposed HB No. 2499, Aklan is divided into Eastern District composed of the towns of Kalibo, New Washington, Banga, Libacao, Madalag, Balete, Altavas, Batan and the Western District with the towns of Numancia, Makato, Lezo, Malinao, Tangalan, Ibajay, Nabas, Malay and Buruanga.

“The province has made its own mark in the country’s tourism and agri-industrial sectors. With the expansion of the province’s infrastructure such as airports and seaports, Aklan is poised for further progress,” Miraflores stressed.

The solon cited, “Aklan’s population in the 2000 National Statistics Office survey is 451,314 with an annual population growth rate of 2.05 percent. The projected population is 520,199 that require an additional legislative district.”

“Despite this mounting figure of people and growth potentials, Aklan is under-represented in Congress by a lone representative that takes care of the concerns and needs of Aklanons in the 17 towns. If land is factored in, the province could justifiably demand that it be duly represented,” Miraflores added.

al_teeway

December 10th, 2007, 03:59 AM

Pagkatapos sang pag improve sang Icamina Park kag G.Ramos Park, ang Pastrana Park naman subong. gin-landscape na nila ang plaza. The local government of Kalibo is very eager to improve all the parks in the town. basi sa madason, ang Magsaysay Park naman ang ila i-improve.. FYI for those who have not been to Kalibo, the Town has 4 public plazas to visit.:)

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Alteeway/aa.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Alteeway/bb.jpg

The Construction of the St.Gabriel Medical Center (back portion)
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Alteeway/P1010012.jpg

The Dr.Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital (Provincial Hospital)
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Alteeway/P1010001.jpg

eonynx

December 10th, 2007, 05:02 AM

^^parang mas maganda pa ata ang provincial hospital nyo dyan compared sa iloilo!:lol: thanks for the info and pix al_teeway! and it's nice to know that these 4 public plazas are undergoing substancial makeovers.

leechtat

December 10th, 2007, 05:56 AM

I've never been to Boracay :(

go off-peak.. its way better for first timers.. masyado madaming tao pag-summer.. you may not appreciate the beauty of boracay pag crowded...

punta ka ng september to november.. tapos na ang habagat kaya tinatanggal na nila ang mga panangga nila sa malakas na hangin (tagalog talaga). you can also try to go feb-march..

tapos for your second time.. go summer. para maraming events and party.. then drink till you drop...

pangyao™

December 10th, 2007, 06:47 AM

nice al. its been a long time i've never seen kalibo. Go Kalibo. still Rebaldo the mayor?

habagatcentral1

December 10th, 2007, 11:58 AM

Pagkatapos sang pag improve sang Icamina Park kag G.Ramos Park, ang Pastrana Park naman subong. gin-landscape na nila ang plaza. The local government of Kalibo is very eager to improve all the parks in the town. basi sa madason, ang Magsaysay Park naman ang ila i-improve.. FYI for those who have not been to Kalibo, the Town has 4 public plazas to visit.:)

The Construction of the St.Gabriel Medical Center (back portion)

The Dr.Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital (Provincial Hospital)
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Alteeway/P1010001.jpg

Uyy, that is the place where we had our gift-giving! It made a lot of improvements since I last went there (2004) sa hospital. :okay:

Raven83

December 10th, 2007, 07:27 PM

I just got return tickets for bora in december. sea air charged 8.5K. asian spirit charges the same but they also had promo tickets at 6.5K, kaso ang aga ng flight and also leave caticlan in the am. bad trip yon if one is staying in a hotel. can't wait for cebu pacific to drive the prices down :)

bad trip din couldn't get a room, any room, at discovery shores. fully booked until mid jan. so i'm stuck at good 'ole fridays na naman.

:lol: kami nga eh we havent bothered booking a hotel but we know a lot cheap places in station3 that charges below Php1k a night for a bedroom for two,that is if one wouldn't mind being far from the hotspots

ericlucky290

December 11th, 2007, 06:30 AM

Madali la bang maghanap ng matutuluyan kung walk-in? Any specific resort that you can suggest? Ako po kasi ang incharge sa next trip namin and its my first time pumunta sa bora!

bcanieso

December 11th, 2007, 01:10 PM

Madali la bang maghanap ng matutuluyan kung walk-in? Any specific resort that you can suggest? Ako po kasi ang incharge sa next trip namin and its my first time pumunta sa bora!

:)Try to browse the website for the Boracay Tourist Center,they can help you with your inquiries,good luck on your future trip,enjoy!!!

pangyao™

December 11th, 2007, 08:22 PM

just got this from the thread (Airplaes, Airlines and Airport)

Pics Pearl of the Pacific's Kalibo-Incheon run....with Asian Spirits MD-82

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh229/pangyao-nabaoy/MyAviationNetPhotoID01199456.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh229/pangyao-nabaoy/MyAviationNetPhotoID01199462.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh229/pangyao-nabaoy/MyAviationNetPhotoID01199455.jpg

the runway looks narrow.. kelangan n nga ng kalibo modern terminal at expansion ng runway, sana to the max na expansion dto, hindi ung paunti-unti. hehe

al_teeway

December 12th, 2007, 07:07 AM

nice al. its been a long time i've never seen kalibo. Go Kalibo. still Rebaldo the mayor?

Yes, and hopefully kalibo will have a much better Mayor in 2010.

just got this from the thread (Airplaes, Airlines and Airport)

Pics Pearl of the Pacific's Kalibo-Incheon run....with Asian Spirits MD-82

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh229/pangyao-nabaoy/MyAviationNetPhotoID01199456.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh229/pangyao-nabaoy/MyAviationNetPhotoID01199462.jpg

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh229/pangyao-nabaoy/MyAviationNetPhotoID01199455.jpg

the runway looks narrow.. kelangan n nga ng kalibo modern terminal at expansion ng runway, sana to the max na expansion dto, hindi ung paunti-unti. hehe

Nice photos!:okay: I agree with you but unfortunately, Aklan has no money for the improvement of Kalibo Airport at once. The plan of constructing New Terminal is already there and we can expect that by next year or maybe by the following year, the new terminal is already operational.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Alteeway/julies.jpg

swahi

December 12th, 2007, 06:52 PM

Madali la bang maghanap ng matutuluyan kung walk-in? Any specific resort that you can suggest? Ako po kasi ang incharge sa next trip namin and its my first time pumunta sa bora!

Do not attempt a walk in during peak season, much more during super peak season. Walk in is ok during off peak.

gen1

December 13th, 2007, 12:13 AM

Zobel de Ayala Bora Hideaway (shot from fridays)

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/5053/zobelub4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Discovery Shores (newly built resort, located right next to fridays)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/6623/discovery2vp6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/807/discoveryra7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Discovery buko creme brulee - twice the size of the usual creme brulee (at twice the price, he,he)

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/7299/cremebruleebj0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

gen1

December 13th, 2007, 12:19 AM

my fridays room. island's theme, unlike dscovery's which is zen minimalist

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9680/fridaysroomzr2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/1717/room2lg5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1235/fridays3eu8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

gen1

December 13th, 2007, 12:22 AM

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2961/fridays4hp4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

gen1

December 13th, 2007, 12:31 AM

Best Deal at Bora - Fridays 4-course dinners. PhP720 bucks for an exquisite meal. Order two for a king sized appetite, but at bora where a hot bod is de riguer, who cares for amercian sized meals :lol:

Discovery Shores resto offers american sized hefty meals. with cocktails, a 3-course meal set me back PhP1,200/ea. the breakfast buffet cost me arounds 800/ea. reasonable rates comparable to those of manila hotels.

Taho at bora costs 20 bucks (the same sized taho we get in manila for 10 bucks).

stick BBQ near D'Mall cost me P10/stick. Ok na rin, but not worth the awfully long walk from fridays.

gen1

December 13th, 2007, 12:33 AM

what's sayang at bora ?

the beach front property of the elizaldes. a hundred or so meters of beachfront near D'Mall gone to waste. the caretakers don't even keep the property litter-free. sheesh

le Reine

December 13th, 2007, 12:42 PM

^^rich kid mo naman. :lol:

red_jasper

December 13th, 2007, 12:44 PM

by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan (13 December) -- Tourists arrivals in Boracay Island have surpassed the half-million mark a month before the year ends, records from the Provincial Tourism Office here show.

From January to November of this year, a total of 547,305 tourists, domestic and foreign, visited the island. Their arrival in the island generated a total of P10,062,326,737.00 in tourism receipts, with the foreign tourists contributing P6,535,377,089 and the locals adding P4,770,800,330.

Of the more than half a million arrivals in the island within the eleven month period, 189,005 were foreigners; 300,955 domestic and 57,345 were Overseas Filipinos.

Foreign tourists registered the highest arrival during the month of August numbering 19,023, while domestic tourists crowded the island during the month of April with 75,739. They also came in droves in the month of March with 35,330; May, 51,464 and June, 29,832.

With still a month to go before the year ends, more tourists, foreign and local, are still expected to visit Boracay especially during this holiday season.

Last year, total tourist arrivals in Boracay reached 558,084. Translated to tourism receipts, their arrival generated P10.2 Billion. By 2010, Aklan anticipates that arrivals will reach the one million mark.

Tourism is one of the anchor industries of the province of Aklan, along with agriculture. (PIA) Here (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p071213.htm&no=69)

-TC-

December 13th, 2007, 05:07 PM

Visited the island (my 2nd home... hehe) last November for an official trip. Let me share these pics from Boracay VII...

Taken in front of Willy's:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Boracay7/BoracayDay2_1111007.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Boracay7/BoracayDay3_6111107.jpg

Dropped by Discovery Shores:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Boracay7/DiscoveryShores1110907.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Boracay7/DiscoveryShores2110907.jpg

Also checked out The Tides Boracay where I'll be staying in January...

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Boracay7/TheTides8111107.jpg

Inside one of the rooms:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Boracay7/TheTides2111107.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Boracay7/TheTides3111107.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Boracay7/TheTides4111107.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Boracay7/TheTides1111107.jpg

Sundeck:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Boracay7/TheTides5111107.jpg

Infinity Pool:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Boracay7/TheTides6111107.jpg

spacewagon1

December 14th, 2007, 02:01 AM

Boracay tourist arrivals generate P10B

KALIBO, Aklan – Tourists arrivals in Boracay Island have surpassed the half-million mark a month before the year ends, records from the Provincial Tourism Office here show.

From January to November this year, a total of 547,305 domestic and foreign tourists visited the island, generating a total of P10,062,326,737 in tourism receipts.

Foreign tourists accounted for P6,535,377,089 and the locals adding P4,770,800,330.

Of the more than half a million arrivals in the island within the 11-month period, 189,005 were foreigners; 300,955 domestic and 57,345 were Overseas Filipinos.

Foreign tourists registered the highest arrival during the month of August at 19,023, while domestic tourists crowded the island during the month of April with 75,739. They also came in droves in the month of March with 35,330; May, 51,464 and 29,832 in June.

With still a month to go before the year ends, more tourists, foreign and local, are still expected to visit Boracay especially during this holiday season.

