INQUIRER MINDANAO FILE PHOTO
Profile: Malay town, Aklan province
Malay town in Aklan province lies on the northwestern tip of Panay Island. Three of its 17 villages are on the world-famous Boracay Island, the country’s prime tourist destination. Barangay Caticlan in Malay, where a jetty port and an international airport catering mostly to tourists are located, is the jump-off point to Boracay, known for its powdery white sand and vibrant night life.
Region: Western Visayas
Province: Aklan
Founded: June 15, 1949
Barangay: 17
Area: 66 square kilometers
Population: 45,811 (2010)
Density: 690 per square kilometer
Class: First-class municipality
CONCERN 1: OVERDEVELOPMENT
Unregulated development is a major concern in Boracay. What should be done to protect the environment?
Ciceron Cawaling (Nacionalista Party)
- Stop construction in the remaining forested areas especially in Barangay Yapak, a bat habitat.
- Coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in implementing laws … so there will be a balance between development and environmental protection.
John Yap (Liberal Party)
- Implement ordinances and laws especially on building construction, 30-meter easement and ban on smoking along the beach.
- Ensure campaigns on environment are supported by volunteers and residents.
- Make Boracay (clean-up) Day a non-working holiday.
CONCERN 2: MIGRATION
Boracay’s population has ballooned because of migrants and workers hired by business establishments, straining the island’s carrying capacity. How will you stop migration while maintaining the workforce?
Cawaling
- Business establishments, especially the big ones, will be required to put up housing facilities on the mainland for their own employees so migration will be reduced.
- A workers’ identification (ID) system should be implemented to identify those coming to work here. The IDs should have expiration dates.
Yap
- Support the building of a bridge connecting Boracay and the mainland to help address the population problem. We cannot force anyone to move but we need big players to invest [in the project].
CONCERN 3: ILLEGAL DRUGS
How will you address the problem of illegal drugs?
Cawaling
- Convene the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council and Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council to mobilize officials in the campaign against drug users and pushers.
- Ensure involvement of all sectors in anti-drug campaigns.
Yap
- Strengthen the Boracay Action Group as a volunteer group to help police and other government agencies.
- Invite business operators to support volunteers.