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89-405: Aklan is most well-known for Boracay , a resort island 0.8 kilometer north of the tip of Panay. It is known for its white sand beaches and is considered one of the more prominent destinations in the country. The Ati-Atihan Festival of Kalibo has also been known worldwide, hence declared "The Mother of all Philippine Festivals." It is an annual celebration held on the third Sunday of January to honor

178-827: A Special Tourism Zone in 2005, and in April 2006 she gave the PTA administrative control over the island while mandating the agency to coordinate with the provincial government of Aklan . In 2012, the Philippine Department of Tourism reported that Boracay had been named the world's second best beach after Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands . Due to worsening environmental conditions in Boracay, President Rodrigo Duterte in February 2018 said he planned to close

267-541: A city. First, a bill must be passed in Congress , then signed into law by the President and then the residents would vote in the resulting plebiscite to accept or reject cityhood. One benefit in being a city is that the city government gets more budget, but taxes are much higher than in municipalities. Republic Act (RA) No. 11964, otherwise known as the “Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act”,

356-437: A decline. By the 1980s, the price of copra had declined, encouraging tourism as an alternative source of income for the island. In 1978, President Ferdinand Marcos issued a proclamation naming Boracay among a number of islands, coves and peninsulas declared as tourist zones. Tourism came to the island beginning sometime in the 1970s. In 1970, the movies Nam's Angels (released in the U.S. as The Losers ) and Too Late

445-777: A low of 23 °C (73 °F) in March and a high of 33 °C (91 °F) in May. During Tropical storm periods, temperatures can fall below 30 °C (86 °F). Tropical storms can impact Boracay at any time of year, but are most likely to be seen during the Habagat season. The rapid growth of tourism has caused environmental damage on the island. Condé Nast Traveler magazine called Boracay "the poster child for overtourism". The Daily Telegraph called Boracay an "island paradise ruined by tourism". At least three species of flying foxes have been recorded to inhabit Boracay namely

534-494: A major draw for tourists and is set to be elevated as a major tourism attraction for the island starting next year. The name Boracay is attributed to different origins. The island's indigenous Ati people say that the name of the island came from the Inati words "bora", meaning bubbles, and "bocay", meaning white. Another theory suggests that the name is derived from the local word 'borac,' which means 'white cotton,' referencing

623-508: A municipalities, do not have their own judicial branch: their judiciary is the same as that of the national government. According to Chapter II, Title II, Book III of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 , a municipality shall mainly have a mayor ( alkalde ), a vice mayor ( ikalawang alkalde   /   bise alkalde ) and members ( kagawad ) of the legislative branch Sangguniang Bayan alongside

712-498: A plaza and an entertainment center. Other resorts in Boracay include Discovery Shores, a luxury five-star resort managed by a Filipino hospitality group called The Discovery Leisure Company Inc. and owned by Discovery World Corp. The building, with 88 suites , a spa , and four restaurants and bars, stands at Station One on the White Beach, and has been described as "more Miami chic than hidden oasis." The island has

801-648: A secretary to the said legislature. The following positions are also required for all municipalities across the Philippines: Depending on the need to do so, the municipal mayor may also appoint the following municipal positions: As mentioned in Title II, Book III of Republic Act 7160, the municipal mayor is the chief executive officer of the municipal government and shall determine guidelines on local policies and direct formulation of development plans. These responsibilities shall be under approval of

890-438: A sewage treatment plant which began operation in 2003 were installed to remedy the insufficient sewage and septic conditions in the island, environmental concerns regarding coliform bacteria persisted due to noncompliance of some business establishments in the island. In 2004, only 51 percent of hotels and restaurants in Boracay and 25 percent of all households were connected to the island's central sewage system. In 2005, Boracay

979-405: A souring agent, lemongrass , and various spices. The souring agent (called aeabihig ) is traditionally either batuan fruits ( Garcinia morella ) or libas leaves ( Spondias pinnata ). The name means "[cooked] with ubad (banana pith)", not to be confused with ubod ( palm heart ); although ubod can sometimes be used as a substitute for ubad which can be difficult to acquire. Variants of