Last year, total tourist arrivals in Boracay reached 558,084. Translated to tourism receipts, their arrival generated P10.2 Billion. By 2010, Aklan anticipates that arrivals will reach the one million mark. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

source: The Guardian ILOILO (http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/)

spacewagon1

December 14th, 2007, 02:05 AM

^^^^ to complement Kalibo's ongoing development, Boracay once again prove that it is the country's premiere tourists destination. Congratulations Aklan! It's a job well done for all in Aklan!

Boracay tourist arrivals generate P10B

KALIBO, Aklan – Tourists arrivals in Boracay Island have surpassed the half-million mark a month before the year ends, records from the Provincial Tourism Office here show.

From January to November this year, a total of 547,305 domestic and foreign tourists visited the island, generating a total of P10,062,326,737 in tourism receipts.

Foreign tourists accounted for P6,535,377,089 and the locals adding P4,770,800,330.

Of the more than half a million arrivals in the island within the 11-month period, 189,005 were foreigners; 300,955 domestic and 57,345 were Overseas Filipinos.

Foreign tourists registered the highest arrival during the month of August at 19,023, while domestic tourists crowded the island during the month of April with 75,739. They also came in droves in the month of March with 35,330; May, 51,464 and 29,832 in June.

With still a month to go before the year ends, more tourists, foreign and local, are still expected to visit Boracay especially during this holiday season.

Last year, total tourist arrivals in Boracay reached 558,084. Translated to tourism receipts, their arrival generated P10.2 Billion. By 2010, Aklan anticipates that arrivals will reach the one million mark. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

source: The Guardian ILOILO (http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/)

spacewagon1

December 14th, 2007, 02:07 AM

speaking of Kalibo, Ati-Atihan will be coming up soon .... would it be nice if the country's Best Tourism Event, Dinagyang, will perform in the country's oldest festival? Dinagyang should consider this best option more than anything else.

lekegutt

December 14th, 2007, 06:44 AM

Madali la bang maghanap ng matutuluyan kung walk-in? Any specific resort that you can suggest? Ako po kasi ang incharge sa next trip namin and its my first time pumunta sa bora!

depende sa season, number of rooms and length of stay.

eto ang pwede nyong magawa pag walk in kayo:

the resorts usually have some price list na hindi pinapakita sa mga guest, like the "last price we were allowed to give (in case na magaling humingi ng discount ang customer)". laro lang yan.

pag walk in ka minsan makakakuha ka ng off peak rates during peak season (depende rin yan sa charm mo, hehehe). if the rates come with breakfast then ask them for a discount and tell them na ayaw mo ng breakfast. or if you like the room but the rate was a little over your budget and breakfast is not inclusive then ask for a free breakfast.

kung madaming rooms ang kukunin nyo and you all want to stay in the same resort, then you better book in advance. pag kukuha kayo ng 2 or more rooms, ask for a discount. if you will stay for 3 or more nights then ask for a discount.

di alam ng guest pero nangingilatis din ang mag front desk, kung sa tingin nila di kayo pasaway then magkakasundo kayo, pag sa tingin naman nila ay babasagin mo ang mga gamit nila sa rooms, then mahihirapan ka makakuha ng rooms.

kaya kung adventurous ka at magaling ka tumawad then ok lang na mag walk in ka, if not then make some reservations as soon as possible.

may mga tips pa ako, just send me a message :)

habagatcentral1

December 14th, 2007, 02:40 PM

^^ Ati-Atihan is still the mother of Dinagyang, why emphasize on it being as a "best tourism event" when it has to go in front with "the mother of the Philippine mardi-gras festival"? The original one?

gen1

December 15th, 2007, 11:28 AM

those koreans are all over bora.

walking to D'mall I passed 2 diving classes being conducted in KOREAN.

eonynx

December 15th, 2007, 12:04 PM

eonynx

December 15th, 2007, 03:53 PM

ericlucky290

December 15th, 2007, 06:04 PM

depende sa season, number of rooms and length of stay.

eto ang pwede nyong magawa pag walk in kayo:

the resorts usually have some price list na hindi pinapakita sa mga guest, like the "last price we were allowed to give (in case na magaling humingi ng discount ang customer)". laro lang yan.

pag walk in ka minsan makakakuha ka ng off peak rates during peak season (depende rin yan sa charm mo, hehehe). if the rates come with breakfast then ask them for a discount and tell them na ayaw mo ng breakfast. or if you like the room but the rate was a little over your budget and breakfast is not inclusive then ask for a free breakfast.

kung madaming rooms ang kukunin nyo and you all want to stay in the same resort, then you better book in advance. pag kukuha kayo ng 2 or more rooms, ask for a discount. if you will stay for 3 or more nights then ask for a discount.

di alam ng guest pero nangingilatis din ang mag front desk, kung sa tingin nila di kayo pasaway then magkakasundo kayo, pag sa tingin naman nila ay babasagin mo ang mga gamit nila sa rooms, then mahihirapan ka makakuha ng rooms.

kaya kung adventurous ka at magaling ka tumawad then ok lang na mag walk in ka, if not then make some reservations as soon as possible.

may mga tips pa ako, just send me a message :)

Wow, I did not know that!

lekegutt

December 17th, 2007, 05:44 AM

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj311/lekegutt/P1010309.jpg

sa harap ng hey jude. :cheers:

pinoybeachboy

December 17th, 2007, 05:53 AM

The government is all proud of the tourism success of boracay. yet it is blind to the tsunami of problems that excessive tourism has brought to the magnificent island.

first, garbage from boracay has no where to go. I read some reports that garbage (non-biodegradable at that) are dumped at a open dumpsite in Malay (recently it was closed down). This is illegal how come the mayor is never held responsible for it. There are also reports before that garbage being dumped somewhere in the island itself are burned. Again this is illegal and violation of the Clean Air Act.

second, boracay hotels are pumping water from a near depleted water table. it will not be long when they will be pumping their own waste water. hehehe. Talk about recycling..hehehe.

third, boracay has no traffic regulation - for both sea transport and land transport. You can get bumped to death by wayward motorcycles, tricyles and atvs along its barangay roads. You can get ripped apart by speeding pumpboats and banana boats at the beach.

fourth, boracay has no honest to goodness safety and security contingency plan to secure its guests. Like how many tourist police are in the island to guard the millions of tourist that flock to the island: 2 battalions?? im sure the real numbers are way small. No honest to goodness quick reaction force, no choppers, no fast boats, no hospital ships, no field communication center. What if a bunch of abu sayaffs raid the island? or a tsunami suddently happens, or a wildfire breaks out? I think the nearest chopper base is still in Iloilo? Fire station? are you kidding? salt water maybe. Another simple yet problematic situation...if a tourist drowns or breaks his legs...how long can he be brought to a decent hospital?

fifth, boracay seems to have no building code or has totally disregarded it. Dont you wonder why hotels keep on opening side by side with each other without regard to building regulations?

sixth, the government has no tourist volume control. Is Sec. Durano wondering how is it to share a small kiddie pool with 20 people? Well boracay is like that during summer...a million people coming to an island that can honestly accommodate a number way below half.

I have been to boracay during the 70s and man...its a heavenly place. Now...gee wiz!!! an epitome of how our tourist potentials are overlooked.

wake up mr. congressman (draft a comprehensive boracay tourist code)
wake up mr. secretary (visit boracay, stay there for at least a week in cognito AND YOU'LL SEE).
wake up mr. governor (pls investigate the mayor)
wakeup mr. mayor (hay nano eon?)

eonynx

December 18th, 2007, 02:29 PM

^^in short, paging all our concerned public officials!:nuts:

spacewagon1

December 19th, 2007, 06:53 PM

congratulations aklan and boracay for your landmark achivements in tourism earnings!:okay:
think their tourism industry is getting bigger and bigger every year. It would be nice if Iloilo and other Panay and Guimaras provinces will emulate what Boracay has achieve when it comes to tourism. I think we can learn something from them when it comes to promotion and luring of tourists and visitors.

Congratulations Aklan! It's another milestone for all of us in Panay and Western Visayas region.

Jarenz

December 19th, 2007, 10:04 PM

Crown Regency Resort & Convention Center [u/c] - Boracay

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/boracay/ap.jpg

leechtat

December 20th, 2007, 05:28 AM

oo nga puro koreano na.. kaya yung mga masahista ay nagg-kokorean na.. may incheon flight kasi in kalibo... kay siguro ang DAMI-DAMI nila...

wow, the tides is so gorgeous.. d nga lang sya beachfront. pero at least malapit sya sa d'mall..

todo na.. wag naman sana masyado littered yung developments.. mawala na ang mga puno nyan..

i hope people will stop littering in boracay also.. especially when all of us are drunk...

al_teeway

December 20th, 2007, 05:55 AM

think their tourism industry is getting bigger and bigger every year. It would be nice if Iloilo and other Panay and Guimaras provinces will emulate what Boracay has achieve when it comes to tourism. I think we can learn something from them when it comes to promotion and luring of tourists and visitors.

Congratulations Aklan! It's another milestone for all of us in Panay and Western Visayas region.

It is the UNITED LEADERSHIP that boosts Aklan's tourism industry and economy. The United Leadership started in year 1995 and a lot of changes happened in Aklan in just 12 years.

lekegutt

December 21st, 2007, 01:12 PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2334/2092608401_bcf130d0ea.jpg?v=0

BY SUV111. i think this is from Bacolod.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj311/lekegutt/P1010493.jpg

and this one is at Boracay :)

-TC-

December 21st, 2007, 01:15 PM

wow, the tides is so gorgeous.. d nga lang sya beachfront. pero at least malapit sya sa d'mall..

The Tides is not a beachfront resort but it is not too bad since the beach is "only" 20 meters away. It's really just a short walk. :)

pandan

December 22nd, 2007, 06:44 AM

think their tourism industry is getting bigger and bigger every year. It would be nice if Iloilo and other Panay and Guimaras provinces will emulate what Boracay has achieve when it comes to tourism. I think we can learn something from them when it comes to promotion and luring of tourists and visitors.

Congratulations Aklan! It's another milestone for all of us in Panay and Western Visayas region.

Yes thats right, it is an example how to boost tourism, but on the other hand it should have a cleaner concept specially for the environment

Golden Lassie

December 23rd, 2007, 09:33 PM

Hi there, does anybody know of a wedding coordinator to do a catholic wedding who is already based on the island, and ideal reception venues. Thanks!

Golden Lassie

December 23rd, 2007, 09:37 PM

and is November an ok-date to hold a wedding there?

sugarboy

December 24th, 2007, 01:42 AM

i was in boracay as a ninong for an october 30 wedding in 2006. i think november is an ok time to get married there.

this is where we're at in boracay:

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/avenidalasalle/Skyscrapers/aerialcopy.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/avenidalasalle/Skyscrapers/newpic01.jpg

we are on the other side of the island away from the maddening crowd. :)

we don't have a view of the sunset but we have an exhilarating vista of the sunrise.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/avenidalasalle/Skyscrapers/wetsunrise02.jpg

IMPRESARIO

December 24th, 2007, 06:07 PM

http://www.commentsarcade.com/christmas/christmas_comment_graphic_04.gif
Happy Christmas to All!

LordCarnal

December 25th, 2007, 02:31 PM

^^

Thanks for the photos sugarboy..

It's been 11 years since I last went to Boracay..

