Monitoring Page

Boracay Island was recently named the “World’s Best Island” for 2012 by Travel + Leisure magazine, beating hall-0f-famers such as Bali (Indonesia), Galapagos, the Great Barrier Reef Islands (Australia), Santorini (Italy), and the Hawaiian Islands of Maui, Kuai and the Big Island. Readers were asked to rate the following characteristics for the Islands category: Natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people, value, and romance (optional).  Tourism figures have been similarly impressive: for the first half of 2012, foreign tourists to the island have reached 700,000, representing a 41% surge over previous year statistics.

One of the key factors for the international acclaim that Boracay is now reaping is the two-year old Boracay Beach Management Program (BBMP), a multi-sectoral initiative for the protection, sustainability and enhancement of the island’s coastal and marine resources. Malay Mayor John P. Yap, who recognized the importance of pursuing a comprehensive strategy among various stakeholders, launched the BBMP in September 2010. This is embodied in the rallying cry: “Para Sa Boracay Ako! For Boracay I Will…”

Now set to celebrate its 2nd year anniversary on Saturday, 29 September 2012, the BBMP is also celebrating major milestones in its seven priority areas:

Local Governance.  With strong leadership and political will, Malay Mayor John P. Yap has pushed for legislation to ensure beach cleanliness. Visitors and residents are reminded to observe municipal ordinances against littering, smoking, extracting sand and pebbles, etc. At the start of 2012, Mayor Yap led various LGU officers in a planning alignment workshop to formulate a program that will further enhance the “Boracay Experience” for tourists and locals alike.

Coastal Resources. Volunteer groups continue to perform regular beach and underwater cleanup drives. Artificial reef domes are being deployed and monitored in strategic areas to revitalize marine and aquatic life along Boracay’s waters. New coral growth from the coastal 

nurseries are being transplanted to degraded reef areas, while mangrove swamps continue to be protected.

Watershed. Under the National Greening Program, Boracay’s CENRO (Community Environment & Natural Resources Office) is committed to planting an additional 120-hectares in the watershed areas to prevent soil erosion and improve water yield for safe and potable water on the island. This is in addition to the 428-hectares of forest plantations that have been established since 2008.

Water and Waste Water.  Boracay’s water is certified to be safe for drinking straight from the tap, with meticulous testing to ensure that it is 100% compliant with the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW). It has also recently upgraded its sewage treatment facilities, where wastewater is treated to be safe for marine life and suitable for recreation activities upon discharge, complying with the Class SB Standard of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Solid Waste. Boracay now has three new dump trucks for more effective garbage collection, while the materials recovery facility continues to improve the processing of residual waste. A sanitary landfill is being built as a more long-term solution to solid waste management. 

Hazard Protection.  Young and dynamic volunteers man the Boracay chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross. Trained personnel, new sea patrol craft, and upgraded communications equipment all ensure that the island has sufficient capabilities to respond to emergencies and assist in disaster relief.

Information, Education & Communication.  Workshops, seminars and training programs have been designed for the local government units to improve quality services among all tourism frontliners and ensure that tourists have a memorable “Boracay Experience.”  Social media is also being used to reach out to a wider audience through the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ForBoracay. Recently the BBMP Communications Group was also formed to publish a regular newsletter that will provide regular updates about BBMP activities.

With its previous experience in the United Nations Development Programme's Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) framework, Petron played a key role in facilitating the formation of the BBMP.  Starting out with a handful of members from the local government units, national government agencies, community organizations, youth groups and the private sector, the Boracay Beach Management Council (BBMC) now counts about 30 proponents.

The BBMP, in a span of only two years, has become a transformative force on the island of Boracay. It is a perfect example of how a dynamic public-private partnership has worked together to create the “World’s Best Island” through environmental excellence and sustainable development.

The BBMP proponents include:  The Municipality of Malay, Aklan; San Miguel Corporation; Petron Corporation; Petron Foundation Inc.; Provincial Government of Aklan; Department of Environment & Natural Resources; Boracay Foundation Inc.; Akelco Boracay; Aklan Provincial Tourism Council; Barangays Balabag, Caticlan, Kabulihan, Manoc-Manoc & Yapak; Boracay Association of Sucba Diving Schools; Boracay Island Hopping Association; Boracay Island Water Company; Boracay Island Special Fire Protection Unit; Boracay Land Transportation Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Boracay Solid Waste Management Team; Boracay Special Tourist Police Office; Boracay Yuppies; Coast Guard Detachment-Boracay; Department of Tourism-Boracay; Islander Boracay; Kiwanis Club of Boracay; Lifeguard Boracay; Malay Auxiliary Police; Malay Farm-C; Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI)-Boracay; Rotary Club of Boracay; YES FM 91.1; 605th MARPSTA (Maritime Police); and 61st 1B 31D PA Task Force Boracay.

