Mayor-elect Cawaling calls for unity in Boracay

AKLAN, Philippines – Now that elections are over, the mayor-elect of Malay, Aklan, called for unity and cooperation of stakeholders and constituents in world-class tourist spot Boracay.

Ceciron Cawaling said it is time to work together for the future of Boracay and the first-class municipality of Malay. 

“Kailangan pagtulungan natin na magkaroon ng tamang relasyon ang national at local governments. Kalimutan na natin ang nakalipas – ang eleksyon – moving forward tayo. Ayusin nating lahat lalo na sa ikakabuti at tamang implementasyon ng mga tourism at environmental laws,” he said. 

(Let us help each other build better relations between the national and local governments. Let us forget the past – the elections – and let us move forward. Let us fix all these especially for the good and for the proper implementation of tourism and environmental laws.)

Cawaling said he wanted to discuss with national agencies and the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in the island.

The incoming mayor stressed they have to find a common ground to get things done to sustain tourism growth and protect the environment of Boracay, especially improving the town’s solid waste management. 

“Kailangan din ang pagkakaisa lalong lalo na ang mga barangay. Mag-oopisina tayong muli sa ating material recovery facility dahil doon ang pinakamalaking problema sa isla,” he added.  

(We need unity especially among barangays. We will hold office again in our material recovery facility because that’s the biggest problem on the island.)

In Boracay Island, Cawaling garnered 10,586 votes against his closest opponent former mayor John Yap, who got 7,148 votes, and independent candidate Rodgiet Ranara with 1,010 votes in 3 barangays of Yapak, Manoc-Manoc, and Balabag.

Cawaling also got 5,691 votes in 14 barangays in mainland Malay – Caticlan, Poblacion, Cogon, Cubay Norte, Balusbus, Cabulihan, Argao, Cubay Sur, Dumlog, Motag, Naasog, Nabaoy, Napaan, and Sambiray, compared to the 5,472 votes of Yap. 

The island has 27,043 registered voters and 29 cluster precincts with a 71.6% turnout of voters or 19,398 voters actually voted in May 13 midterm polls.  

Boracay Island also accounted for 66% of 40,913 votes in Malay, Aklan.

Boracay, which President Rodrigo Duterte ordered closed for 6 months in 2018, is undergoing continued rehabilitation.

Natividad Bernandino, general manager of Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group (BIARMG), said the remaining projects involve the Phase II road improvement by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and drainage works of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

Bernandino said the rehabilitation work of the Boracay task force and the construction of the new infrastructure projects are now 60 to 70% complete. – Rappler.com