..

gen1

December 25th, 2007, 03:42 PM

pick up point din ba ang O2 sa bora

:jk:

eonynx

December 25th, 2007, 03:46 PM

ngprofflorida

December 26th, 2007, 02:27 PM

gen1

December 27th, 2007, 04:47 AM

that's what the beautiful people call boracay nowadays - "bora"

so tawagin na rin nating bora para kunwari beautiful people din tayo :lol:

jbkayaker12

December 28th, 2007, 10:19 PM

[QUOTE=Dvorak;7592832]surfing at Bora...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/patok/bora12.jpg

My friend just a reminders please dont change the name Boracay to Bora, because bora is in tahiti para hindi ma confuse ang mga foreigners.

True, many Filipinos like to call Boracay, "Bora" which is a misnomer. Try searching Bora and see what comes up. It is definitely promoting the island in the South Pacific and not the island in the Philippines.

JB Photography (http://www.webshots.com/user/jbkayaker)

Ex!lE

December 29th, 2007, 02:21 AM

Sec. Durano urges DENR to impose construction moratorium in Boracay (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/dec/29/yehey/prov/20071229pro3.html)

BORACAY ISLAND: Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ace Durano on Friday urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to impose a moratorium on new constructions in Boracay following the recent flash floods, reported the Philippine News Agency.

The island experienced flash floods approximately one and a half feet high at D’Mall and the tiangge (public market) area as a result of torrential rains on Thursday.

Durano also asked Malay Mayor Ceciron Cawaling to stop the unabated building of structures in the island pending the completion of the Boracay Comprehensive Land Use Plan, which is funded by the DOT.

The Philippine Tourism Authority has completed the drainage system to resolve the flooding of low-lying areas during the rainy season.

tj_brewed

December 31st, 2007, 08:40 AM

http://www.knittinginhollywood.org/photos/happy_new_year.gif

Jarenz

December 31st, 2007, 09:00 AM

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/happynewyear.gif

IMPRESARIO

December 31st, 2007, 10:18 AM

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/5579/3bjbxnyrtk5.jpg
:carrot::cucumber::pepper:From SSC-Iloilo:carrot::cucumber::pepper:

SUV111

December 31st, 2007, 01:14 PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/2149006770_ccf53fd88c.jpg?v=0

JEFFjr_25

December 31st, 2007, 03:10 PM

With all the SMiLeS from the rest of SSC-BACOLOD gang .... :banana2::cucumber::lock::dance2::carrot::banana::pepper:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o207/bicfomh/gg01/newyear/newyear007.gif

ALL THE BEST THIS 2008!!! GOD speed!
Visit us:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=17412063#post17412063

dos compadres

December 31st, 2007, 06:40 PM

rgbisaya

December 31st, 2007, 11:03 PM

It always floods in that area in Boracay every time it rains heavily. Many areas also have become so congested na para nang slum area sa maynila.

The zoning is not fully implemented. Bara-bara lang, they will pay for it in the long run when tourist are turned off by what you just mentioned, kung wala ng appeal. Business establishments are there to take the opportunity regardless as to making a quick $$$ at the expense of the island. Need experience my boy ika nga.

iloilocitykid

January 2nd, 2008, 09:00 AM

Aklan has so much to offer aside from Boracay. There is the Ati atihan Festival, the urban Municipality of Kalibo and the Sampaguita Garden's in New Washington..

Being the top tourist destination in Western Visayas, one can never leave Aklan without a foreigner in sight. From the rugged mountains to the sandy beaches, this place never fails to capture the eyes of the world..

Here's pictures of my visit there and trust me, this is like the mini version of Disneyland..

Jojo's Christmas Cottage - here, they sell Mr. Sam Butcher's, the owner of the resort, dolls

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2250/2152565034_564c92ec32.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/2156922363_74a57ede9c.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2126/2151743959_45d59bb40d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2129/2151739725_71ff394d60.jpg

Sammy's Circus - created last 2004 i think, this caters to the "needs" of children and those who want to be children :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2230/2151768589_a227605573.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/2152541336_b7a011d2fe.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2166/2151754157_ecb421180b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2209/2151759221_516145105d.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/2152555736_e452b518d0.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2408/2152524108_dd9173e310.jpg

Hotel Rooms - these are the standard rooms. their rates are rather expensive, even their economy rooms.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/2151777519_7e62b4f173.jpg

The theme of Sampaguita Gardens Resort

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2414/2151782025_f2358899d1.jpg

Asian Collections of Mr. Butcher

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2192/2157678058_a368b0926b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2174/2156887877_90d8c5d934.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2390/2152579428_6eeaa7a3b8.jpg

Sorry for the blurry image - I can't remember if there was this person there when I took the shot

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2341/2157686980_b661d1009f.jpg

Museum

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/2157690840_3bc0b1c205.jpg

Mr. Butcher's residence in Missouri converted to a hotel with 121 rooms - he now resides in Sampaguita Gardens. The train in the replica is only fictional

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/2156899579_1d2396eae3.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/2156903321_f64ac0a4ca.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/2157706832_191807ed7c.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2322/2157711448_f8ce61bf58.jpg

Aquarium

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2138/2156907673_9164b02c3f.jpg

Art of Mr. Butcher

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2054/2156919779_3f64e5db44.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/2152515338_757a52fb23.jpg

Pool

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2279/2151726987_e1677a6389.jpg

However, there is one thing I don't like about Kalibo...it's the flooding in the streets but all in all, it's one of the best places to be :)

eonynx

January 2nd, 2008, 05:17 PM

^^wow! beautiful! it's like a gingerbread house

iloilocitykid

January 2nd, 2008, 05:45 PM

eonynx

January 2nd, 2008, 05:47 PM

^^ah so this is the talked-about sampaguita gardens. never been there! but my cuzns have. sometimes, i feel like a tourist in my own backyard!:nuts:

iloilocitykid

January 2nd, 2008, 05:48 PM

^^ You're from Aklan? :)

eonynx

January 2nd, 2008, 05:49 PM

^^iloilo e!:lol: panay island ba!

iloilocitykid

January 2nd, 2008, 05:50 PM

^^ Aw ah :lol:
Sampaguita Garden daw is a good honeymoon spot..try it sometime :lol: j/k

eonynx

January 2nd, 2008, 05:53 PM

^^ok! that's nice to know! good for moonlighting gale and fishing for the stars!:nuts:

Jarenz

January 3rd, 2008, 12:03 AM

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/boracay/crrcc.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/boracay/crrcc2.jpg

IMPRESARIO

January 3rd, 2008, 03:46 AM

^^Right in the center of the island, very strategic location. :okay:

IMPRESARIO

January 3rd, 2008, 03:51 AM

^^ Only it's not gingerbread, it's dolls. I think Mr. Butcher owns the old creepy stone mansion in Sta. Cruz, Arevalo, Iloilo City. It's like a German mansion there.

Also, if they placed the Sampaguita Gardens in Iloilo City, it might have had more success because there are only a handful of people there. Nevertheless, it's good for the province of Aklan :) I am going back there for my honeymoon! :lol:

^^Yup, he was the former owner of that Mansion in Arevalo. Sana may maka-picture nang house na iyon, para ma post dito sa SSC. Pag-pumunta ka sa Villa Beach Kid pa ki pic na lang.

Bernie can give you maybe the reason why he moved his base to Aklan instead of Iloilo; he talked about it before.

eonynx

January 3rd, 2008, 05:05 AM

^^does he still own the mansion in arevalo or did he sell it?

IMPRESARIO

January 3rd, 2008, 06:43 AM

^^i don't think so anymore.

iloilocitykid

January 3rd, 2008, 11:56 AM

^^ I don't think so. THere was this controversial event a few years back when the dolls being made in that mansion had cocaine in their mouths. I don't know what happened next. Sam Butcher resides in Aklan because his heart belongs there. It was reported that the successor to his estate in Aklan is his co-worker for many years, and he's Filipino.

I used to pass by that mansion when I was a kid. I just lived near there and I always thought it was haunted. Hope I can take a shot next time:)

pangyao™

January 4th, 2008, 05:08 AM

may yellowcab n pla sa boracay beside Casa Pilar..

richard24

January 4th, 2008, 05:13 AM

The zoning is not fully implemented. Bara-bara lang, they will pay for it in the long run when tourist are turned off by what you just mentioned, kung wala ng appeal. Business establishments are there to take the opportunity regardless as to making a quick $$$ at the expense of the island. Need experience my boy ika nga.

and they don't have a proper garbage disposal system., sa harapan ng fat jimmy's sila nagtatambak ng basura., dun pa naman ako nag stay this new year. bumabaha pa pag umulan., kaya naghahalo yung basura, palenke at baha.

ashton

January 4th, 2008, 06:53 AM

I wish there's gonna be a Starbucks too like Phuket :)

may yellowcab n pla sa boracay beside Casa Pilar..

spacewagon1

January 4th, 2008, 09:46 PM

Kalibo Ati-atihan fever up

THE Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival 2008 fever is up as installation of infrastructures and street decorations for the coming festival is underway.

Highlights and activities of the festival will start January 14 and will end on January 20.

Arcs and flaglets can be seen everywhere on Kalibo’s streets and the famous Magsaysay Park.

Already completed is the improvement of Pastrana Park where the high mass will be held on Jan. 20 as a thanksgiving to the Sr. Santo Niño.
Kalibo mayor Remar Rebaldo ensured that the celebrations should retain the originality of the Ati-atihan festival while preserving its religious spirit.

The mayor made the move in reaction to criticisms that the Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival has become “commercialized” in the pat years.

Among the usual highlights of the festival will be the tribal and modern groups competition, the Higante parade where devotees can join, and the street revelries and parties.

The Kalibo Ati-atihan management board expects an increase in the arrival of tourists and devotees because of the direct international flights from Korea, Kalibo’s accessibility to the provinces of Luzon, and also because of the nautical highway.

source: The Guardian ILOILO (http://www.theguardianiloilo.ph/)

spacewagon1

January 4th, 2008, 09:47 PM

^^ the last few sentences rings really true. With Kalibo opens directly to the world, expect more international coming to visit Aklan all year long. Congrats Aklan for doing really well in tourism !

spacewagon1

January 4th, 2008, 10:14 PM

Construction of P5-B Carabao Island airport set

MALAY, Aklan — The construction of the P5-billion Carabao Island Airport is now in the pipeline and will certainly start this year.

The construction of the airport, which is expected to commence this October, is a private-sector initiative, and is programmed to be completed by 2010.

Steve Tajanlangit, vice chairman of the Boracay Property Holdings, Inc., the main proponent of the project, expressed confidence that the airport will further hasten the growth of tourism on Boracay-Carabao Island corridor.

Tajanlangit said that the airport will also boost employment with expected generation of new jobs and the increased economic activities, not just in Boracay, but most especially in San Jose, Romblon, where the Carabao Island is located.

Once completed, the airport will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that can accommodate even big aircraft doing international flights in contrast to the Caticlan Airport which can only host small planes.

Aside from this, thousands of tourists -- foreign and local -- are expected to flock the world famous Boracay and Carabao Island.

He said his group has already secured a guarantee line from the Phil Exim Bank which shows that the private sector can work hand in hand with the government, especially in the development of tourist destinations.

One of the highly reputable and world class firms that have expressed interest and offered expertise and financial resources to the project is Sellex Sistemo Integrated of Italy.