Pinoy Blogfest 3.0 is themed Caught in the Web: Both Sides of the Digital Movement, and promises a whole afternoon of exciting activities. Whether you’re a tech geek, a music buff, a gamer, afashionista, or just someone who wants to learn and discover new things, we’ve cooked up something special just for you.

The afternoon program is free and open to the public. It begins with a digital photography session courtesy of Canon Crusader of Light, Sara Black. Next on the program is a talk about Intellectual Property law by Atty. Ann Edillon of Bengzon Negre Untalan (BNU) Intellectual Property Attorneys. Diego Mapa of OPM bands Pedicab and Tarsius, and Mark Laccay from local creative funding platform Artiste Connect will also share how crowd funding can bridge the gap between consumers and content-makers.

Color It Red, Downdraft, Taken By Cars, and Ciudad will be there for special guest performances. You can win gifts and prizes from our sponsors when you participate in various activities, including a fun segment by Edifier. You can also pick out awesome finds in our fashion aisle courtesy of Supersale Bazaar, while gaming rigs from Sony will be set up for those who want free gaming action.

In the evening program, there will be a panel discussion on Internet piracy and digital rights. To give this interactive dialog are Filipino Freethinker Leloy Claudio, former IPOPHL consultant Atty. Mark Dy, and Engr. Jason Conanan from local band Hidden Nikki. Legal luminary Adel Tamano, Director for Public Affairs and Communication of Coca-Cola will be the evening’s Keynote Speaker. Concluding the program will be the announcement of the winners of the GoodBlog Awards, music from local bands Runmanila and Black Summer, and the raffle draws.

The evening program, which starts at 6:30 pm, is a BIO (By Invitation Only) event. If you wish to attend, please visit www.facebook.com/GadgetsMagazine and send a private message with your name and contact details so the organizers can put you on the guest list.

Pinoy Blogfest 3.0 is brought you by Gadgets Magazine and Coca-Cola, in cooperation with Edifier,NEO Laptops and AOC Monitors, and support from Canon Philippines, HP, Sony, Mili andDivoom, Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, Reebok, Supersale Bazaar, Artiste Connect, The Ateneo Musicians’ Pool, and official media partner Manila Bulletin. For more information, please visit www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph/pinoy_blogfest3.

Five lucky Generika Drugstore customers will soon be proud owners of brand-new Suzuki Mola 125 motorcycles, after having been picked as winners of the “Win A Ride” promo during the grand raffle draw held last 13 August 2012.

The winners, drawn from different clusters nationwide, are as follows: Cherryl Buenavista (North Luzon), Diomedesia Sancha (South Luzon), Nicetas Gega (NCR), Gene De Silva (Visayas), and Virgencita Amesola (Mindanao).

The “Win A Ride” raffle promo ran from May 25 to July 31, 2012, and applied exclusively to purchases of generic medicines at all Generika Drugstore branches nationwide. A customer is entitled to one raffle coupon for every purchase worth P150 of generic medicines on a single receipt; additional coupons are earned for increments of P150. Generikard Loyalty Card holders are entitled to an additional entry coupon.

Exclusive to entries using the Generikard Loyalty Card, 1,000 winners were also awarded Generikard Loyalty points worth P200 each. These were drawn via electronic raffle draws held every Friday starting June 8 to July 27, 2012. 

Generika Drugstore was founded in September 2003 to educate Filipinos about generic brand drugs and to provide them with quality affordable generic medicines as an alternative to higher cost branded drugs. In 2009, Generika was awarded with the Quality Seal Award by the Bureau of Food & Drugs (BFAD); and in 2008, Generika Drugstore was proclaimed the national winner in the drugstore chain category by the Drugstore Association of the Philippines (DSAP). There are 300 Generika Drugstore locations nationwide.

The excitement is heating up for the Petron "Blaze Your Way to the Grand Prix" promo, with the winners announced for the first grand draw held on August 24, namely: Albert Lim of Pasig and Raymundo De Leon of Marikina.  These lucky Petron customers won a free trip for two to the Singapore Grand Prix, inclusive of round-trip air fare, 4D/3N hotel accommodations, 3-days Marina Bay Grandstand race tickets, a Universal Studios day pass, travel insurance, and an F1 survival kit.

The "Blaze Your Way to the Grand Prix" promo is an e-raffle running from July 15 to September 15, 2012, where gassing up with Petron and paying with your MasterCard gives you the chance to win a free trip to the Formula One Grand Prix.

For the minor draws held last August 15 and 24, the prizes at stake were Petron Value Cards each loaded with P10,000 worth of fuel, and passes for the Singapore race Manila viewing party scheduled for September 23. Each party pass winner may bring along 3 guests who will also enjoy the free food and drinks.