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1068-511: A study led by the Japan International Cooperation Agency conducted from 2010 to 2015 noted a 70.5 percent decrease of Boracay's coral cover from 1988 to 2011. The study attributed the increased drop in coral cover from 2008 to 2011 to the 38.4 percent increase of tourist arrivals combined with poorly monitored snorkeling activity in coral-rich areas. The Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) made efforts to remedy

1157-478: A total area of 7,807.14 hectares (19,291.9 acres). Of the total fishpond areas, 4,512.04162 hectares (11,149.4977 acres) are with Fishpond Lease Agreement (FLA); 138.85672 hectares (343.1224 acres) are with permits; 2,729.02636 hectares (6,743.5710 acres) are on process/application; and, 370.0 hectares (914 acres) are titled. Aklan is a top producer of abaca , which are dyed and made into cloths or place mats, bags, wall decors and fans. The piña cloth, considered

1246-536: Is a local government unit (LGU) in the Philippines . It is distinct from city , which is a different category of local government unit. Provinces of the Philippines are divided into cities and municipalities, which in turn, are divided into barangays (formerly barrios ) – villages . As of June 30, 2024 , there are 1,493 municipalities across the country. A municipality is the official term for, and

1335-485: Is a proposed expressway on the island of Panay that will run from Iloilo City to Caticlan, Malay . A 1.2-kilometre (0.75 mi) limited-access bridge connecting Caticlan to Boracay is also being proposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as part of its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects. Aklan is famous for Boracay, a resort island 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) north from

1424-750: Is aiming for 2.3 million tourist arrivals in 2024, a slight increase from 2023's target, indicating a robust interest in Boracay as a prime tourist destination. In September 2024, Secretary Christina Frasco launched Megaworld 's 850 m (9,100 sq ft) Marhaba, a halal tourism cove in the Boracay Newcoast private beach in front of “Lapus-Lapus” rock formation. Philippine municipality A municipality ( Tagalog : bayan / munisipalidad / munisipyo / puweblo ; Hiligaynon : banwa ; Cebuano : lungsod ; Pangasinan : baley ; Kapampangan : balen / balayan ; Central Bikol : banwaan ; Waray : bungto ; Ilocano : ili )

1513-594: Is designated as a first class province . Aklan depends on agriculture, with palay being the top produce in the province. Rice plantations had an area of 42,218 hectares (104,320 acres) (0.39 percent of the total provincial agricultural area). With the implementation of the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) umaru rice production program using the Hybrid rice, production is expected to increase by 15 percent or an average of 10 metric tons per hectare in

1602-414: Is divided for land use and conservation purposes into 400 hectares (990 acres) of preserved forestland and 628.96 hectares (1,554.2 acres) of agricultural land. The three barangays comprising Boracay island , Balabag, Manoc-Manoc, and Yapak, are part of the municipality of Malay in the province of Aklan . Weather in Boracay is generally divided into two seasonal weather patterns known locally as

1691-417: Is highlighted by the dance performance of local talent and ingenuity to the beat of the drums and indigenous rhythm celebrated every May 14 of the year. Bugna Festival is a festival showcasing the different locally produced products and eco-tourism destinations of Tangalan like the marine sanctuary and coral garden, Afga Point, Campo Verde, Jawili Falls, Bughawi beach and reforestation project every May 16 of

1780-512: Is spoken by a majority of the people, while Malaynon is spoken in Malay and Buruanganon is spoken in Buruanga . Hiligaynon is also widely spoken and understood in the province. Other regional languages used include Ati , Kinaray-a , and Capiznon . Tagalog and English are used in administration and business as the national official languages. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion of

1869-491: Is the longest river in the province with a total length of 91 km (57 mi) long. The province features high geographic diversity, ranging from white sandy beaches, mangroves and mountainous landscapes. Situated within the province is the river Akean , which appears unique due to its "boiling or frothing" appearance. Aklan comprises 17 municipalities . The province is divided into two legislative districts for congressional representation. The population of Aklan in

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1958-450: Is the site of an 18-hole par 72 golf course designed by Graham Marsh . In addition, as of 2010 , Boracay has in excess of 350 beach resorts offering more than 2,000 rooms ranging in quality from five-star to budget accommodation. In addition, Boracay offers a wide range of restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs. A landmark natural rock formation, Boracay's Rock, juts prominently directly in front of Willy's Beach Resort. According to