Sellex, which supplies airside equipment, is the main firm of the conglomerate Finmeccanica owned by the Italian government.

Tajanlangit’s group is also seriously considering Changi International of Singapore, which is consistently rated as the world’s best airport operator, to be the airport manager.

Construction management will likely be handled by an American firm with proven expertise in building airports and support facilities for the US Defense Department.

Tajanlangit said the government’s guarantee company has already approved credit clearance for the project, while the Air Transportation Office under the Department of Transportation and Communications has already given its go-signal for the multi-billion project

One of the good features of this project is that it is a private-sector initiative.

Tourism efforts in Cebu, for instance, have been observed as the primary reason why the province’s tourism program has been successful, it was reported earlier. (Mar T. Supnad)

source: Manila Bulletin (http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080105113524.html)

Jarenz

January 5th, 2008, 01:00 PM

Crown Regency Resort and Convention Center

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/boracay/pool.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/boracay/bt.jpg

for more info here's the link:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=17499104#post17499104

Jarenz

January 5th, 2008, 01:14 PM

Garden View

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/boracay/T1.jpg

Pool View

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/boracay/T2.jpg

chocolato1000

January 5th, 2008, 03:25 PM

i thought there's a construction ban in boracay, so how are they going to implement this plan?

toffeechoy

January 7th, 2008, 06:43 AM

bat kaya nag eerror ang site ng cebu pacific if we try to book a flight from cebu to caticlan????

pangyao™

January 7th, 2008, 12:18 PM

bat kaya nag eerror ang site ng cebu pacific if we try to book a flight from cebu to caticlan????

refresh mo lng.. hehe

Jarenz

January 8th, 2008, 06:35 AM

i thought there's a construction ban in boracay, so how are they going to implement this plan?

The construction is on progress

BYAHILO

January 9th, 2008, 04:01 AM

Jarenz

January 9th, 2008, 07:54 AM

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/boracay/p1.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u177/Jarenz_038/boracay/p3.jpg

Any Interested Buyers/Investors... just contact me!

-TC-

January 9th, 2008, 01:58 PM

nabasa ko sa inquirer today na implement na ang construction moratorium for 6months effective jan2, 2008.

according to the news, may approx applications daw sila (and malay town) na rereceive for constructions every week.

kaya dapat lng na mag karoon na ng moratorium.

Good news!!! :okay:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=111159
Boracay construction frenzy stopped
By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
01/09/2008

ILOILO CITY—Local officials have finally implemented a moratorium on new construction projects in Boracay, five months after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) heeded an appeal to stop a construction boom that is further congesting the world-famous resort island.

Mayor Ciceron Cawaling, of Malay town, where Boracay is located, issued a memorandum Jan. 2 implementing a municipal council resolution, dated Oct. 24, 2007, declaring a six-month moratorium on the issuance of permits for new construction projects.

The two-page Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 042 was enacted on Sept. 26, 2007 and approved during the council’s regular session on Oct. 24, 2007.

Malay town would enforce the moratorium from Jan. 2-July 2, 2008, said Malay municipal councilor Rowen Aguirre, chair of the council’s committee on laws and regulations.

In its resolution, the municipal council imposed a six-month ban on the construction of new structures such as hotels, resorts, malls, apartments and boarding houses.

Expansion and renovation of existing buildings are also banned.

The municipal government would also suspend the granting of business permits to new nontourist-related businesses, such as junk shops, fuel retail, appliance caravans, motor vehicle repair shops, ukay-ukay (used clothing) stores, sea craft fabrication and repair shops.

The ban excludes government construction projects related to public utilities that have complied with procedures, laws and ordinances.

Last week, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza warned local government officials that they must enforce the moratorium imposed by the DENR in August last year on the construction of structures or face administrative sanctions.

Each week, the municipal council receives from five to six applications for building permits on the island, resort owner Orlando Sacay said in an earlier interview with the Inquirer.

Sacay said migration to the island, driven by business and employment opportunities, should be controlled.

spacewagon1

January 9th, 2008, 06:37 PM

Crown Regency looks really beautiful. What's the target date of completion?

Ex!lE

January 11th, 2008, 03:10 AM

Environmental master plan draft for Boracay finalized
(http://www.mb.com.ph/MTNN20080111114061.html)
By ELLALYN B. DE VERA

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose "Lito" L. Atienza Jr. said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has finalized the draft of a new environmental master plan for Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan.

It ensures that construction activity in Boracay will not harm the environment.

According to DENR Western Visayas Executive Director Lormelybn Claudio, the plan incorporates the technical, organizational, and institutional aspects on environmental protection and rational development of Boracay.

"There had been several master plans for the environmental protection of Boracay. But all of these had not been properly implemented because they lacked the ingredient of involving local government units," Claudio said.

She added that one of the most important features of the plan is the identification of human activities as the primary factors behind the degradation of the island’s environment.

Atienza said the master plan will be presented during the final consultations with heads of government agencies and stakeholders involved in the development of Boracay before its implementation after the six-month moratorium on construction.

Mayor Ciceron Cawaling of Malay has issued a memorandum dated Jan. 2, 2008 to implement a municipal council resolution dated Oct. 24, 2007 declaring a six-month moratorium on the issuance of permits for new constuction projects.

The town is expected to enforce the moratorium from Jan. 2 to July 2, 2008.

The moratorium excludes government construction projects related to public utilities that have complied with procedures, laws, and ordinances.

Atienza said Cawaling and the local council in Boracay promised to support the DENR’s environmental plan once it is implemented.

Ex!lE

January 11th, 2008, 05:33 PM

Durano decries Boracay’s ‘development’ (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/jan/12/yehey/prov/20080112pro5.html)

By Katrice R. Jalbuena, Reporter

The current problems facing the island paradise of Boracay are not really due to over-development but rather to undisciplined development, Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano said.

“Since it was first proposed last year, we officially support the efforts of the Department of Environmental and National Resources (DENR) to implement a temporary moratorium on constructions on the island,” Durano said.

The tourism secretary said Boracay still remains a big draw to foreign tourists and is a poster site for the Philippine tourism industry. Hence, it is important that the problems facing the island be addressed.

To this end, the Tourism department is supporting projects to address Boracay’s problems that center on improving the island’s capacity to sustain its development without sacrificing its natural beauty.

A P10-million solid waste ma*nagement system has been constructed and put into place on the island. Inspections of all kitchens in existing establishments of the island have been conducted, and are required to implement best practices and comply with sanitation standards.

A comprehensive land use plan is being drawn up, and will be the basis for the issuance of future business and building permits and environmental compliance certificates. The plan will sector the island into areas delineated for specific uses.

An example would be the iden*tification and preservation of watershed areas, which are essential for continued water supply. However, Durano said there has yet to be a clear study on where exactly the watersheds in Boracay are located. The land use plan should help answer such questions.

Durano also expressed frustration on the local governments of Boracay for lack of cooperation in implementing the moratorium on the issuance of business permits.

“There is a need for the DENR to have an active presence on the island, maybe to station personnel on the islands . . . . What they need is people on the ground who can really monitor the situation and make sure that policies and regulations governing the environment on the island are strictly implemented.” Durano said.

pinoybeachboy

January 11th, 2008, 06:44 PM

kalibo ati-atihan fever is in the air!

suggestions to kalibo mayor rebaldo:

(1) Up the prizes so that more tribes will be encouraged to improve their costumes and presentation. This can be done easily because sponsors flood to kalibo during the ati-atihan.

(2) More advertisement on national and foreign media. Honest to goodness travel operators will agree that Kalibo's genuine ati-atihan festival is the merriest of the bunch - Sinulog, Dinagyang etc. It is only in Kalibo where guest and tourist can freely join the festivities.

(3) Invite more celebrities (even if u spend on them) in order to generate bandwagon effect. I remember during the 80s when the likes of Richard Gomez and his gang would religiously attend the ati-atihan. Lately, kalibo experienced a drought of bonafide celebrities attending the ati-atihan.

(4) More gimmicks - photography contests, discounts and privileges to foreign tourists, etc.

These are only a few suggestions to bring back the old glory of the Kalibo Ati-atihan.

leechtat

January 11th, 2008, 06:47 PM

^^ i would love boracay to be self-supporting.. pero buti naman nagka-hiatus ang construction sa island.. they have to preserve this pristine island as well... good job!

le Reine

January 12th, 2008, 03:59 AM

^^sana naman may gumawa ng comprehensive plan for Boracay. Napapansin ko kasi tayo lang ng tayo ng kung anu-ano.

eonynx

January 12th, 2008, 04:46 PM

eonynx

January 12th, 2008, 04:49 PM

iloilocitykid

January 13th, 2008, 04:55 PM

^^ Woah! 5 Billion? This is so good! So this will replace the old Caticlan Airport. I'm guessing it'll have tubes too. :)

eonynx

January 13th, 2008, 05:24 PM

^^i don't know if it is intended as a replacement! i thought caticlan is upgrading its own airport. it could be, it could be not.

IMPRESARIO

January 13th, 2008, 05:26 PM

^^di bla Koreans ang mga investors sining airport?

eonynx

January 13th, 2008, 05:28 PM

^^sorry! no idea!:)

IMPRESARIO

January 13th, 2008, 05:33 PM

i think so, its korean owned, to bring in tourists in , i think they will establish a resort too, let me research that again.

IMPRESARIO

January 13th, 2008, 05:38 PM

Koreans to build airport in island next to Boracay
Friday, 08 June 2007

PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE -- BORACAY Island, Aklan—A Korean real estate company will start the construction next month of an international airport at Carabao Island, which is being eyed as the “Next Boracay.”

Carabao Island, part of San Jose town south of Romblon, is a 15-minute boat ride from the smaller island of Boracay, and has the same white-sand beaches and pristine waters, according to Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano.

Durano said Carabao Island is about four times the size of the 10-sq. km. Boracay, which accommodated more than half a million visitors last year. It is closest to the Puka Beach, the northern part of Boracay.
“We expect the groundbreaking of the airport at Carabao Island by the end of the month,” said Durano, who, together with Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr., visited the new large hotel developments in Boracay.

Durano said the San Jose airport, which will have a 4,000-meter runway, is part of the tourism masterplan being developed by Euro Asia & Group Holding, a Korean company headed by Byoung-Youn Park.

Korean tourists, representing two-thirds of total foreign guests in Boracay, numbered 124,618 in 2006. In the first four months of 2007, foreign visitors were up 40 percent.

Portions of Carabao Island, Durano said, had already been leased out to the Korean company, which committed to put up the necessary infrastructures before establishing commercial establishments.

“Everything is being planned in Carabao Island,” he said. “It will have the same model as Mactan in Cebu.”

The tourism chief said the development of Carabao Island will relieve Boracay of too much pressure from tourists, in the wake of constant power outages caused by peak demand from more than 250 resorts and hotels on the island. Most resorts here have their power generation sets ready in case of brownouts.

Ma. Victoria Jasmin, director of the Office of Tourism Standards, which is in charge of endorsing tourism projects for fiscal incentives, said the Korean company was applying for the declaration of the entire Carabao Island as a tourism economic zone.

The problem, she said, is that the island already has a thriving local population who own pieces of land in five barangays. San Jose town, which encompasses the whole Carabao Island, has about 10,000 residents.

“Their masterplan involves integrated resort development which will include construction of hotels, resorts and retirement villages,” Jasmin said.

