President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the once-idyllic white-sand resort closed to tourists for up to six months from April 26, after describing the country’s top tourist attraction as a “cesspool” tainted by raw sewage. / AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS
(Eagle News) – The Department of Environment will review and update the existing Boracay Master Plan and demolish all illegal structures in the island during Boracay’s six month closure that will start on Thursday, April 26.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu made this announcement saying that the masterplan should also cover nearby islands to boost tourism revenues in the Northern Aklan region.
Cimatu said that DENR intends to come up with a “more comprehensive Northern Aklan master plan” to hasten the development of Caticlan, Malay and Carabao islands, and possibly even Romblon.
Updating the old Boracay Master Plan is part of the ‘first aid’ measures the DENR is implementing to solve the woes of the world-famous island destination.
Boracay Island will be closed for six months beginning April 26 to give way to rehabilitation activities, including the demolition of structures situated in the wetlands.
“Within that period, we intend to put in place what we might call the ‘First aid’ solution to Boracay’s problems,” Cimatu explained,
He said that among the remedies they are looking into is the demolition of illegal structures – whether big or small – in the foreshore, on wetlands, in forest lands or even within road easements.
DENR will also “set up rules and regulations to keep Boracay safe, including the use of jetty ports, vehicles and other means of transport, the entry and exit of people,” said Cimatu.
Another top priority is the setting up of sewage and solid waste systems in the island.
“Boracay Island was left with the problem of sewage, solid waste and other pollutive activities to the tender mercies. They let greed and neglect, as President Duterte so emphatically noted, turn this jewel into a ‘cesspool’. So now, we have to rehabilitate it to let it breathe and to let it live,” Cimatu stressed.
During the island’s closure, the Environment chief said a thorough review of the tourism program of Boracay Island will also be reviewed by the inter-agency task force who will also lock heads in the formulation of new attractions. This will include cultural shows and historical tours in the island and neighboring towns or cities with rich cultural heritage, a release from the DENR said.
Cimatu said that they will also consider the needs of the island’s original inhabitants – the Atis – during Boracay’s rehabilitation “so they will not feel out of place even as developments in their beloved island are set in place.”
He said that once the work in Boracay island had been completed, Filipinos and foreigners alike will see a “cleaner and livelier Boracay.”
“Healing” Boracay Island is a must so future generations will be able to experience its beauty, he added.