2047-512: The Amihan and Habagat seasons. In the Visayan language , Amihan means a cool northeast wind , and Habagat means west or southwest wind; southwest monsoon . The Amihan season is characterized by moderate temperatures, little or no rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the northeast. The Habagat season is characterized by hot and humid weather, frequent heavy rainfall, and a prevailing wind from

2136-799: The Ati-Atihan festival in Kalibo. Originally, the festival was to celebrate the treaty between the Ati and the Malayan tribes who settled in the Island. The Ati live in the mountain regions and the Malay people in the flatlands or close to the water. The festivity begins on the dry season, at which time the Ati come down from the mountains to trade and celebrate with the Malayan tribes. When the Spaniards settled in

2225-620: The COVID-19 pandemic . The island would eventually be re-opened to tourists with COVID-19 protocols implemented as cautionary measure. Under the Bongbong Marcos administration in late March 2024, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), upon the request of private land developers, cancelled the Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) of five lots in Boracay owned by Ati indigenous peoples. The lots, which were awarded by

2314-417: The Department of Tourism of the Philippines, there was a recorded 1,725,483 visitors to Boracay in 2016. This was an increase of 250,000 from the previous year. Assuming the average length of stay of tourists to Boracay is three days, the number of tourists on the island each day was calculated at 14,182. According to Malay municipal records more than two million tourists visited the island in 2017. Boracay

2403-532: The Hiligaynon , Karay-a , and Capiznon . Based on the 2000 census survey, Aklanon accounted for 96.56% (434,869) of the provincial population of 450,353. Other ethnic groups in the province were the Hiligaynon at 0.75% (3,375), Tagalog at 0.5% (2,271), Kankanaey at 0.28% (1,281), and Cebuano at 0.21% (939). The most prominent languages in the province are Akeanon ( Aklanon Proper ) , Malaynon , and Buruanganon . Akeanon

2492-643: The Santo Niño (Infant Jesus). The festival showcases tribal dancing through the town's main streets to the tune of ethnic music, with participants in indigenous costumes and gear. Aklan is believed to have been settled in the 13th century by settlers from Borneo, ruled by Datu Bangkaya, with his seat at Madyanos, near present-day Numancia. Several datus succeeded Datu Manduyog until the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi landed in Batan in 1565 and claimed

2581-576: The Western Visayas region of the Philippines , located 0.8 kilometers (0.50 mi) off the northwest coast of Panay Island . It has a total land area of 10.32 square kilometers (3.98 sq mi), under the jurisdiction of three barangays in Malay , Aklan , and had a population of 37,802 in 2020. Boracay was originally inhabited by the Tumandok and Ati people, but commercial development has led to their severe marginalization since

2670-548: The giant golden-crowned flying fox ( Aceradon jubatus ), the giant fruit bat ( Pteropus vampyrus ), and the small flying fox ( Pteropus hypomelanus ). Their population is concentrated on the northern side of the island in Barangay Yapak, where the hunting of bats was made illegal through a local ordinance. According to the Coastal Ecosystem Conservation and Adaptive Management (CECAM),

2759-511: The "Queen of the Philippine Fabrics", is a prime produce of Kalibo, weaved from its unique crude wooden or bamboo handloom. Lezo is known for its red clay, used by the natives to make pots, vases and various novelty items. Elected Officials: Aklan is accessible via highways and buses. Buses with routes from Iloilo , Capiz , and Antique connect Aklan with neighboring provinces. The Iloilo–Capiz–Aklan Expressway (ICAEx)

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2848-513: The 1970s. Apart from its white sand beaches, Boracay is also famous for being one of the world's top destinations for relaxation. As of 2013 , it was emerging among the top destinations for tranquility and nightlife. International travel magazine Travel + Leisure ranked Boracay as the Best Island in the World in 2012. In 2014, the resort island was at the top of the "Best Islands in

2937-634: The 2000. The decrease in production was attributed to the following factors: high cost of feeds, feed supplements and biologics, livestock and poultry diseases, increasing price of chicks, and high cost of labor. Coconuts still occupies the largest area planted among major permanent agriculture crops. The total area planted with coconut is 32,276 hectares (79,760 acres). Ibajay ranks the largest with 4,317 hectares (10,670 acres); followed by Balete with 2,611 hectares (6,450 acres); Banga with umaru 2,314 hectares (5,720 acres); Makato with 2,089 hectares (5,160 acres); and, Altavas with 2,054 hectares (5,080 acres). All