She said the original plan aimed to build an international airport in San Jose capable of handling large Airbus or Boeing planes that will bring passengers to Boracay. But under the Korean masterplan, Carabao Island will now be the major attraction, with Boracay as the day-two destination.

Caticlan airport, which is about a 10-minute boat ride from Boracay, can handle only small turboprop planes, while it takes another two hours to reach Kalibo airport by land.

Asked how much the Korean group would invest, Jasmin said there were no official figures yet, but the amount is expected to be big, considering the extent of development it plans.

http://www.philippine-builder.com/content/view/62/1/

eonynx

January 13th, 2008, 05:43 PM

^^thanks for the re-post @incognito! so it appears it "maybe" a replacement to the caticlan airport

GearX

January 14th, 2008, 05:34 AM

Ati-Atihan Festival, the mother of Philippine Festivals (http://www.mb.com.ph/OPED20080114114334.html)

The grandest among the Philippine festivals in celebration of the Feast of the Sto. Niño is the Ati-Atihan Festival which takes place every third Sunday of January in Kalibo, Aklan, on the island of Panay.

It reflects the Filipinos’ great devotion to the Holy Infant Jesus which began in 1521 when the image of the Sto. Niño was first brought to the Province of Cebu.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x287/GearX_2007/another/another%202/ec1200273264.gif

Derived from the word Ati, the original inhabitants of Panay Island who were characterized by their dark skin and curly hair, the festival recalls the agreement between 10 migrating Bornean chieftains and the aboriginal Ati King Marikudo during the 13th century. Over the years, the celebration became a mixture of Catholic ritual, native drama, social event, and tourist attraction.

As early as the first week of January, the street dancing begins. Women join in the hope that they will bear children, get healed, or succeed in business. The Kalibo Cathedral is the venue for the nine-day novena where believers recite their prayers, praises, and requests for blessings and miracles.

The religious festivities are complemented with cultural activities. The Hala-Bira Ati-Atihan nights at the Magsaysay Park begin the endless dancing and partying with live bands, food, and drinks. Other activities include showcasing of Aklan’s beautiful ornamental plants and products made from piña, abaca, raffia, nito, and clay materials; Kaean-an sa Plaza, a food fest featuring culinary specialties; art exhibits by members of the Aklan Visual Arts Association; the reenactment of the barter of Panay; the coronation of the Mutya It Kalibo Ati-Atihan; the Higante parade and Aklan Festival; the Sadsan Panaad, a parade of students from the various schools in Aklan wearing costumes; a parade of floats of the beautiful Mutya; and the Pahilot or Paeapak, a faith healing rite of the miraculous Sto. Niño of Kalibo. The Bishop of Kalibo will officiate the blessing of the children. Devotees and pilgrims can also participate in the dawn rosary and procession.

In the early morning of its feast day, the image of the Sto. Niño of Kalibo will be transferred from the Kalibo Cathedral to Pastrana Park. A Pasaeamat, a concelebrated field mass, will follow. The afternoon torch parade and procession will feature the Ati-Atihan groups parading in the principal streets of Kalibo together with their beautifully adorned caros of the Sto. Niño, devotees carrying images of the Sto. Niño and bamboo torches, beginning at the town plaza up to the Kalibo Cathedral.

As we celebrate the Ati-Atihan Festival and the Feast of the Sto. Niño of Kalibo, let us give thanks to the Holy Infant Jesus for all the blessings given to us in the past and pray not only for more blessings but peace and unity for the whole nation.

We congratulate the people of Aklan and the Ati-Atihan organizing committee and wish them all the success of the festival and for showing the world our great culture and religiosity.

Hala Bira, Viva Kay Señor Sto. Niño!

eonynx

January 14th, 2008, 06:05 AM

^^all set for aklan's ati-atihan festival. the mother of philippine festivals! best wishes!

richard24

January 14th, 2008, 12:38 PM

ahhhhh., pano na alta vista(DMCI) and shangrila? so i assume shang won't be able to open this summer? (although from the looks of it, nung nakita ko siya last month, mukhang di naman talaga aabot ang shang this summer) hehehe., :)

BYAHILO

January 14th, 2008, 01:09 PM

some photos from my boracay trip. twas a familiarization tour sponsored by seair, microtel hotel and Zuzuni restaurant.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2090/2191180523_aebff83c46_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/2191968202_8b1dbd0975_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/2191173175_736d0264e3_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2191168911_9b7739199e_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/2191956244_acc4831a19_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/2191919334_93283871ca_o.jpg

chymera00

January 14th, 2008, 05:57 PM

In so excited already. I be able to attend the Atiatihan festival again this year. Last year was my first time and it was a lot of fun.

Fundador

January 15th, 2008, 02:25 AM

Army to augment PNP to ensure crime-free Kalibo Ati-atihan festival

By Glenrose on Jan 14, 2008 in News

Kalibo, Aklan (14 January) — Army men of 47th Infantry Battalion based at Camp Jizmundo, Libas, Banga, Aklan will be augmenting the forces of the Philippine National Police here to ensure that the celebration of this year’s Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival will be peaceful and crime-free.

Captain Antonio Tumnog of the 47th IB said the army force will assist the PNP by manning three boundary checkpoints located in the towns of Banga, New Washington and Numancia starting January 16 of this year while a squad will also stay at the Kalibo PNP station.

Major highlights of the Kalibo Sto. Niño ati-atihan Festival will be observed yet in the last three days of the festival schedule on January 18-20 but since last week, various activities were already held formally opening the festival.

Seen as some of the major attractions of the festival this year are the Kalibo Ati-atihan Product Showcase at Pastrana Park, where Aklan entrepreneurs, artists and businessmen get to display and sell their products like the exquisite and export-quality loomwoven piña cloth, gifts and houseware, pottery, native delicacies and processed foods, bakery products and ornamental plants; Ati-atihan Nights at Magsaysay Park, the Higante Parade, etc.

The celebration will be capped on Sunday, January 20, by a civic and religious procession together with the Ati groups, and the announcement of winners at the Kalibo Magsaysay Park in the evening. (PIA)

ericlucky290

January 15th, 2008, 05:09 AM

Anong resort ito? Any idea how much it cost per night?^^

some photos from my boracay trip. twas a familiarization tour sponsored by seair, microtel hotel and Zuzuni restaurant.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/2191919334_93283871ca_o.jpg

BYAHILO

January 15th, 2008, 07:07 AM

that's Nami Resort in Diniwid Beach. katabi yan ng Microtel

red_jasper

January 17th, 2008, 09:23 AM

DENR to present Boracay Environmental master plan soon
(http://www.thenewstoday.info/2008/01/17/denr.to.present.boracay.environmental.master.plan.soon.html)
Kalibo, Aklan -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is ready to present its recently-crafted Environmental Master Plan of Boracay Island.

According to Derlito Rico, Environment Management Specialist of the DENR here, the master plan is set to be presented soon to Boracay Island's stakeholders, local government officials and other concerned individuals so together, they could harmonize and integrate their plans and vision for the sustainability and preservation of the island.

Rico said the crafting of the Environmental Master Plan for the island was an offshoot of DENR Secretary Lito Atienza's ordered moratorium on the unabated and unregulated construction activities in the island.

The Boracay Environmental Master Plan was drafted by a Technical Working Group created by the regional office of the DENR, according to Rico.

The master plan covers all areas of Boracay Island – its forest lands, protected areas, coastal zone, the beach front, and others.

With the crafting and the scheduled presentation to the public of the master plan, the DENR here is optimistic that zoning regulations in the construction of establishments will be observed by owners and imposed by local officials of Malay, Aklan.

"Political will in the implementation of ordinances and laws in the island is very urgent in order to preserve and save Boracay Island, the goose that lays the golden eggs for Aklan and for the country," Rico said. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)

Fundador

January 17th, 2008, 05:51 PM

As nation celebrates Nat’l Stat Month, Aklan governor stresses importance of statistics

by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan (18 October) — Statistics which involves data tabulation is important to guide decision-makers and leaders in implementing programs and services for the good of the constituents.

This was what Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez stressed in his message during the opening of the Statistical Exhibit here, opened officially today at the newly-constructed Aklan Trade hall here, after a Thanksgiving mass and a motorcade around Kalibo was held.

The provincial executive said statistics play a major role in the implementation of two major programs in Aklan – agriculture and tourism.

“The population survey, conducted by the National Statistics Office, is very important to determine the exact number of the population in Aklan, how many are employed, unemployed, and underemployed. I believe however, that the survey on employment should be done in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment,” Governor Marquez said.

Governor Marquez also said the result of the population survey would also determine if Aklan could be divided into two districts already.

“Having two districts which will allow for two congressmen for Aklan will be good for the province. With a Priority Development Fund of P70 million each, Aklan will have P340 milllion a year, which would mean faster economic development. We can then move forward to sustain the economy, reduce poverty level and create more job opportunities,” Gov. Marquez told those present, composed of heads/representatives and employees of national and provincial offices.

The holding of the Statistical Exhibit here is one of the major highlights of Aklan’s celebration of the 18th National Statistics Month this October, anchored on the theme “Statistics and Action: A road to a Better Life through the Millenium Development Goals.”

The Millenium Development Goals include the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, achievement of universal primary education, promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women, reduction of child mortality, Improvement of maternal health, Combatting HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, Ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development.

In his Midterm RP’s Progress report, NEDA OIC Augusto Santos said the national target for extreme poverty has been reached, however, only six regions are below the national subsistence incidence which is 13.5%. Regions in Visayas and Mindanao are still way above the national figure.

The Statistical Exhibit here also served as the launching of the first-ever exhibit contest, which, according to the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), is patterned from the regional activities of involved agencies in Iloilo City.

Aside from the Statistical Exhibit participated by agencies like the NSO, DAR, DTI, NFA, DepEd, PNP, DILG and provincial offices to name a few, Aklan will also conduct a Statistics Quiz and Presentation of Statistical Papers and Awarding Ceremonies. (PIA)

Fundador

January 17th, 2008, 05:53 PM

MMDA chair to grace Kalibo Ati fest

by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan (17 January) — Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando will be gracing this year’s Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival too, along with other national political personalities who earlier expressed their interest in attending the “Mother of all Festivals”.

According to the Office of the Municipal Mayor here, Chairman Fernando will be arriving Friday, January 18 in Kalibo and conduct a courtesy call to Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, after which he would proceed to Sampaguita Gardens in New Washington, Aklan for a press conference and an awarding ceremony spearheaded by the Publishers Association of the Philippines (PAPI) in cooperation with the Aklan Press Club and the local government of Kalibo.

Chairman Bayani Fernando is expected to do the “sadsad” or street dancing in the streets of Kalibo along with the MMDA Band he would be bringing along composed of some 50 personnel.

The Office of the Mayor also disclosed that BF will lend his presence in the Ati-atihan Street Dancing Contest on Saturday, visit the Kalibo Ati-atihan Product Showcase at the Kalibo Pastrana Park, join the snake dancing at Magsaysay Park and other culminating activities of the festival.

The Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival this year is celebrated from January 18-20 although many activities were already conducted earlier in the week.

habagatcentral1

January 17th, 2008, 05:54 PM

^^ Ham-at mokari si Bayani sa AtiAtihan? It'll be my 1st AtiAtihan by the way! :banana:

Fundador

January 17th, 2008, 05:54 PM

DENR to present Boracay environmental master plan soon

Kalibo, Aklan — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is ready to present its recently-crafted Environmental Master Plan of Boracay Island.

According to Derlito Rico, Environment Management Specialist of the DENR here, the master plan is set to be presented soon to Boracay Island’s stakeholders, local government officials and other concerned individuals so together, they could harmonize and integrate their plans and vision for the sustainability and preservation of the island.

Rico said the crafting of the Environmental Master Plan for the island was an offshoot of DENR Secretary Lito Atienza’s ordered moratorium on the unabated and unregulated construction activities in the island.

The Boracay Environmental Master Plan was drafted by a Technical Working Group created by the regional office of the DENR, according to Rico.

The master plan covers all areas of Boracay Island – its forest lands, protected areas, coastal zone, the beach front, and others.

With the crafting and the scheduled presentation to the public of the master plan, the DENR here is optimistic that zoning regulations in the construction of establishments will be observed by owners and imposed by local officials of Malay, Aklan.

“Political will in the implementation of ordinances and laws in the island is very urgent in order to preserve and save Boracay Island, the goose that lays the golden eggs for Aklan and for the country,” Rico said. (PIA)by Venus G. Villanueva

Fundador

January 17th, 2008, 05:55 PM

CSC now receiving nominations for Outstanding Public Officials search

by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan (17 January) — The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Field Office here is ready to receive nominations for the Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees for this year.

According to Evelyn Ejar, Director II of CSC-Aklan, many Aklanons had been recipients of awards conferred by the Civil Service Commission for their exemplary service in the government.

Recent Aklanon awardees, Ejar disclosed, include Dr. Josette Talamera Biyo (Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award) who, according to her, although based in Iloilo City, came from Ibajay, Aklan; and Johann C. Cawaling, Master Teacher II from Kalibo Elementary School, CSC Pag-Asa Award finalist.

According to the CSC, the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is conferred to an individual or group of individuals for exceptional or extraordinary contributions resulting from an idea or performance that had nationwide impact on public interest, security and patrimony. The contribution may be a suggestion, innovation, invention or superior accomplishment. The Pag-Asa award, on the other hand, is conferred on an individual or group of individuals for outstanding contributions resulting from an idea or performance that directly benefit more than one department of the government.

The CSC said other recent CSC awardees from Aklan are Ms. Eleanor R. Isada, Municipal Government Department Head of Kalibo, Outstanding HRMP and Ma. Cecile Ignacio of the Metro Kalibo Water District (MKWD) here, finalist in the Search for Outstanding HRMP. Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo also became a semi-finalist for the search for Outstanding Public officials in 2006.

Director Ejar expressed optimism that for this year’s Search, many Aklanons will get nominated, as she believes there are many exemplary government workers and officials in Aklan who render service unselfishly and exceptionally.

“Working in the government is a sacred mission. Let us love our work and give our people importance. We give the people importance when we do our best for them”, Director Ejar stressed.

Fundador

January 17th, 2008, 06:05 PM

Korean filmmaker shoots movie in Boracay

The Korean invasion steps up to another level as a leading film production house in Korea starts shooting its latest movie in the tropical paradise of Boracay.

The Department of Tourism has recently welcomed the arrival of the cast and crew behind the romantic comedy Feel So Good, produced by Korea’s Story Factory and DRM Entertainment Co. Ltd. The twin film outfit is known for creating some of the most popular light-hearted features in Korea.

According to Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, “The department has long been supportive of media projects such as this. It strategically helps us promote the islands in a manner that appeals to the intellect and sentiments of the audience. By appearing as a backdrop in a movie, we show potential tourists the unique experiences that await them.”

Manila Standard

Fundador

January 17th, 2008, 06:07 PM

Boracay still not free from Brostispa, says PCA

by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan Boracay is still not free from Brontispa, a coconut leaf beetle that has been ravaging coconut and palm trees in Boracay Island and in other parts of Luzon. The good news however, according to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) here, is that the coconut pest has been contained in the island.

By being contained, PCA Provincial Officer Plevy Raco said this means that up to this time, the dreaded coconut pest’s infestation is still confined in the island and has not reached mainland Aklan yet.

The Bronstispa is an invasive pest introduced to the country, presumably in early 2004 via importation of ornamental palms. It causes great damage to seedlings and mature coconut trees and ornamental palms thereby killing the young spears and eventually the whole tree.

Raco said Boracay Island has more or less 22,000 coconut trees. Of these, some 10,100 had been treated while 12,000 remain unaffected. However, the PCA observed that although there are coconut trees that have recovered from the infestation, they also saw that the infestation keeps recurring, so they have decided to treat all the coconut trees in the island.

The PCA also revealed that some 6,000 ornamental palms in the island were also treated, with recurrence also observed. Because of this, the PCA has advised resort owners to spray their ornamental palms every 15 days to rid their plants of Brontispa.

“We have noticed that when ornamental palms are sprayed with Karate (a pesticide), the Brontispa could be controlled. Boracay Regency Hotel’s ornamental palms remain green and healthy unlike those from other resorts because they spray their palms regularly,” Raco said.

Besides spraying the trees with pesticides, the PCA has also released some 6,000 earwigs to help control the Bronstispa population through biological means.

The earwig is a black insect that eats the eggs of the Brontispa. The PCA here said that the earwigs, distributed at 10 earwigs per coconut tree in Boracay, were sourced from the provinces of Negros Occidental and Capiz, besides Aklan.

Considering that the Brontispa infestation keeps recurring, the PCA expects that the pest eradication in the island will take some time. PCA’s and other concerned agencies’ war against Brontispa has been waged since August of last year.

The provincial government of Aklan has been coordinating also with concerned agencies to keep the coconut pest from reaching mainland Aklan, because once the coconut trees in the mainland get infested, many small coconut farmers as well as budding coconut-based industries in the province will be affected.

gen1

January 18th, 2008, 02:11 AM

^^ eawigs ? 'diba yan yung umubos sa mga kasamahan ni khan sa Star Trek - The Revenge of Khan :lol:

spacewagon1

January 18th, 2008, 08:00 PM

Don't forget to post photos of Ati-atihan Festival !

Hala Bira Kalibo !

:banana::banana::banana::banana:

spacewagon1

January 18th, 2008, 08:03 PM

WoW Boracay ! Truly, the Philippines' Jewel and Premiere Tourist Destination.

Thanks for posting photos of Boracay, Eric.

spacewagon1

January 19th, 2008, 04:20 AM

Chinese envoy, Roxas,
Drilon, BF to grace Kalibo Ati fest
By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Philippines Song Tao will visit Aklan to witness the 796th Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival on January 18.

Also coming over are Sen. Mar Roxas and former Senate President Franklin Drilon. A press conference at the Gov. Roberto Q. Garcia Building here will be held in the morning.

Top provincial officials lead by Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez and Cong. Florencio Miraflores will welcome Roxas, president of the Liberal Party.

The highlight dates of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival, considered the “Mother of All Philippine Festivals," are January 19 to 20. It is celebrated in honor of Señor Sto. Niño.

In his visit in the provinces, Ambassador Song Tao is pressing for stronger China-RP relationship in terms of tourism and trade.

Meanwhile, Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is the guest of honor and inducting officer of the Aklan Press Club on January 18.

Fernando will be a recipient of the good governance award along with Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo from the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI).

source: Panay News (http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/aklan1.htm)

Fundador

January 19th, 2008, 02:43 PM

uy bwas na gali ang Ati Aithan Festival.....Hala Bira!:banana::banana::banana::banana:

firstclass

January 21st, 2008, 05:48 AM

some pictures i took at boracay.

one of the cheapest place to dine at boracay's talipapa. i guess the price posted here is per kilo basis.

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd42/dee0213/09182007772.jpg?t=1200886868

Boracay Regency - really good accommodation

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd42/dee0213/09172007733.jpg?t=1200887142

sunken bar at boracay regency

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd42/dee0213/09182007759.jpg?t=1200887009

oysters

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd42/dee0213/boracay070.jpg?t=1200887101

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

spacewagon1

January 21st, 2008, 06:08 PM

whare are the pictures? Please post 'em here guys !

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

Hala Bira Kalibo!

:banana::banana::banana::banana:

spacewagon1

January 21st, 2008, 06:13 PM

New Caticlan airport terminal OK’ed
By Darwin G. Amojelar, Reporter

THE Cabinet Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has approved the construction of a new passenger terminal at the Caticlan Airport in Aklan to serve the rising influx of tourists to world-renowned Boracay Island.

The NEDA said the Caticlan Airport Development Project would cost P2.51 billion to be funded by the Caticlan International Airport and Development Corp. (CIADC), a Filipino-owned company. The project is an unsolicited build operate transfer (BOT) project with no funding required from the government.

The project has two phases. The first phase costing P 2.12 billion involves the preparatory works and the construction of a new passenger-building terminal, which expected to start within the year.

The second phase will cost P388 million and involves the extension of the runway at the reclaimed area, the expansion of the passenger terminal building and apron, both of which will be undertaken between 2012 and 2014. The influx of tourists also resulted in the rise in the frequency of flights to the area.

CIADC, the project proponent, intends to finance the development through a mix of bank loan and private sector equity at a ratio of 70 percent and 30 percent, respectively.

The NEDA document said the expected benefits include the increased capacity of airport passengers, the accommodation of regional flights and larger aircrafts, lower rates, an increase in passenger traffic, convenience and accessibility, and the improved quality of service and passenger safety and security.

The existing Caticlan Airport is classified as a feeder airport serving the general area of the town of Malay. “Due to the increasing passengers, both domestic and foreign [mostly going to Boracay Island], it is currently the third busiest airport in the Philippines [with] the fifth highest number of passengers and the second highest number of aircraft movement,” the NEDA said.

Over the past 10 years, the airport experienced a very significant increase in passenger traffic, from 52,230 in 1994 to 349,960 in 2004, or an annual average growth of 31 percent.

“With increasing congestion at the airport, the level of service has deteriorated, causing not only inconvenience but safety hazards to air travelers,” the NEDA said.

Rivals Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines have since purchased additional aircraft to serve the rising passenger traffic in Boracay.

Cebu Pacific has ordered 10 turbo-prop ATR 72-500 aircraft worth more than $178 million, which will be used for smaller airports like Caticlan, while Air Philippines would buy six brand-new Bombardier Q300 turbo-prop aircraft.

Other airlines serving Caticlan airport are Asian Spirit and Southeast Asian Airline.

Besides the airport project, the NEDA committee also approved the P1- billion-flood control project in Northern Mindanao to be funded by state-owned National Power Corp. The project intends to eliminate the flooding in the area to increase power generation.

source: Manila Times (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/jan/22/yehey/business/20080122bus4.html)

^^^^ congrats Caticlan ! Well done !

Now both Catcilan and Kalibo airports in Aklan is undergoing/will undergo great developments. Gee, a feeder airport beating other major airports in the country? That's a way to go for Caticlan !