 The August 15 and August 24 winners of Petron Value Cards each loaded with P10,000 worth of fuel are: Irwin Orca, Anna Liza Alvarez, Grace Marie Oen, Jojo Esguerra, Isidro Albano, Nimrod Aubrey Norio, Christine Llenado, Romulo Miral Jr., Manuela Sy, Jennifer Tan, Agustin Castro, Claudine Gail Sy, Jonathan Emmanuel Ison, Paolo Doplon;  Chung Yung Lee, Michael Ben Mamaed, David Gaylan, Joel Lacson, Inigo Rafael Reyes, and Donnie Constantino.

The August 15 and August 24 winners of the Singapore race Manila viewing party are: Rodolfo Cacho, Mark Danielle Cuenca, Dendo Villaflor, Mark Joseph Lao, Agnes Adizas, Gilbert Ydio, Mark Philip Tang, Necisto Sytengco, Caroline Yu, Philip So, Perry Yao, Silvino Emmanuel Panganiban, Rosalinda Enrique, Pierette Kaw, Wesley Ngo, Michael Angelo Ang, Armando Aquino, Ana Lyn Manio, Edwin Lim, and Wilson King.

Hurry and gas up at participating Petron stations. The "Blaze Your Way to the Grand Prix" promo will run until September 15, with another set of minor draw and grand draw winners of a trip for 2 to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. To be eligible for the promo, the MasterCard cardholder must register on the Petron Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PetronCorporation), and click on the "Grand Prix" application tab to fill in the required information. Upon registration, the cardholder will receive an automatic email reply with a randomly assigned electronic raffle number.

Every P2,000 single receipt purchase of Petron fuels, Petron lubricants, or Petron Gasul using your MasterCard at a participating Petron station entitles the cardholder to one electronic raffle entry. If the single receipt is worth P4,000, then the customer is entitled to two electronic raffle entries. The promo is open to individuals at least 18 years old and holders of a valid Philippine passport. A participant may win only once in the promotion; non-winning entries will be included in the succeeding minor and grand draws, to be held in September.

Winners will be notified via registered mail, phone, and general circulation media (newspaper and website), and contacted for confirmation with instructions on how to claim their prizes. Winners must present two valid IDs along with the winning credit card as well as the statement of account and registered notice from Petron.

Winners will be responsible for their travel documents and other travel-related expenses such as changes in confirmed bookings, out-of-pocket expenses, spending money, meals, visas and travel insurance.

Petron is the largest oil refining and marketing company in the Philippines. Its oil refinery produces a full-range of petroleum products to supply nearly 40% of the country's total fuel requirements. With the largest service station network in the country, Petron retails gasoline, diesel and kerosene to motorists. Petron is dedicated and passionate about its vision to be the leading provider of total customer satisfaction solutions in the energy sector 

Generika Drugstore is launching a major nationwide promo exclusively for its Generikard Loyalty Card holders, through the “Generikard Mo, MyPhone Panalo!” promo, which will run from September 1 to November 15, 2012.

For every minimum single purchase of generic medicines worth P100 net of discount using your Generika Loyalty Card, you earn one electronic raffle entry. This will be indicated on your official receipt, with the following message: “Congratulations, you are now enrolled for the electronic raffle promo of Generikard Mo, MyPhone Panalo.” Since the raffle entry will be linked to your Generikard record, you do not need to fill up a raffle coupon.

There will be 5 raffle draws to pick out the winners of the following prizes: MyPhone TV phone – 100 winners per draw; Generikard Loyalty points worth P100 – 200 winners per draw; and Generika umbrella – 200 winners per draw. The draw dates are September 14 & 28, October 12 & 26, and November 15, 2012. 

A customer may win a MyPhone TV phone only once for the entire duration of the promo. Winners will be published on the Generika website and Facebook page, and will be officially notified via registered mail and/or contact numbers.

Getting a Generikard is easy: simply purchase P300 worth of generic medicines and get the card for free, or buy the Generikard for P50. You an apply for a Generikard at any Generika Drugstore nationwide. With your Generikard, you can earn points for all your purchases at Generika Drugstore outlets. Each point earned is equivalent to P1, and can be redeemed at all Generika branches. The Generikard also gives you access to special offers such as discounts on monthly featured products. It also provides exclusive privileges, like the Generikard MyPhone raffle promo.

Generika Drugstore was founded in September 2003 to educate Filipinos about generic brand drugs and to provide them with quality affordable generic medicines as an alternative to higher cost branded drugs. In 2009, Generika was awarded with the Quality Seal Award by the Bureau of Food & Drugs (BFAD); and in 2008, Generika Drugstore was proclaimed the national winner in the drugstore chain category by the Drugstore Association of the Philippines (DSAP). There are 300 Generika Drugstore locations nationwide.