MANILA – Presidential aspirants have differing opinions on the proposed Boracay Island Development Authority (BIDA) that will oversee the world-famous tourist destination.
Asked during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas’ (KBP) “Panata sa Bayan” presidential forum on Friday, three aspirants opposed the measure while two others wanted to give it a chance.
Vice President Leni Robredo, Manila’s Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Sen. Manny Pacquiao believed BIDA was not necessary.
“While I agree na dapat maayos ang Boracay, hindi ako agree na mawawalan ng boses ang LGU (local government unit). Hindi pwedeng alisan ng boses ang maaapektuhan,” Robredo said.
BIDA will be a government-owned and controlled corporation that will manage, develop, operate, preserve, and rehabilitate the Boracay Island Development Zone, which shall include the entirety of Boracay Island and surrounding islets including Barangay Caticlan.
Quarters opposed to the BIDA claimed the proposed body would be clothed with powers and functions, which duplicate, and overlap with, those already vested upon and exercised by the national government’s line and attached agencies. They also said it violates the policy of devolution and decentralization.
“Let us not fix something that is not destroyed,” Domagoso said. “I do believe there are enough laws already addressing tourism regulation.”
For his part, Pacquiao said, “Kailangan pa ba iyong BIDA? Nandiyan na ang Department of Tourism na nakatutok diyan.”
On the other hand, Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Leody de Guzman believed BIDA is needed to improve the tourism in Western Visayas’ famous attraction.
“I will sign the BIDA Bill,” Lacson said. “Ito ay isang essence ng tourism industry. Dapat magkaroon tayo ng tourism state mentality para ma-develop ang tourism.”
“Kailangan natin iyan. Dapat siguraduhin lang na ang participation ng komunidad ay mangyari para sa susunod ay marinig ang boses ng mga sangkot sa proyektong gagawin,”De Guzman said. “’Yan ang isa sa mga potensyal natin, base sa karakter ng bansa.”
BIDA is a priority legislation of President Rodrigo Duterte to promote and accelerate the sustainable development of the island./PN