3026-617: The 2020 census was 615,475 people, with a density of 340 inhabitants per square kilometre or 880 inhabitants per square mile. The main inhabitants of the province are the Aklanon , who are part of the Visayan ethnic group. Other inhabitants include the Negrito , locally known as the Ati and the Sulod, a lesser known tribal group living in the hinterlands of Panay. Other Visayans also present are

3115-518: The Amihan weather pattern from sometime in October to sometime in March and in the Habagat weather pattern for the remainder of the year. Temperatures in Malay municipality province generally ranged between 25 and 30 °C (77 and 86 °F) in 2009–2019, with a low of 24 °C (75 °F) in February 2014 and high of 31 °C (88 °F) in October 2018, ranging more widely in 2019, with

3204-515: The Cagban jetty port serves as Boracay's main entry and exit point during most of the year. When wind and sea conditions dictate, east-facing Tambisaan Beach serves as an alternative entry and exit point. Boracay's two primary tourism beaches, White Beach and Bulabog Beach, are located on opposite sides of the island's narrow central area. White Beach faces westward and Bulabog Beach faces eastward. The island also has several other beaches. White Beach,

3293-474: The Department of Labor and Employment has no control over foreign businesses setting up shop on the island, but that it vows to ensure that no Chinese national could take jobs fit for Filipinos. Efforts to maintain the pristine condition of the beaches and the introduction of environmentally-friendly practices such as the use of biodegradable products and electric tricycles have significantly contributed to

3382-564: The Duterte administration to the Ati members in 2018, had been barricaded by armed men, who cited a March 5, 2024 decision by the DAR concluding that the land awarded was "not suitable for agriculture". The Boracay Ati Tribal Organization (BATO) later urged the Commission on Human Rights to intervene in the dispute, leading DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III to order the distribution of land to

3471-582: The Europeans, Buracay had a population of one hundred people, who cultivated rice on the island and augmented their income by raising goats. The Tumandok people also established an indigenous presence on the island, although the identities of the two indigenous peoples is often conflated. A 1905 report by the Philippine Commission documented the continuing presence of both groups on the island. referred to there as "Buracay". Boracay

3560-458: The Hero used filming locations on Boracay and Caticlan. There was an influx of Western tourists after German writer Jens Peter called it "paradise on Earth" in his book about the Philippines in 1978. In the 1980s, the island became popular as a budget destination for backpackers . By the 1990s, Boracay's beaches were being acclaimed as the best in the world. However, in 1997, tourist arrivals to

3649-526: The Panay mainland) took ownership of substantial properties on the island. They planted coconuts, fruit trees and greenery. Others followed the Tirols, and cultivation and development of the island gradually spread. The production of copra and fishing were major industries in the island. However, due to overharvesting by fishers and the destruction of coral reef due to cyanide fishing , the fishing industry saw

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3738-515: The Philippines started during the Spanish rule , in which the colonial government founded hundreds of towns and villages across the archipelago modeled after towns and villages in Spain . They were then grouped together along with a centralized town center called cabecera or poblacion where the ayuntamiento , or town hall, was located; the poblacion served as the nucleus of each municipality. Only

3827-558: The Sangguniang Bayan. The vice mayor ( bise-alkalde ) shall sign all warrants drawn on the municipal treasury. Being presiding officer of the Sangguniang Bayan ( English : Municipal Council), he can as well appoint members of the municipal legislature except its twelve (12) regular members or kagawad who are also elected every local election alongside the municipal mayor and vice mayor. In circumstances where

3916-483: The World" list published by the international magazine Condé Nast Traveler . In 2016, Boracay headed the magazine's list of "Top 10 destinations to watch". In April 2018, the Philippine government,under President Rodrigo Duterte , decreed a six-month closure of the island for tourists to undertake major renovation works, especially of the sewage system, which had become obsolete and insufficient. The island

4005-399: The affected Ati members, albeit to a yet undisclosed location. Boracay Island is located 0.8 kilometers (0.50 mi) off the northwest corner of the mainland Panay and belongs to the province of Aklan in the Western Visayas region, or Region VI, of the Philippines. It is 50 kilometers (31 mi) northwest of the provincial capital, Kalibo ; 150 kilometres (93 mi) northwest of

