Ex-Malay execs ‘not yet off the hook’

DILG awaits result of env’t fee special audit

The Commission on Audit is currently checking where the P75 Boracay environmental fee collected from years 2012 to 2017 went. Last year, the famed island resort accommodated more than 2 million foreign and domestic tourists, generating over P56 billion worth of tourism receipts, based on the records from the Department of Tourism. GMA

BORACAY – Former government officials of Malay, Aklan are “not yet off the hook,” said Interior and Local Government undersecretary Epimaco Densing III.

The Commission on Audit (COA) is currently checking where the P75 Boracay environmental fee collected from years 2012 to 2017 went, according to Densing.

The environmental fee is collected from tourists entering the Caticlan port, the main jump-off point to the world-famous island.

Money accumulated from the fee – under Municipal Ordinance No. 230 series of 2005 – must be used for environment- and tourism-related projects.

Fifteen percent of the fee collection goes to the provincial government while the remaining 85 percent, to the municipal government.

Maghihintay tayo ng resulta ng special audit ng COA,” said Densing. “Kung may discrepancies at violations ng Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act sa nakolektang environmental fee, kakasuhin natin sila. They are not yet off the hook.”

The 30-day audit started last month, added Densing.

Patapos na rin ang special audit sa Malay…Ipa-review pa natin [ang results] sa investigation at legal teams natin,” Densing said.

He added, “Gusto nating makita kung magkano ang nakolekta at paano ginamit ang environmental fee dahil specific ang paggamit ng environmental fee ayon sa municipal ordinance.”

On June 27, Densing filed administrative and criminal charges against 17 Aklan local officials before the Office of the Ombudsman.

He accused them of negligence in ensuring the sustainability of Boracay.

Among the case respondents were Gov. Florencio Miraflores, Malay mayor Ciceron Cawaling, Malay vice mayor Abram Sualog, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Valentin Talabero, Sangguniang Bayan members Natalie Cawaling-Paderes, Jupiter Gallenero, Floribar 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.

In 2017, Boracay accommodated over 2 million domestic and foreign tourists, generating over P56 billion worth of tourism receipts, based on the records from the Department of Tourism. (With a report from Aklan Forum Journal/PN)

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