Hala Bira Aklan ! :banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

flymordecai

January 22nd, 2008, 12:42 PM

I was at Boracay for a couple of days from January 10-12. Some of my pictures from Boracay:

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r64/jborlongan/boracay1.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r64/jborlongan/boracay2.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r64/jborlongan/boracay3.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r64/jborlongan/boracay4.jpg

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r64/jborlongan/boracay5.jpg

-----

My first time there, and I loved it. Although it's very commercialized and developed now, it's still very beautiful.

Fundador

January 22nd, 2008, 05:06 PM

BID collects record high P1.74 billion visa fees in 2007

by Venus G. Villanueva

New Washington, Aklan (22 January) — The Bureau of Immigration and Deportation’s (BID) 2007 Visa Fees collection of P1.74 billion in 2007 is an all time high, the highest the bureau has ever collected over the previous years.

This was revealed by Commissioner Marcelino Libanan of the BID who was in Aklan recently to personally look into problems and concerns regarding immigration particularly in the island of Boracay as well as meeting with foreigners in the island engaging in business and other activities.

According to Commissioner Libanan, BID’s visa fees collection in 2007 was way above its P370 million target.

“The BID is not a revenue generating agency yet we have performed well even on a budget equal to that of a small province,” Commissioner Libanan told members of Aklan media at the press conference at the Sampaguita Gardens in New Washington, Aklan held January 21.

“Even with a small budget of P319 million in 2007, we managed to uphold the country’s sovereignty by protecting the country against fugitives, terrorists and syndicates.

Commissioner Libanan also revealed that now, request for visa extension in the country could be obtained in one day.

“Before, when a foreigner applies for a visa extension, processing could take from 3 weeks to 51 days. Today, if a foreigner applies for visa extension in the morning, he could get it in the afternoon. If he applies in the afternoon, he could get it the following morning,” Libanan said.

Libanan said the process is called Visa Issuance Made Simple or VIMS, which is being used as a model for other government agencies.

Libanan also announced at the press conference that soon, people from the BID will be visiting Boracay Island to conduct inspection on foreigners doing business in the island.

“Foreigners working in Boracay must have working visas, special work permits and they should follow the laws of the Philippines. They could work and enjoy in the country but they should only handle jobs which could not be done by Filipinos and leave the other jobs to the locals.

Commissioner Libanan called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here to check on foreigners doing business in Boracay Island if they are working based on Retail Trade Laws, and on the local government of Malay, Aklan where Boracay Island is, because it is the office releasing business permits.

“The BID, the DTI and the Dept. of Tourism are all for investments and tourism but are not for foreigners not following Philippine laws,” Libanan said.

Commissioner Libanan has designated Vic Cunanan, an Aklanon, to assist on immigration concerns in Aklan.

pinoybeachboy

January 22nd, 2008, 05:29 PM

http://bp1.blogger.com/_aMoPnE0Cbyk/R5YK4VQEm9I/AAAAAAAAAYU/2SU19k5XtZY/s1600/aati3.jpg

pinoybeachboy

January 22nd, 2008, 05:34 PM

http://bp0.blogger.com/_aMoPnE0Cbyk/R5YK4FQEm8I/AAAAAAAAAYM/BK7_n6LDXaY/s1600/aati2.jpg

pinoybeachboy

January 22nd, 2008, 05:43 PM

http://bp3.blogger.com/_aMoPnE0Cbyk/R5YK31QEm7I/AAAAAAAAAYE/rvhbUaI5z9M/s1600/aati1.jpg

eonynx

January 23rd, 2008, 04:09 PM

chymera00

January 24th, 2008, 09:12 AM

Ati-atihan 2008
Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines

Retablo of the Kalibo Cathedral

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2396/2215406193_b6accdb225.jpg

Ati-atihan Parade

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2290/2215406429_d10d310e5e.jpg

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http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/2215409093_8723bf3b9f.jpg

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Fireworks Display

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New nice looking building in Kalibo (I like the roof)

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Swampy Mangrove forest | Bakhawan Eco Park

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eonynx

January 24th, 2008, 12:41 PM

^^congratulations nga pala sa aklan for the succesful celebration of their ati-atihan festival! and nice pictures by the way!:)

Fundador

January 25th, 2008, 03:40 AM

PIA now accepts IWAG Award 2008 nominations

by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan — The Philippine Information Agency in Region 6, Iloilo City is now accepting nominations for the 2008 IWAG Award.

Given by PIA 6 since l977, the IWAG Award is an incentive scheme designed by the agency to give recognition to campus paper writers who excel in development communication.

Atty. Ma. Janet Mesa, PIA Asst. Director General for Visayas and at the same time Regional Director of PIA 6 said that to qualify, a nominee, who is either a high school or graduating student of his school, must be a bonafide staff member of the school’s official or departmental publications, must have participated in PIA 6 conducted Basic Journalism Trainings/Conferences and must meet all the prescribed criteria in the IWAG AWARD Evaluation Form.

Each school publication is entitled to send one nominee only who had passed the school’s selection committee. Sending more than one will mean disqualification of all nominees as it violates the criteria. Only a nominee who has obtained an average rating of at least 85% from the IWAG AWARD Evaluation Committee of PIA 6 can qualify as an awardee.

IWAG AWARD recipients will receive a Gold Medal and a Citation.

In Aklan, a substantial number of students had been recipients of this award since the PIA started giving the IWAG Award in 1977, most of them now gainfully working in government offices.

Deadline of submission of nominations is on or before February 10, 2008. For Aklan nominees, they could forward or submit their nominations at PIA Provincial Information Center, 3rd Floor, Provincial Capitol Building, Kalibo, Aklan. (PIA)

pinoybeachboy

January 27th, 2008, 05:37 AM

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[dx]

January 29th, 2008, 06:17 AM

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Boracay

Photos by stansantiago (http://flickr.com/photos/stanships/)

Fundador

January 29th, 2008, 05:01 PM

BSP, OWWA reach out to OFWs; promote saving habits, productive investments

by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan (29 January) — Savings, investment in financial products and business ventures – these were some of the choices given by the lecturers here to Aklanon Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their beneficiaries when the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) here and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) recently held a Financial Literacy Campaign (FLC) to teach the former on how to make their hard-earned remittance money work.

The FLC, which was held at the ACP Building was attended by a big number of Aklanon OFWs and their beneficiaries, with speakers coming from the BSP, OWWA, Philamlife, Department of Agriculture (DA), Federation of Rural Banks, and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The FLC in Aklan, according to Leonora Templonuevo, OIC of BSP- Kalibo Branch, is the 18th in a series that was launched in Cebu City in 2006 yet, with nine more campaigns scheduled in 2008.

Templonuevo said the BSP and OWWA launched the ongoing advocacy campaign to inform the OFWs and their beneficiaries about alternative uses of their hard-earned money.

“This is part of OWWA and BSP’s continuing effort to reach out to more overseas Filipinos and their beneficiaries as we aim to realize our dual objectives of helping channel remittances to development activities and promoting the saving habits among overseas Filipinos and their beneficiaries,” Templonuevo told the participants in her welcome remarks.

Templonuevo stressed that the BSP continues to take a pro-active role in the quest of the overseas Filipinos to improve their lives and to contribute to the upliftment of the nation’s economy.

“We consider overseas Filipinos as our partners in promoting price stability and ensuring the convertibility of the peso through sustained foreign exchange inflows,” Templonuevo said.

Templonuevo said the BSP has formulated several measures to improve the remittance environment for overseas Filipinos. Currently, the BSP is encouraging banks and financial institutions to further reduce remittance fees charged to OFWs and their beneficiaries.

According to Ruth Gonzaga, Acting Bank Officer VI, BSP – Department of Economic Statistics, one of the speakers in the FLC, 10% of the country’s total population is composed of OFWs, remitting a total of 14.1 billion U.S. dollars for the period January to November 2007; from only 4.3 billion U.S. dollars in 1996.

Gonzaga said based on the records of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), there were 6.4 million Filipino migrant workers deployed in all parts of the world in 2006, compared with 8.2 million in 2006.

To emphasize the importance of government agencies in aiding OFWs, Leila Reunir, a former Aklanon OFW who is now a successful micro-entrepreneur was asked to give a testimony.

In her stint as an OFW who had worked in many countries, Reunir related that she was also able to seek the assistance of the OWWA when she needed help while working abroad, and also became a scholarship grantee of the government agency.

Now a micro-entrepreneur with her husband and son both working abroad, Reunir said she makes sure their remittances are put to good use through investments, and urged those present to do the same.

Fundador

January 29th, 2008, 05:03 PM

Aklan to hold 1st Akeanon campus journalism writeshop

by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan (29 January) — A two-day Akeanon Campus Journalism Writeshop will be conducted here for Aklan’s budding and promising campus journalists on February 1-2 at designated workshop venues in Kalibo.

A first of its kind, the writeshop, seen to be attended by some 400 campus paper writers and advisers from the elementary, high school and college levels from public and private schools in the province of Aklan, is sponsored by the Provincial Government of Aklan, Congressional District Office and the Department of Education here.

In conceptualizing the writeshop, the sponsors – Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez, Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores and the DepEd officials here wanted to ensure that the future of Aklan print and broadcast media practitioners will evolve into a truly respected and noble Fourth Estate, envisioning the event as a breakthrough in providing the fundamentals to budding writers especially in instilling responsible and ethical journalism.

The writeshop proponent’s rationale stressed that for a long time, the development and enhancement of the capacities of Akeanon youths as manifested by projects assisted by the local government was focused on sports development programs with limited efforts geared towards training and enrichment of other proficiency besides leadership such as journalism and communication skills.

“Much can be done to improve the stock of budding writers all over Aklan. Of late, the credibility of the broadcast media has been tainted by a number of practitioners who deliberately set aside ethics and good taste. These broadcasters/writers sensationalize issues without working for a truly balanced presentation and giving due process for people concerned. Driven by personal interests and bribes, they abuse media autonomy to assassinate characters,” went the activity’s rationale.

Speakers coming for the writeshop to lecture on various interesting topics include Eugene Mallorca who will lecture on Media Communication Process to Elementary school paper advisers; Atty. Ronquillo Tolentino, Journalistic Ethics; Jude Thaddeus Iledan, Newswriting for Print; Prof. Raffy Galan, Scriptwriting for Broadcast and Broadcast Principles and Techniques; Nestor Burgos, Editorial Writing and Column Writing; and Prof. Danny Arao, Feature Writing.

On the other hand, lecturers for high school, college students and teachers will be Jude Thaddeus Iledan who will talk on Media Communication Process; Prof. Danny Arao, Journalism Ethics, Editorial Writing and Column Writing; Nestor Burgos, Newswriting for Print and Feature Writing; and Mr. Mallorca, Scriptwriting for Broadcast and Broadcast Principles and Practice.

Writeshops, critiquing and a newscasting contest will be held on the second day after the lectures, with awards and prizes awaiting the winners.

In the evening of February 1, a Solidarity Night for Aklanon Journalists and government information officers will be held. Some members of the Aklan Public Information Officers Association (APIOA), an association of government PIOs from the local government units and national government agencies are also expected to attend the writeshop.

According to the writeshop’s secretariat, composed of Precy Magallanes and Jude Thaddeus Iledan of DepEd, Franklin Quimpo of Provincial Barangay Affairs Office, Engr. Roger M. Esto of PPDO-Aklan, Mrs. Phoebe Quisoy of PIA-Aklan and Mrs. Ruby Estrada of the Regional Science High School, everything is already in place for the writeshop.

