NEWS

By Jun N. Aguirre 📸 Malay Transportation Office and Assistance Page (Facebook) With Boracay now operating on an almost entirely electric tricycle-based public transport system, local officials and industry stakeholders are calling for continued strict regulation to ensure the safety, quality and reliability of e-trikes serving residents and millions of tourists. Former Malay Municipal Councilor Dante Pagsuguiron, who authored Municipal Ordinance 508-2002, or the “E-Trike Law

By Jun N. Aguirre PhilHealth YAKAP booth at the Handog ng Pangulo caravan in Kalibo. 📸 Brigada News FM Kalibo Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) Program could become an important healthcare support mechanism for the Ati community in Boracay, particularly in bringing preventive and primary healthcare services closer to Indigenous families. Bien Paul Obordo, Aklan chief social insurance officer, said YAKAP is PhilHealth’s primary care p

By Jun N. Aguirre (From left) Councilors Sheila Sacapaño, Hope Pagsuguiron, Richelda Sinag, Jhonnel Casidsid, GBTA Pres. Michelle Taylan, Mayor Frolibar Bautista, Malaysian Ambassador H.E. Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Councilors Vicky Aguirre-Salem and Nathalie Paderes 📸 Malay-Boracay Tourism Office Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista plans to pursue a cashless payment system in Boracay, as the local government moves toward greater digitalization of tourism services and tra

By Jun N. Aguirre 📸 DEPDev Region VI (Facebook) The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay is calling for the creation of an inter-agency task force to help ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply in Boracay and Malay amid continuing concerns over power availability, possible rate increases and uncertainties in the international energy market. Malay Councilor Vicky Aguirre-Salem told the Boracay Sun News on August 12 that the proposed task force should include the Municipal Gove

Filipino swimmers make their mark as Boracay hosts regional championships By Jun N. Aguirre 📸 Boracay Newcoast Boracay’s familiar waves took on a different rhythm from August 21 to 23 as swimmers from across Southeast Asia plunged into the waters for three days of competition, testing their endurance and skills in open water. Boracay became the venue of the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships, bringing together nearly 200 swimmers from the Philippines, Indon

Emergency response incident prompts review of Boracay's response system By Rica Velasco An emergency involving an 11-month-old infant has prompted discussions about Boracay's emergency response system. This includes response times at the scene and the transfer of patients to hospitals on the island and the mainland. The issue started as a complaint from Boracay resident Cris Cahilig. It has since grown into a wider discussion involving the Municipal Government of Malay, the M

As previously promised by Caticlan-Boracay Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CBTMPC), effective July 1, Boracay-Caticlan and vice versa boat fares have been reverted back to ₱50. A provisional fare increase matrix took effect last April 16, triggered by rising diesel prices and operational expenses affecting motorized banca operations servicing Boracay, due to the Middle East oil crisis. For those with valid IDs, discounted fares can also be availed. Discount Cards for Boracay worke

By Jun N. Aguirre 📸 Malay-Boracay Tourism Office The first-ever Boracay Fishing Festival attracted about 310 anglers from Boracay and provinces across the Philippines, turning White Beach into a showcase of fishing skill, sportsmanship and community pride. Held on June 7, the jigging tournament was organized by the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) and the Boracay Fishing Festival organizers in partnership with the Local Government Unit of

By Jun N. Aguirre PLt. Col. Orlando Carag pays a courtesy call to Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores 📸 Jose Enrique "Joen" Miraflores (Facebook) The Philippine National Police (PNP) has officially deployed Police Lieutenant Colonel Orlando A. Carag Jr. as the new chief of the Malay Municipal Police Station (MPS). Since assuming command, PLt. Col. Carag has intensified police visibility through regular foot and mobile patrols and public safety initiatives in key areas of Malay and

By Jun N. Aguirre Councilor Aguirre-Salem commends Tabon Port management for its efforts in the ongoing development of the facility. 📸 SB Vicky Aguirre-Salem The ongoing development of the Tabon Port in Barangay Tabon, Malay, is expected to strengthen the municipality’s maritime transport network as Boracay continues to grapple with transportation challenges brought by the southwest monsoon or Habagat. According to a series of Facebook posts by Malay Councilor Maria Victoria

