ILOILO City – The four congressmen who pushed for the revival of the bill creating the Boracay Island Development Authority (BIDA) have officially withdrawn it.
Aklan 2nd District’s Cong. Teodorico Haresco Jr. shared on Facebook the letter of congressmen Luis Raymund Villafuerte (2nd District of Camarines Sur), Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata (1st District of Camarines Sur), Miguel Luis R. Villafuerte (5th District of Camarines Sur, and Bicol Saro’s Rep. Nicolas C. Enciso VIII to Committee on Rules chairperson Manuel Jose Dalipe expressing intention to withdraw House Bill (HB) 1085.
On July 4, the four solons filed HB 1085 or the BIDA Act and this was referred to the Committee on Government Enterprise and Privatization on July 27.
“However, upon careful discernment, these representations would like to withdraw the filing of the said house bill,” read part of the letter dated Aug. 3 and received by the Committee on Rules on Aug. 8.
Relative to this, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan, in a special session, decided to withdraw its resolution declaring the four congressmen persona non grata.
“I, and the whole Province of Aklan, are very thankful to the authors of BIDA 2 for siding with and believing in Aklanons in their pursuit for the protection and sustainable development of Boracay Island – by the locals, for the locals,” Haresco expressed.
Meanwhile, Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas expressed support to the leaders of Aklan province opposing the revival of proposed bill.
“I am one with them. The local government should have autonomy as enshrined in our Constitution and the Local Government Code,” said Treñas.
According to the city mayor, Iloilo City, as jump off point to Boracay Island, has benefited a lot from the progress of the world-renowned destination.
“I have faith in the able management and great efforts of the local government of Aklan towards further development of Boracay. I am confident that their leaders and all Akeanon can bring the island to even greater heights using their full capabilities and resources.” Trenas added./PN
