BORACAY – The Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Malay, Aklan has asked the national government to allow fireworks display in this famed island resort to welcome the New Year.
“New Year in Boracay isn’t complete without the dazzling display of fireworks,” said SB member Daligdig Sumndad.
Sumndad added that a “spectacular midnight fireworks show” has been a tradition in Boracay and in mainland Malay every New Year.
The SB’s request was forwarded to the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force, which now oversees operations in the island that was closed for six months beginning April 26 due to environmental degradation.
During Boracay’s reopening on Oct. 26, the task force has set guidelines including the ban on fireworks after 9 p.m. every day. This is to protect bats whose habitat is the island’s forestlands.
According to Sumndad, should they be allowed to have a fireworks display, it will only be from 11:30 p.m. of Dec. 31 to 12:30 of Jan. 1.
He added that they will set up the pyrotechnics 100 to 150 away from the shoreline.
“Mula pa noon pumupunta tayo sa beachfront at nanonood ng fireworks display. Isa itong attraction ng Boracay sa mga turista,” Sumndad said. (With a report from Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
