(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, April 26, issued a proclamation declaring a state of calamity in Boracay.
Special Assistant to the President Bong Go said in particular, placed under a state of calamity were the barangays of Balabag, Manoc-Manoc, and Yapak in the town of Malay, Aklan.
Go said the move, which took place on the day the island was closed down to pave the way for the six-month rehabilitation of the island, was based on the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
The declaration will enable the government to tap up to P2 billion in calamity funds to help the displaced workers there.
“Now, the work of rehabilitating Boracay can begin,” Go said.
Earlier, Duterte angrily described the island as a “cesspool.”
