BORACAY – A total of 85 families occupying a wetland in this island resort will be relocated in mainland Malay, Aklan.
Department of Environment and Natural Resoruces (DENR) secretary Roy Cimatu said illegal settlers occupying Wetland No. 6 will be relocated to Sitio Corong, Barangay Cogon in mainland Malay.
Before their actual relocation, Cimatu said the illegal settlers will be first transferred to a staging area in Caticlan port.
This will happen within the next two months, he added.
The provincial government offered a portion of the Catilcan reclamation area as temporary staging zone for the relocated illegal settlers.
Since it will take some time to build the houses in Barangay Cogon, the San Miguel Corp. will set up 100 tents for the informal settlers. The company will also provide them with basic utilities.
The relocation is part of the wetland rehabilitation plan of the inter-agency task force assigned to “reverse” Boracay’s condition.
The DENR is mandated under Executive Order No. 53 to demolish all structures situated in wetlands and forestlands in the island.
Structures built in bodies of water that are violating environmental laws must also be destroyed (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