By Jun N. Aguirre The Boracay Business Administration of Scuba Shops (BBASS) and its member dive operators have sought reconsideration from the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) after the anti-trust agency imposed a total fine of ₱2.17 million for violating the Philippine Competition Act (PCA) through alleged price-fixing arrangements. The PCC recently ruled that BBASS and its 39 member dive shops coordinated minimum prices for scuba diving services, including introduct

By Jun N. Aguirre 📸 Senior Health Tips PH (Facebook) As the Philippines observes National Senior Citizens Day on August 21, the Municipal Government of Malay is encouraging senior citizens and their families to take advantage of the benefits and privileges provided under national laws, reaffirming its commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of the town’s elderly population. National Senior Citizens Day honors the contributions of older Filipinos to their families, c

By Jun N. Aguirre The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has admitted that electricity supply in the Visayas will remain tight for the rest of 2026 due to rising demand and limited available reserves. Over the past several weeks, the NGCP has placed the Visayas Grid under Red Alert on multiple occasions after operating reserves fell below the minimum level required to maintain a stable power system. The alerts were triggered by a combination of forced power p

Eala’s her-storic Wimbledon run is just the beginning. By Freida Dario-Santiago ROAR. The Philippines’ Alexandra Eala after winning her first-round match against Mexico’s Renata Zarazua in the 2026 Wimbledon Championships. 📸 Jaimi Joy, Reuters “In my mind, I always knew that this was what I wanted to do.” That simple statement from Alexandra “Alex” Eala perhaps explains everything. Long before she became the pride of Philippine tennis, before Centre Court applauded her, befo

The new “Discover More to Love” campaign aims to inspire Filipinos to explore their own country while supporting local economies and sustainable, year-round tourism. By Freida Dario-Santiago The Department of Tourism (DOT) has reaffirmed that “Love the Philippines” will remain the country's official tourism brand while introducing a refreshed domestic tourism campaign, “Discover More to Love,” aimed at inspiring more Filipinos to explore destinations across the archipelago. L

The True Meaning of Supporting Local in Boracay By Gene Loves Acosta The Philippine Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector makes up about 40% of the national economy. That’s a big number, but it becomes clearer when you realize that nine out of 10 businesses in the country fall into the micro category. These are ventures with assets of up to three million pesos, surviving on lean budgets and long hours. Beneath them lies an even wider base of nano-entrepreneurs: r

By Jun N. Aguirre Mayor Frolibar Bautista with members of the RACU PNP during the opening of the CIDG office in Caticlan. 📸 MDRRMO, Facebook Security across Boracay Island has been upgraded as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the primary investigation and operational support unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP), joins a massive multi-agency deployment. Part of a broader "Safer Cities" initiative, the move builds on security protocols established

By Freida Dario-Santiago Source link: https://www.lovethephilippines.travel/newsroom-and-media/news/tourism-chief-convenes-dot-attached-agency-heads-to-ensure-tourism-alignment-with-infra-dev-t-agenda-of-marcos-administration President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Dita Angara-Mathay as the new secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT), Malacañang announced on April 10, tapping a veteran trade and investment official to lead the country’s tourism sector. According to

SMC says proposal not abandoned, may still be revisited in the future By Freida Dario-Santiago San Miguel Corporation (SMC) issued a formal clarification on May 29 after reports and social media posts widely circulated claims that the company had withdrawn its controversial Boracay bridge proposal following mounting opposition from Aklan leaders and local stakeholders. The company stopped short of declaring a formal withdrawal of the proposal, saying instead that the project

The scheduled 12-hour power interruptions are over By Jun N. Aguirre The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has reported completing its rehabilitation project for its Unidos–Caticlan 69-kiloVolt (kV) Line last February 13, 2026. The project entailed the replacement of damaged underground cables in Boracay, requiring several 12-hour scheduled power interruptions, spread across the first quarter. Reagan Alcantara, lead specialist of the Public Relations Departm