Registration, meals and snacks for two days and writeshop materials will be provided for free to participants by the sponsoring offices

Fundador

January 30th, 2008, 03:13 PM

Aklan gets bigger share from ‘08 budget, solon says

by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan (30 January) — Compared with what the province got from the national government budget last year, Aklan will be getting a bigger share from the budget this year, with its recent Congress approval, according to Aklan’s lone Representative to Congress Florencio T. Miraflores.

In an interview over a local radio station here, Miraflores said the bulk of Aklan’s budget share will be used for further improvement of the Kalibo Airport here to attain an international gateway status, strengthen the runway to protect incoming and outgoing airplanes, and construction of a new terminal building to accommodate more passengers arriving through international flights.

Miraflores said Aklan stands to get more or less P300 million from the budget this year, which, besides being use to develop the Kalibo Airport, would also be utilized to construct the national road network from Malay to Buruanga, repair portion of the national highway in Altavas, and finish the circumferential road in Boracay Island.

Aklan’s tourism industry will also gain much from the 2008 national budget, Miraflores said.

In general, Congressman Miraflores said this year’s budget will allot more funds for the government’s social services, health services, education as wll as infrastructure development throughout the country.

Earlier, Malacanang appealed to Congress for the immediate passage of the General Aprropriations Act because its approval would surely boost the country’s present economic gains recognized by Moody’s.

“The government needs to be fully supported by the budget to go full steam ahead in its infrastructural expenditure program, which will give the economy the fuel to drive the country’s gains to even higher ground,” according to a Malacanang statement.

With its approval, House Speaker Jose de Venecia expects that the P1.227-trillion national budget will be ready and be signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo by Feb. 1 or 2.

eonynx

January 30th, 2008, 05:12 PM

some good photos here!:)

Fundador

January 31st, 2008, 04:20 PM

BIR collection leap: P100 million more in ‘07

by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan (31 January) — From P329,628,811 tax collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) here in 2006, a total of P499,245,849 was collected in 2007, registering a 26.19% increase - or a leap of P103.6 million in collections.

This is a testimony to the continued economic growth of Aklan, according to Governor Carlito S. Marquez, who especially cited the BIR here for the accomplishment in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) he delivered January 31.

“Another tangible proof of Aklan’s economic progress is the registration of 789 new taxpayers - individuals, corporations, and other business partnerships,” Gov. Marquez said, thanking OIC Revenuie District Officer Nelia Demalata and staff.

In the same report, Gov. Marquez praised the performance of the Provincial Treasurer’s Office here for its excellent collection efficiency.

According to Gov. Marquez, the province’ revenue generation program which covers real property tax, business and other taxes, fees, charges, and receipts from the province’ economic enterprises, Aklan has invariably ranked no. 1 in the ratings of the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Also, because of the implementation of the 2006 General Revision and the computerization of the real property tax administration, the province posted a collection of 64.18% or P75.35 million of its 2007 target of P117.42 million, the highest in Region 6, Gov. Marquez reported.

“For fees and other charges, our Provincial Treasurer’s Office topped collection efficiency with a 102.07% performance or P58,933,470 against the annual target of P57,737,470, ” the governor revealed.

His report also bared that from January to December 2007, the Economic Enterprise facilities of the province collected revenues amounting to123,362,615.55 against P81,207,037.08 in 2006, an increase of P42,155,578.47 or 52% higher.

On the part of the Caticlan and Cagban Jetty ports collections, from P30,647,878.91 in 2006 to P41,451,205.24, a jump of P10.8 million.

Governor Marquez acknowledged that these revenues were obtained because of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SNRH) or RORO cargo fees (P11 million), berthing and docking fees (2.8 million), cargo and other port collections.

Because of the RORO, Gov. Marquez also said passengers and cargo traffic at the Caticlan port has steadily increased - passengers in 2004 reached 200,000; in 2005, 216,000; in 2006,677,000; and 2007, 884,000.

Rolling vehicles in 2004 reached l9,000; 2005, 22,000; 2006, 677,000; and 2007, 88,000.

Caticlan, the jump-off point to Boracay Island, is the port of entry of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway in Panay, inaugurated in 2003 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

attitude2win

February 1st, 2008, 02:06 AM

ei guys

what can u recommend station 1 resorts? cheap station 1 resorts... maybe P1500 per night will do... hehee... which is the best restaurant in the island... do they offer exotic cuisines? thanks

lightsaber46

February 1st, 2008, 04:42 AM

Boracay unfit for big-scale development — DENR
http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080201115944.html

Danny Fajardo

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan — Boracay Island is not fit to large-scale construction and development, an official from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

DENR provincial officer Raoul Lorrilla explained that the island is located along the Tablas fault and the threat of earthquake and even tsunamis is possible.

In view of this, DENR required resorts and stakeholders in Boracay to get a geo-hazard impact certificate.

"This is to ensure that their establishment is environment-friendly," he said, adding that the geo-hazard certificate is obtained from the DENR’s Geo and Mines Bureau (GMB).

Lorrilla said the DENR decided to add the GMB-issued certificate as requirements to stakeholders as they observed that some of them are putting their establishments anywhere in the island without even considering that they might disrupt the environment.

He cited a resort constructed on a cave in Boracay. Lorrilla said they do not know if the resort will be safe in the future because of its location.

The DENR is currently investigating five more resorts, allegedly operating without the required Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC).

Fundador

February 1st, 2008, 04:35 PM

PDIC takes over four branches of CRBA banks

Kalibo, Aklan — Many Aklanons were surprised Wednesday afternoon when personnel from the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) simultaneously took over the four branches of the Cooperative Rural Bank of Aklan (CRBA).

Ferdinand Bilowano, the PDIC team leader, said that they stormed the four rural banks at around 3:30 pm, Wednesday after the insurance corporation released the Monetary Board resolution number 105 dated January 30.

The PDIC has sent personnel to the CRBA branches in Kalibo, Ibajay, Caticlan and Altavas in order to implement the simultaneous take over of the cooperative rural bank.

“The personnel’s role is to oversee the operation of the respective branches of the CRBA and to answer all the queries of depositors who are expected to troop to the bank after they receive news of the take over,” Bilowano said.

Other depositors, however, frowned to the PDIC take over wondering why the expected arrival of the PDIC has been delayed since last year.

“As soon as we have conducted the inventory of the assets of the CRBA, we will start paying the depositors to as much as P250,000 of their deposits. The other remaining balance (more than P250,000 deposits) will be paid after the assets of the CRBA have been all liquidated,” Bilowano said./ News Today

Fundador

February 2nd, 2008, 04:37 AM

Gov. Marquez declares
a better Aklan economy

KALIBO, Aklan - Governor Carlito Marquez reported a better Aklan economy and gave his promise to sustain it during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) yesterday.

Marquez underscored the cooperation and support of all national and local government agencies including the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan and the Vice Governor and Congressional District Office in his 36-page SOPA.

Among those projects Marquez reported is the planned marketing study of the California Energy which proposes for the establishment of $420 million Aklan Hydroelectric Project in Libacao town.

"Agriculture is our bread and tourism is the butter which emerged as reliable and effective complement to our two-pronged approach to economic development," Marquez said.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) reported that Boracay Island has registered a total of 596,748 tourists and was able to accumulate tourism receipts of P10.9 billion.

"As I have pointed out earlier, our revenues from Caticlan and Cagban Jetty Ports rose by P10.8 million from P30,647, 878 in 2006 to P47, 451, 205 in 2007," Marquez said.

"The installation of the instrument landing system at our Kalibo Airport can now accommodate bigger planes which can land even at night. Last year, the Incheon, South Korea-Kalibo Airport flight route was inaugurated and last December almost 13,000 South Korean tourists visited Boracay via the routes," he added.

Marquez also announced sustainability of the province agriculture programs such as continued support for rice production and the increase of hectares of land planted for abaca./Panay news

anone

February 3rd, 2008, 03:29 PM

My Boracay Pictures(Jan 10 - 13)

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chocolato1000

February 3rd, 2008, 05:38 PM

Boracay residents turned off by Barber sidewalk engraving

BORACAY ISLAND -- Sino po si Barbers? Pulitiko ba siya? (Who is Barbers? Is he a politician?)

This was the reaction of a fruit vendor to the name of Robert Dean Barbers, general manager and chief executive officer of the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), which was engraved on sidewalks along the main road of this island-resort.

Barbers has drawn flak from some residents and resort owners after his name appeared on the PTA seal etched in many sections of the cemented walk marking the P140-million PTA drainage system project.

“He has no right (to put his name) because that (project comes from) our money. Why, is he running for office?” said a resort owner and longtime resident. The owner asked not to be identified out of concern for his business because of Barbers’ position and authority.

Another resort owner, a community leader, said including Barbers’ name in the seal showed “lack of professional ethics.”

“People’s money, not his personal money, was spent on that project. It’s giving the wrong impression on how government officials spend our money,” the resort owner said.

“It’s bad taste … In our country, we don’t have people like him,” said a European expatriate.

Barbers downplayed the use of his name in the engraving.

“It was the project’s architect who designed that. I was surprised when I saw it. But I don’t see anything wrong with it,” Barbers told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a telephone interview on Sunday.

As in the case of many politicians who put their names on waiting sheds, roads and bridges, Barbers’ name was prominently displayed on the PTA engravement.

The seal is about two feet in diameter and spans almost the whole width of the sidewalk that covers the drainage pipes. The seal has three circles, with the PTA logo at the center in red, yellow, white and blue.

Engraved in the second circle are the words “Philippine Tourism Authority 1973.” The last circle bears the slogan “Pilipino sa Turismo ay Aktibo” and the name “Robert Dean S. Barbers” in blue.

The engraved seal can be found at intervals of almost every 50 meters on one side of a four-kilometer stretch of the main road from Barangay Balabag, located at the center of the 1,000-hectare island, to Barangay Manoc-Manoc at the southern end.

The road is the main thoroughfare for the island’s more than 13,000 residents and foreign and local tourists. It runs parallel to Boracay’s world famous white beach.

Hayden Bandiola, a bar owner and civil engineering graduate, said putting Barbers’ name on the PTA logo might have been acceptable had it been placed about a kilometer apart.

Ideally, however, the project should not have carried the name of Barbers since “it’s his obligation to construct infrastructure projects,” said Bandiola.

The PTA, which is tasked with developing, supervising and operating tourism projects and areas, has several projects on the island, including the operation of the Boracay Water and Sewage System (BWSS). The drainage system is among the measures being undertaken to help solve the problem of flooding.

Barbers said the installation of the pipes was about 90-percent complete. But it has been stalled by right of way problems. The PTA has filed expropriation cases before the Kalibo Regional Trial Court for three areas where it plans to build pumping stations to flush out rainwater to the sea.

Asked if he planned to run for public office, Barbers said he had no such plans because of the bad experience of his father, the late former Sen. Robert Barbers.

Robert Barbers ran for reelection in the May 2004 polls but, in a protest-marred vote count, lost to Sen. Rodolfo Biazon in their fight for the last slot in the 12-way senatorial race.

The PTA chief’s brother, Robert Ace, is a former congressman of the second district of Surigao del Norte and now governor of the province. Another brother, Robert Lyndon, also served as governor of Surigao del Norte.