This Week in Boracay and Iloilo (April 24 to 30, 2022)

Iloilo City and the province of Aklan, including Boracay Island, are included among more than half of the areas in the country placed under Alert Level 1 from April 16 until April 30.

Acting presidential spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar announced the updated alert level policy with the approval and recommendation of the national Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

The cities and municipalities under Alert Level 1 classification include New Lucena and Tubungan in Iloilo.

On the other hand, Iloilo Province is classified under Alert Level 2 until the end of the month without predisposing to their respective component city or municipality.

As of writing, 74.05% of the target population has been vaccinated. The latest count of 12.4 million Filipinos has already received their booster shots. [1]

As active cases in Iloilo continue to decline, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas approves of pushing the face-to-face classes in the city. Though Iloilo City is placed under Alert Level 1, schools are still not allowed to conduct face-to-face classes.

The mayor has also emphasized that the children should be fully vaccinated first before they resume attending the face-to-face classes.

Treñas hopes that the next president who will take over the country can think of more efficient solutions to address the concerns regarding the current pandemic.

Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corp.’s new FastCat sea vessel has officially deployed with the Dumangas, Iloilo to Banago, Negros Occidental, and vice-versa routes.

One vessel travels the Iloilo to Banago port route and vice-versa, and this second one is for use at Banago port. The Banago port can handle and receive the proliferating cargo that goes in and out of the sea premises.

The Banago Port has been improved and expanded by the Philippine Ports Authority through the Build, Build, Build Program for the port to cater to bigger and more vessels. The expansion of the port is also to connect to various trade and tourism sectors and businesses within the region.

The vessels are specially designed to adapt to the water conditions here in the country, as per APFC. [2]

Meanwhile, rehabilitation programs at the worldly popular tourist spot are still ongoing on Boracay Island. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) says that the rehabilitation works are anticipated to be done by the end of June, coinciding with the end of President Duterte’s administration.

The rehabilitation programs set for Boracay Island were also delayed because of the pandemic. Still, it is almost finished, as noted by the General Manager of the DENR-led Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group, Martin Jose Despi. He also said that the organization recently conducted a 3-day meeting to further assess the finishing work needed to rehabilitate and improve the general vicinities of Boracay Island.

Removing commercial structures and leaving the residential facilities as is, was also noted by Despi.

Commonly unknown to some, or even to most of the general population, only four-wheeled cars and vehicles are allowed in Boracay, and we bet you did not know about this policy.

A local news source has come to notice this through a correspondent. The white car policy is indeed implemented and indicated on paper since 2001.

The ordinance does not state the concrete reason for the said policy consistently implemented on Boracay Island. Aklan’s Senior Transportation Regulation Officer Cesar Oczon Jr. says that it might be implemented to complement Boracay Island’s white sand beach and the overall image of the stunning, pristine island. Oczon does not know the valid reason since he was not present when the ordinance was signed. [3]

Another reason might be that the local government unit wanted the vehicles in Boracay Island to be white to have a uniform image, resembling Boracay Island’s iconic white sand.

The government of Iloilo City eyes a possible surge of COVID-19 again. It is encouraging its residents and the public to avail of their booster shots, concluding that the initial dose of the vaccine is not enough to have immunity against the virus.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas says that more stocks of booster shot vaccines remain because of the low inoculation among the residents of Iloilo City.

Treñas shares that the national government is in talks of inoculating the senior citizens and the immunocompromised with booster shots. This would mean that the national government will allow four doses for every individual and others to have only two doses. [4]

Iloilo City is firm in encouraging its residents to get their booster shots to be sure to be protected from the virus.

With Iloilo City’s preparation to combat a possible surge this June, the provincial government is also currently in the works in preparing for a potential increase of cases.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor cites rising cases occurring abroad and may also occur in the country in the following months. The governor also pointed out the start of the flu season by around June this year. The governor also urges hospitals and medical facilities to start preparations as early as now. [5]

Tourists can enjoy Iloilo City’s first-ever pop-up mall, which has officially launched.

Cubix Park – Iloilo City has just opened and is currently based at Gaisano Capital Iloilo City Center, Benigno Aquino Avenue, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. The newest pop-up shopping and dining attraction in Iloilo City aims to become one of the most prominent destinations for entertainment, culture, and food hub. The pop-up mall is open daily from 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM. Some features and amenities to be enjoyed at the newest pop-up mall are the Selfie Box, Boating activities, Dualtron Ride, and Biking. These activities are available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM from Monday to Friday and from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Cubix Park – Iloilo City also features fashion and lifestyle brands, galleries, cafés, esthetic dining spots, and restaurants. This pop-up mall in Iloilo City also aims to bridge the communities by offering the best street food, drinks, and entertainment.

Also, in Iloilo City, the Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas just celebrated Filipino Food Month, magnifying the importance of promoting local and indigenous food products as one of the primary keys to economic recovery.

Filipino Food Month is celebrated with an agricultural trade fair and exhibit held at Robinson’s Place Iloilo. The exhibition features fresh fruits, vegetables, and value-added agri-fishery products. [6]

13 exhibitors and participants from Guimaras and Negros Occidental, and exhibitors from Iloilo.

Western Visayas is home to various indigenous food and products uniquely about Ilonggo cuisine.

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Boracay and Iloilo!