This Week in Iloilo (April 15 to 21, 2018)

For this week, Iloilo will experience rain and thunderstorms. Even with an average temperature of 32 C, there is still a high possibility that tourists and locals will be challenged by rain and thunderstorms when outdoors. If you still wish to go on a summer adventure, do it during afternoons since weather problems are predicted to occur during mornings.

The city government looks forward to the use of electric tricycles in Iloilo; in fact, it will be testing the waters after being convinced by the presentation of BEMAC Electric Transportation Philippines, Inc. The company will provide one unit of their 68VM e-trike for a month for the city to measure its feasibility and viability as an alternative transportation service in the city.

Unlike jeepneys, the e-trike can accommodate only 6 persons and it has a maximum speed of 50 km per hour. Should this be implemented, e-trikes will be classified as motorcycle-tricycle.

Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order of temporary six-month closure of Boracay Island, major local airlines announced cancellations of flights to and from Caticlan and Kalibo in Aklan.

Flights from April 20 to October 27 from Manila operated by Philippine Airlines are cancelled. Moreover, flights from Cebu and Clark going to Caticlan are suspended from April 26 to October 27. Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific will still have daily flights going to Kalibo and Caticlan even if they have cancelled several flights from the period of April 26 to October 25.

Triggered by the Boracay closure, the provincial government of Iloilo is preparing its tourist destinations in northern Iloilo, particularly in Carles where the famous Isla de Gigantes and Sicogon Island can be found. The Iloilo Provincial Government entertains the possibility of establishing a Northern Iloilo Tourism Authority [1] to equip the island should there be a massive influx of tourists. There is also a plan to establish hotels in the mainland to cater to the tourists since the islands still lack the capacity to accommodate a good number of tourists.

The Department of Public Works and Highways-6 will be applying for a reclamation permit for the entire Iloilo Esplanade project along the Iloilo River. This move is motivated by the need to ensure that the nine sections of Iloilo Esplanade are well-maintained and used for their purpose. The permit will also include the flood control project of Iloilo City. The legitimizing of the project has an end goal of determining who will be administering the completed properties, so that generations of locals and tourists can enjoy Iloilo Esplanade.

The Iloilo City Government has passed an ordinance which requires all food establishments in Iloilo City to provide their customers with free potable water. The proponent, Councilor Ely Estante, observed that most eateries in the city don’t serve free potable water to their customers. He added that restaurants only sell bottled waters, carbonated drinks, and sweetened beverages. The City Health Office is instructed to implement the new ordinance.