Boracay Bizmen Seek Help Stop Frequent Brownouts

By boy Ryan Zabal

The Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is asking the Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to amend an existing provincial ordinance to address the unregulated docking and anchoring of vessels near underwater cables and pipelines supplying electricity and water in the island resort.
The unregulated docking and anchoring of vessels are causing frequent power interruptions and water problems in the island too.
BCCI Secretary General Ma. Lyzzelle Ceralde said they want the regulation of the docking of vessels at Manoc-Manoc Beach and the full enforcement of the one-entry, one-exit provincial ordinance for the security, safety and economic viability of the island.The BCCI also urged the Aklan SP to include a directive in Provincial Ordinance No. 05-32 or the one-exit, one-entry scheme to utilize the Cagban Jetty Port as docking port and refrain vessels from passing through the area where the cables and pipelines are installed.
Boracay island is suffering from severe power trip offs and water shortage since February 2007 due to damaged pipelines and cables breakages due to the docking and anchoring of vessels at Manoc-Manoc Beach, Ceralde pointed out.
As identified, a cargo barge, LCT Filipino, damaged one of the two submarine cables. It worsened after unidentified vessels struck the cables on February 26 and April 22.
Ceralde stressed the stakeholders of the island – business establishments in the tourism industry – are being adversely affected by the cancellations of bookings and complaints from their guests.
"As a premier tourists destination, BCCI members could not tolerate the frequent brownouts and water shortages that are turning away tourists and thus ruin our main source of livelihood," Ceralde added.
The provincial government, according to Ceralde, has jurisdiction on the entry and exit of vessels in the island and the Aklan SP has the authority to legislate and amend the ordinance on docking of vessels in the island.
"Aklan SP could regulate the docking of vessels in Manoc-Manoc Beach by closing the area where the vital installations are located," she said.
According to BCCI, these vessels carrying cargoes and passengers violated the existing Provincial Ordinance No. 05-032, the ordinance that designates Caticlan Jetty Port in mainland Malay and the Cagban Jetty Port in Brgy. Manoc-Manoc as entry and exit ports.
"These vessels docking and anchoring at Manoc-Manoc Beach is a threat to the security and safety of Boracay," Ceralde said. /MP