
By: Gil Delos Santos
My First Impression: Awkward
After the presentation on the Public Hearing today, October 6th, conducted at Balabag Plaza, it all makes sense.
WHY CITY OF MALAY BORACAY NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND

The first “Malay City” proposal is left pending at the 18th and 19th Congress.

The “City of Malay Boracay” is now on the move at the 20th Congress having Congressman Miraflores as the chair on Local Government Committee.

HB 4415 will have 2 separate Districts: (1) Mainland Malay, (2) Boracay Island โ It’s a beautiful depiction of 2 Districts in one city name. Contrary, if we make it “City of Boracay Malay”, it only describes Boracay being in Malay โ it implies focus on Boracay being in Malay which undermines the municipality.
ISSUE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN PROMOTIONS OF BORACAY ONCE IT IS LABELED A CITY

True sustainability is through action and sustainable measures, NOT in the name.

A city name is separate from a brand name. They are two separate subjects that can be customized based on what campaign we launch.
E.g.

Invitation for Investments โ city name is the appropriate banner.

Boracay Marketing & Promotional Campaign โ Boracay World’s Best Best is the appropriate name/label to carry.
OTHER MATTERS

Infrastructure Plan โ It is indicated and identified at the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). It is part of the ways-forward. The public consultation today was plainly focused on the proposed city name.
MY PERSONAL BORACAYNON MANIFESTATION

There are relevant economic gains for the conversion of the municipality into a component city (if handled properly). The one concern is just that;

The new seats available for cityhood should be hired based on professional qualifications, not the padrino system especially the City Administrator post โ it should be open and subjected for public scrutiny.
CHALLENGE FOR MALAY

Let’s join the alliance for Good Governance โ to have a seal of clean and fair local government.