4094-603: The airports in Aklan: The following are the seaports in the province: Despite the prevalence of Christianity , native beliefs about the aswang and the babaylan are still prevalent among the people. Kulam or witchcraft , locally known as amulit is still feared by many residents. Two main dishes associated with Aklan and Aklanons are inubaran and binakol . Inubaran, is a Filipino chicken stew or soup made with chicken cooked with diced banana pith , coconut milk ( gata ) or coconut cream ( kakang gata ),

4183-479: The archipelago. The festival consists of tribal dance, music, accompanied by indigenous costumes and weapons, and parade along the street. Christians and non-Christians observe this day with religious processions. It has inspired many other Philippine Festivals including the Sinulog Festival of Cebu and Dinagyang of Iloilo City , both adaptations of the Kalibo's Ati-Atihan Festival, and legally holds

4272-573: The beach itself. Several roads and paths connect the Beachfront Path with Boracay's Main Road, a vehicular road which runs the length of the island. At the extreme northern end of White Beach, a footpath runs around the headland there and connects White Beach with Diniwid Beach. Bulabog Beach, across the island from White Beach, is the second most popular tourism beach on the island and Boracay's main windsurfing and kiteboarding area. Boracay

4361-462: The color and texture of Boracay's white, sugary, and powdery sand. Yet another version dating back to the Spanish era says the name is derived from "sagay", the word for a shell, and "boray", the word for seed. Before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines in the 16th century, Boracay was populated by Ati people. It was known to the Iberian conquerors as Buracay . At the time of contact with

4450-432: The communities that were permanently settled under the reduccion system, and have fully Christianized, are allowed to form municipalities, while others that have not yet been fully converted are to be subdued until conditions permitted for them to be incorporated as municipalities. As time passed, municipalities were created out of already existing ones, leading to them becoming smaller in area over time. Each municipality

4539-468: The current official term for such type of settlements . During the American administration , the municipal system put in place by the preceding Spanish authorities was preserved and at the same time reformed with greater inclusiveness among all Filipinos. Municipal districts, which were in essence unincorporated areas presided over by local tribal chiefs set up by American authorities, were created for

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4628-561: The discovery of Mount Timbaban is much higher, with an elevation of 5,830.1 ft (1,777.0 m) above sea level, Mount Timbaban is not considered as independent mountain, it is still part of Mount Madja-as sub-summit with only Topographic prominence peak of 30 m (98 ft) above the isolation from the Parent peak . Located 6 km northwest of Mount Nausang and 4.8 km northeast of Mount Madja-as in Antique. Aklan River ,

4717-439: The dish can also be made with other types of meat or seafood. It is a type of ginataan . Binakol, also spelled binakoe, is a Filipino chicken soup made from chicken cooked in coconut water with grated coconut, green papaya (or chayote ), leafy vegetables , garlic, onion, ginger, lemongrass, and patis (fish sauce). It can also be spiced with chilis. Binakol can also be cooked with other kinds of meat or seafood. It

4806-661: The entire Boracay a land reform area and wanted to first prioritize the island's residents. In April 2018, the Philippine Army 's 301st Infantry Brigade confirmed that 200 soldiers were deployed to Boracay to secure the island during its shutdown starting April 26. On October 26, 2018, Boracay was reopened to the public with work on the island's infrastructure still in progress. In April 2019, numerous Chinese-owned businesses were opened in Boracay, and additionally, there are about 300 mainland Chinese residents. In April 2019, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that

4895-602: The first time in 1914. More municipalities were created during this time, especially in Mindanao where there was a massive influx of settlers from the Luzon and the Visayas. After a while the independent Republic of the Philippines was declared in 1946, all municipal districts were dissolved and were absorbed into or broken into municipalities. The latest guidelines in the creation of new municipalities were introduced in 1991 with

4984-460: The highest density of merchants that accept bitcoin outside of El Salvador . There is a movement to dub the island "Bitcoin Island" and bootstrap a circular economy similar to Bitcoin Beach . Leisure activities available on or near Boracay include horseback riding, scuba diving , diving helmet , snorkeling , windsurfing , kiteboarding , cliff diving, parasailing and banana boat . Boracay

