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[av_heading heading=’‘LaBoracay’ litmus test for island health’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY JUN AGUIRRE
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February 16, 2018
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BORACAY – Authorities want business establishments to comply with environmental laws they allegedly violated before May 1.
The Labor Day is popular in the island resort for “LaBoracay,” the day when a series of events – mostly parties – culminates.
LaBoracay will be used as a sort of a litmus test for the vitality of Boracay as a tourist destination.
“On LaBoracay we will wait for the reaction of the tourists,” said Aklan governor Florencio Miraflores. “From there we could decide whether or not to temporarily close Boracay.”
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the provincial government of Aklan are imposing the deadline.
Earlier President Rodrigo Duterte told the Environment department to “fix” the environmental problems in Boracay within six months or he will order its “closure.”
Locals, particularly business owners, were wary of the repercussion the threat may cause on Boracay’s economy heavily dependent on tourism – warning that the island may lose billions of pesos.
Duterte called Boracay – regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in the world – a “cesspool,” pointing out the problem with sewers that eject wastewater into the sea.
Miraflores disclosed that one of those warned that they will be closed for environmental law violations was the Boracay Island Water Company (BIWC), which was told to fix all its clogged pipes.
He said the provincial government will donate to the company some P10 million to help remedy the problem.
Regional Director Jim O Sampulna, on the other hand, said the Environment department will help resolve problems in Boracay on a different front: corruption.
Sampulna said he will coordinate with all concerned agencies to expedite the government transactions businesses enter into.
He said they are concerned that corruption is making the government – including several attached agencies of the Environment department – lax when dealing with violators.
“I will bring up this concern to Secretary Roy Cimatu,” said Sampulna./PN
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