Stakeholders ask Du30 to scrap island closure plans
BORACAY – Stakeholders from different sectors appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to cancel plans to shut down this popular island destination.
They expressed their plea through a March 19 letter, asking the President to give them a chance to “undertake the necessary mitigating measures to resolve the critical environmental problems arising from the rapid and unregulated growth of our local tourism industry.”
This came after Gov. Florencio Miraflores on March 17 enjoined all stakeholders in Aklan to appeal for a “yes to cleanup, no closure” in the island.
Amid the rehabilitation efforts in Boracay since last month, three concerned government agencies (the Environment, Tourism, and Interior and Local Government departments) have jointly suggested to close the island for a year.
The President – who earlier this month said he would place the island under a state of calamity – is expected to announce his say on the suggestion on March 26.
The local stakeholders stressed that the island closure, though justifiably for rehabilitation purposes, will aggravate over 19,000 registered workers in Boracay.
“Mr. President, we know that you are a man of reason and the lowly workers who will suffer most from the proposed closure of Boracay are nearest to your heart, we therefore appeal for your unqualified support as we pledge to exert our utmost efforts in achieving our short-term goals to address the most pressing issues confronting our beloved Boracay,” the letter said.
The stakeholders also said the closure will affect the “marketability” of the island in the future.
“We are one with you in the need to balance tourism development with environmental protection and preservation. We recognize the status of Boracay as a premier destination can only be maintained by the conscious and determined efforts of all stakeholders…,” the letter added.
The letter was signed by officials from the Aklan provincial government, Malay municipal government, Office of Aklan Congressional District, Boracay Foundation, Inc., Boracay Land Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative, racay Island Travel Agencies and Tour Operators Association, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Boracay and Kalibo chapters), Boracay Island Hopping and Adventure Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Caticlan Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Aklan Tourism Officers Association, Boracay Island Fire Dancers Associations Incorporated, and the Philippine Association of Licensed Massage Therapists and Malay Boracay Vendors.
Other signatories were members of the Peddlers, Masseurs, Manicurist Association, Malay Tour Guide Association, Boracay Water Sports Association, Inc., Boracay Action Group, My Boracay Guide, Boracay Island Hopping Adventure Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Kalibo International Transport Association, Malay Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, Caticlan Port-Vendors Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Malay Ports Services Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Malay Motorbike Service Cooperative, MASBOI Sailboat Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Boracay Reef Walking Association, Inc., Boracay Island Travel and Tour Operators Association, Boracay Association of Scuba Diving School, Kalibo Ati-Atihan Accommodation Association, Boracay Mabuhay Host Association, Inc., Boracay Photographer Association, Inc., and local chapters of League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines, Philippine Councilors League, and Liga ng mga Barangay and League of Vice Mayors of the Philippines. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