5073-792: The island for Spain , in early Spanish accounts it was called El Río de Aclán . In 1942, the Japanese invaded Aklan during World War II . In 1945, combined Filipino and American army along with Aklanon guerrillas liberated Aklan during the war in the Pacific . Aklan (Akean) became an independent province through Republic Act No. 1414 signed by Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay on April 25, 1956, separating Aklan from Capiz . The original towns were Altavas , Balete , Batan , Banga , Buruanga , Ibajay , Kalibo , Lezo , Libacao , Madalag , Malay , Makato , Malinao , Nabas , New Washington , Numancia , and Tangalan , then all part of

5162-422: The island of Borneo settled in the Philippines, and were granted settlement by the Ati people, the tribes of Panay Island . Datu Puti made a trade with the natives and bought the plains for a golden salakot, brass basins and bales of cloth. They gave a very long necklace to the wife of the Ati chieftain. Feasting and festivities followed soon after. Some time later, the Ati people were struggling with famine as

5251-458: The island's eastern side. This makes the reef -protected waters off that beach relatively safe and ideal for scuba diving , windsurfing , and kiteboarding / kitesurfing . In June 2011, it was reported that Megaworld Corporation , a real estate development group led by Andrew Tan had earmarked ₱ 20 billion to develop tourism estates in Boracay and Cavite . The planned Boracay project, Boracay Newcoast, involves four hotels with 1,500 rooms,

5340-460: The island's recovery. The absence of plastic and a renewed focus on sustainability were key highlights of introduced in 2023. Following the Boracay cleanup, Duterte distributed 623 certificates of land-ownership award covering 274 hectares (680 acres) of land in Boracay and Aklan to the area's Ati inhabitants and other beneficiaries. The municipality of Malay, including Boracay island, was closed to tourism effective March 19, 2020, in response to

5429-825: The issuance of the Local Government Code. Municipalities have some autonomy from the National Government of the Republic of the Philippines under the Local Government Code of 1991 . They have been granted corporate personality enabling them to enact local policies and laws, enforce them, and govern their jurisdictions. They can enter into contracts and other transactions through their elected and appointed officials and can tax. They are tasked with enforcing all laws, whether local or national. The National Government assists and supervises

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5518-425: The local government to make sure that they do not violate national law. Local Governments have their own executive and legislative branches and the checks and balances between these two major branches, along with their separation, are more pronounced than that of the national government. The Judicial Branch of the Republic of the Philippines also caters to the needs of local government units. Local governments, such as

5607-426: The main tourism beach, is about 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) long and is lined with resorts, hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses. In the central portion, for about two kilometers, there is a footpath known as the Beachfront Path separating the beach itself from the establishments located along it. North and south of the Beachfront Path, beachfront establishments do literally front along

5696-414: The mayor permanently or temporarily vacates the position, he shall assume executive duties and functions. While the vice mayor presides over the legislature, she or he cannot vote unless the necessity of tie-breaking arises. Laws or ordinances proposed by the Sangguniang Bayan, however, may be approved or vetoed by the mayor. If approved, they become local ordinances. If the mayor neither vetoes nor approves

5785-567: The northern third of the island of Panay and is bordered by the provinces of Capiz from the southeast and Antique from the southwest. It also faces the Sibuyan Sea from the north. The province covers a total area of 1,821.42 square kilometres (703.25 sq mi), and includes the island of Boracay which is located at its northwestern tip. Mount Nausang , is formerly the highest peak in Aklan, standing at 5,190 ft (1,580 m),

5874-415: The official local equivalent of, a town , the latter being its archaic term and in all of its literal local translations including Filipino . Both terms are interchangeable. A municipal district is a now-defunct local government unit; previously certain areas were created first as municipal districts before they were converted into municipalities. The era of the formation of municipalities in

5963-741: The people and Christian festivals such as Christmas and Lent are regarded with high importance. Meanwhile, Christian icons such as the Santo Niño are regarded as cultural symbols of the people. Animism , however, is still practised by the Ati . The Aglipayan Church or the Iglesia Filipina Independiente is the second most predominant religion in the province. Other religions in the province include Members Church of God International (MCGI) , Iglesia ni Cristo , and Islam . Poverty incidence of Aklan Source: Philippine Statistics Authority The province of Aklan

