NOTE: THIS STORY WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE BOHOL CHRONICLE’S SUNDAY PRINT EDITION.

Gov. Aris Aumentado will create a task force to look into the urgent concerns at the Alona beach area amidst rising clamor to clean up the beach front especially with the influx of tourists during summer vacation.

“Task Force Alona ” will be convened tomorrow as he named Panglao Mayor Boy Arcay to chair the task force with the governor as his co-chair.

He told the Chronicle the task force will fast track the implementation of eight major concerns at the Alona beach zone which include among others the stoppage of vending activities with tables and chairs no longer allowed to be brought to the shorelines and pulling out of dive boats and island-hopping boats at the Alona area.

The two most urgent concerns will be attended to by “Task Force Alona ” in a bid to eliminate the major eyesores in the beach front.

Also to be taken action upon are the prohibition of pets, and the ban on picnickers bringing their food to the beach while massage at the shorelines will also be strictly prohibited outside their designated areas.

Notably to be stopped also is the conduct of fire dancing and fireworks display on the shorelines.

The governor said “Task Force Alona ” will take the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) chaired by lawyer Doy Nunag as the secretariat.

COMPOSITION

Gov. Aumentado said the task force will be a 14-man team with the mayor as the head.

The members of the task force are: Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO), representatives from Panglao Municipal Tourism Office, Municipal Engineer’s Office/Building Official, Bohol Prov’l Environment & Management Office, Provincial Tourism Office, Environment Management Bureau (DENR), Phil. Coast Guard, Phil. National Police, Panglao PNP, Panglao Tourist Police, PNP-Maritime Group, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Dept of Interior and Local Govt (DILG), Dept of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The said order will take effect immediately, according to the governor’s Executive Order.

DAY ONE

Gov. Aumentado said Task Force Panglao will perhaps give a week of information drive before the implementation of the clean-up drive of Alona beach.