Nancy: Suspend all Boracay permits but…

Residents clean up Boracay’s beachfront as part of the cash-for-work program of the government on Wednesday, July 25 – a day before the island’s half-year closure reaches three months. DENR/TWITTER

BORACAY – While she agreed with an order to suspend all environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) and other permits of business establishments in this famed island resort, Sen. Nancy Binay called for a hassle-free reapplication process.

Environment secretary Roy Cimatu issued Memorandum Circular 2018-08 on July 18, which ordered the suspension of all existing ECCs and business permits in Boracay.

Rescinding all permits of businesses operating in the island will give the government and the people a “fresh start,” said Binay on Wednesday.

But the chairwoman of the Senate tourism committee stressed that the process of reapplying for the permits might be “too cumbersome,” thus making compliance prone to corruption.

Sen. Nancy Binay

Binay said there must only be “one unified” checklist to ensure “clear, efficient, transparent, and reasonable” compliance process.

“To avoid another systemic failure in the future, it is best to restart and correct whatever wrong settings there may be in order for establishments to be fully compliant with existing laws and environmental policies,” she stressed.

The senator from Makati also said “man-made factors that contribute to the unsustainability of Boracay” must be “cast[ed] away.”

Ganun din dapat ang maging direction sa ibang island destinations,” Binay added.

She also directed the national and local governments to shoulder the fees and other payments needed in the application.

“To be fair, let everyone be given a fresh start,” said Binay. “Everybody applies [for a business permit and ECC] again, and it is also fitting for government to extend them the courtesy to reapply and waive the fees except for payment of taxes.”

Binay added that “it’s an opportunity to be inspired” and the government must “give the people of Boracay the needed boost.”

“The necessary rebooting of Boracay makes Mother Nature hopeful of a better future for the island and its people,” she said./PN

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