6052-412: The prevailing wind blows from the east. Boracay's main tourism area, White Beach, is on the western side of the island and is sheltered from the wind. During the Amihan season, the water off White Beach is often glassy-smooth. On the eastern side of the island, hills on the northern and southern ends of the island channel the Amihan season wind from the east onshore, onto Bulabog Beach in the central part of

6141-477: The proposal of the Sangguniang Bayan for ten (10) days from the time of receipt, the proposal becomes law as if it had been signed. If vetoed, the draft is sent back to the Sangguniang Bayan. The latter may override the mayor by a vote of at least two-thirds (2   /   3) of all its members, in which case, the proposal becomes law. A municipality, upon reaching certain requirements (such as minimum population size, and minimum annual revenue) may opt to become

6230-482: The province of Capiz . The province was inaugurated on November 8, 1956. Jose Raz Menez was appointed the first governor of Aklan by President Magsaysay and he served until December 30, 1959. In 1960, Godofredo P. Ramos became the first elected governor but upon resigning to run for Congress he was succeeded by the vice governor, Virgilio S. Patricio. In 1964, José B. Legaspi succeeded Patricio and he held office for two consecutive terms from 1964 to 1971. Aklan occupies

6319-582: The province. The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held annually in honor of the Santo Niño (Infant Jesus), held on the third Sunday of January in the town of Kalibo , Aklan, Philippines, on the island of Panay . It originally came from Batan, Aklan , then adopted later by some neighboring towns. The name Ati-Atihan means "to be like Atis" or "to make believe Atis", the local name for the Aeta aborigines who first settled in Panay Island and other parts of

6408-579: The region and converted the Malays to their Christian religion, they asked the Malays to celebrate this festivity to coincide with the Feast of the Santo Niño (Holy Child) which is usually held during the third week of January. Bariw Festival is a unique festival showcasing the skills of every Nabasnon in weaving bags, mats and hats made of bariw leaves – the prospering livelihood in the municipality. It

6497-439: The regional capital, Iloilo City ; and 200 nautical miles (370 km) southeast of the national capital, Manila . The island is approximately seven kilometers long, dog-bone shaped, with the narrowest spot being less than one kilometer wide, and has a total land area of 10.32 square kilometers (3.98 sq mi). South-facing Cagban Beach is located across a small strait from the jetty port at Caticlan on Panay Island, and

6586-593: The resort island dropped 60 percent due to the increase of coliform bacteria from poor sewage and septic systems on the island. The condition of Boracay in 1997 led to the installment of a potable water supply system and a sewage treatment plant and a solid waste disposal system, operated by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA). Connection of businesses and households to the system was not universal, and environmental problems persisted. Then-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared Boracay

6675-432: The resort island, which he described as a "cesspool", on April 26, 2018, instructing Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu to resolve the issue. In a cabinet meeting, President Duterte approved the full closure of the island for six months, effective April 26, 2018, to rehabilitate and resolve the environmental issues surrounding Boracay. On May 30, 2018, President Duterte declared that he planned to make

6764-489: The rest of the municipalities have areas below 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres). However, in terms of copra production, Makato ranks number one with 2,770 metric tons per year; next is Balete with 2,669; and Libacao with 2,399. The rest produce less than 2000 metric tons. Total production is 25,375 metric tons annually. Other crops produced include bananas ( Lakatan ), mangoes , rambutan , and lanzones , as well as fiber crops such as piña fiber and abaca . Fishpond areas had

6853-418: The result of a bad harvest. They were forced to descend from their mountain village into the settlement below, to seek the generosity of the people who now lived there. The Datus obliged and gave them food. In return, the Ati danced and sang for them, grateful for the gifts they had been given. Boracay Boracay ( [bɔˈrakaɪ] ; often locally shortened to Bora ) is a resort island in

6942-484: The situation by launching a "refurbishment" program for the corals. In 2017, the BFI claimed the number of corals in Boracay increased from 15 to 20 percent since 2015 due to its project. Boracay has been experiencing an increased coliform bacteria population since the 1990s, which contributed to a 60 percent decline in tourist arrivals in 1997. Although a potable water supply system, a solid waste disposal system, as well as

