MANILA – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed graft and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against 17 Aklan government officials over Boracay’s environmental problem.
DILG undersecretary Epimaco Densing III charged Aklan governor Florencio Miraflores, Malay mayor Ciceron Cawaling and 15 other municipal officials on Wednesday.
Densing accused Miraflores of serious neglect of duty in ensuring the island’s sustainability.
He also accused Cawaling and the Malay officials of issuing establishments permits to operate despite them not securing fire safety inspection certificates.
Among the Malay officials who were charged were Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Valentin Talaberi, Vice Mayor Abram Sualog, Sangguniang Bayan members Natalie Cawaling-Paderes, Jupiyer Gallenero, Frolibar Bautista, Lloyd Maming, Dalidig Sumandad, Maylynn Aguirre-Graf, Danilo Delos Santos, and Dante Pagsuguiron, Licensing Officer III Jen Salsona, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Edgardo Sancho, and barangay officials Hector Casidsid, Chona Gabay and Lilibeth Sacapaño.
Boracay was closed off to tourists beginning April 26 to pave the way for its half-year rehabilitation.
This was after President Rodrigo Duterte called the island resort a “cesspool.”
An interagency group is now in charge of the island’s rehabilitation./PN
