Boracay forestland clearing ops slow

The Boracay inter-agency task force is ordered to prioritize the recovery of four out of nine wetlands in the island resort. BORACAY PNP/AKLAN FORUM JOURNAL

BORACAY – The demolition of illegal structures in this island resort’s forestlands and wetlands has been slow, data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) showed.

Only 29 out of 885 illegal structures had been demolished within the 268-hectare forestland more than two months into the island’s half-year closure, the DENR said during Monday’s Senate hearing on Boracay’s degradation.

This is equivalent to only 3.29-percent completed demolition work in the forestland, the agency added.

Medyo mabagal ang demolisyon,” stressed Sen. Nancy Binay, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Tourism.

The DENR leads the inter-agency task force assigned to “reverse” Boracay’s poor environmental condition.

It is tasked to prioritize the recovery of four out of nine wetlands in the island.

But based on DENR’s report on Monday, only 29 out of 548 illegal structures within the 37.81-hectare Boracay wetlands had been cleared – or only 5.29-percent completed work.

These illegal structures include boardinghouses that were blamed for the wetlands’ pollution.

DENR said it has to ensure first the relocation site for forestland and wetland occupants before a full-blown demolition starts.

With the current demolition progress, Environment secretary Roy Cimatu said, “The coliform quality sa wetlands ay medyo bumaba.”

He added, “The only way to clean the Bulabog beach ay dapat malinis ang pinanggagalingan ng tubig sa wetlands. Even beyond six months, we will rehabilitate the wetlands.”

Cimatu stressed that private firms have committed to help DENR in restoring the wetlands. These companies include San Miguel Corp., Cebu Pacific, Aboitiz Group, Energy Development Corp., and Lucio Tan Group, Inc.

Boracay is expected to reopen on Oct. 26./PN

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