7031-438: The succeeding years. However, the problem of low price support for rice still continues to affect the production sector. In general, Aklan is sufficient in meat and other livestock and poultry products, though in the inventory of livestock and poultry in the year 2000, hog and chicken had a decrease in population from 114,890 heads of hogs and 886,597 heads of chickens in 1999 to 95,950 heads of hogs and 782,820 heads of chicken in

7120-901: The tip of Panay . It is known for its white sandy beaches and is considered one of the most prominent destinations in the Philippines. Because of this, there is frequent air travel to the province's airports in Kalibo and Caticlan ; Kalibo International Airport itself is about ten minutes from the main plaza. Both airports serve direct flights to and from Taipei ; Hong Kong ; Beijing , Shanghai and Chengdu in China; and Incheon and Busan in Korea, through international flights served by Air Asia Zest Airways , All Nippon Airways , Jin Air , Tiger Air Philippines, Etihad Airlines and PAL Express , Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines . The following are

7209-616: The title "The Mother of All Philippine Festivals", being the oldest festival in the Philippines and in spite of the other Sinulog and Dinagyang festivals' claims of the same title. The costumes worn at the festival is patterned after the African tribal design like those seen at the Rio Carnival in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil . A 1200 A.D. event explains the origins of the festival. A group of 10 Malay chieftains called Datus , fleeing from

7298-554: The waters surrounding the islands. In early 2018, 50 to 60 percent of all establishments in Boracay were compliant to the Clean Water Act of 2004 according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources . Partly because of its wind and weather patterns, tourism in Boracay is at its peak during the amihan season (which generally starts around the Christmas season and runs through February ). During amihan ,

7387-427: The west. On Boracay, the main indicator of the switch between the Amihan and Habagat seasonal patterns is the switch in wind direction. In most years this transition is abrupt and occurs overnight. In some years there is a period of perhaps a week or two where the wind will switch between Amihan and Habagat patterns several times before settling into the pattern for the new season. As a rule of thumb, Boracay will be in

7476-638: The year. Kali-Ugyon Festival ( kali stands for Kalipayan or happiness and Ugyon meaning "unity"). This is the festival celebrated in Libacao every December 30 to January 1, costumed in modern and indigenous outfits bringing people together on the streets for merry-making and to drive away evil spirits in the coming New Year. Aklanons are known for their literature, which includes the epic of Kalantiao . Certain Aklanons, such as Melchor F. Cichon, Roman Aguirre , have produced several notable literary works in

7565-544: Was administered by the Boracay Inter-agency Task Force during the closure. It reopened in October 2018, with a new set of rules meant to address a variety of issues. The Boracay Ati-atihan in January 2024 witnessed a record-breaking number of tourists, with 36,741 people participating in the event. This festival, which celebrates the cultural heritage of the Ati indigenous people , has been

7654-423: Was declared a "special tourism zone". In April 2006, Arroyo gave the PTA administrative control over Boracay, to be exercised in coordination with the provincial government. In 2009, Boracay Island Water Co. (BIWC), won a contract to improve the supply of potable water and install an efficient sewerage system. Boracay has experienced abnormally high algae growth since February 2015, due to sewage being dumped into

7743-473: Was governed by a capitan , usually a member of native principalia of the town, who have the task of remitting revenues to the central government in Manila . Ever since its inception to the present day, the term "municipality" holds the same definition as "town" when the first towns grew in size under the Spanish pueblo system ( pueblo meaning "town" in Spanish language) to be granted municipal charters, hence

7832-469: Was previously part of the province of Capiz . It was under the jurisdiction of the town of Buruanga until the municipality of Malay was established on June 15, 1949. The municipality, as well as the island, became part of Aklan , which became an independent province on April 25, 1956. Before the advent of tourism, Boracay was largely an agricultural community. Around 1910, Sofía Gonzáles Tirol and her husband Lamberto Hontiveros Tirol (a town judge on

7921-414: Was traditionally cooked inside bamboo tubes or directly on halved coconut shells. Linapay also known as tinamuk , is a dish related to Laing but from Aklan in the Western Visayas . It is made from pounded freshwater shrimp ( ueang ) mixed with gawud (grated young coconut meat) and wrapped with taro leaves ( gutaw ) and cooked in coconut milk. The province is known for its festivities which includes

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