The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Visayas is pushing for the appointment of an administrator for Boracay Island as part of efforts to save the island-resort from unregulated development.
DOT regional director Edwin Trompeta has recommended to Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano, who also chairs the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), that the PTA appoint an administrator who shall hold office in Boracay to oversee the day to day implementation of the rules and regulations concerning development projects on the island. The administrator will also coordinate the projects and programs of local government units and other agencies, according to Trompeta.
The recommendation comes amid renewed calls to regulate development projects on the island which is already facing problems of overpopulation and unhampered construction of buildings.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources last week called for a six-month moratorium on the construction of new buildings on the island until the PTA comes up with a new development master plan for the island which would ensure the protection and sustainable utilization of its resources. The DENR is also planning to come up with an environmental protection master plan for the island within the period.
Trompeta said the appointment of an island administrator would help ensure order and direction to projects on the island while safeguarding the sustainability of its resources.
"Nobody seems to be in-charge now," Trompeta said in a telephone interview.
He said the PTA and Boracay Eminent Persons Groups (EPG) should also exercise a more active tole to exercise their mandate.
The PTA is tasked to implement DOT programs pertaining to the development, promotion and supervision of tourism projects. It develops identified priority areas and operates facilities in these areas.
The EPG, created by President Macapagal-Arroyo on October 2004, is tasked to oversee the sustainable development of Boracay Tourism.
It is is empowered to formulate plans for sustainable development of tourism in Boracay and to recommend rules and regulations related to these plans to the PTA.
It also advocates policies promoting sustainable development in the island and ensure the prioritization of major projects. The EPG will help determine the proper land use projects and ensure the preservation of the island's natural and cultural heritage.
While these two agencies have jurisdiction to the island, Boracay is under the political jurisdiction of the municipality of Malay and the province of Aklan.
Conflicts between the local government units, stakeholders and other agencies over policies concerning' Boracay have repeatedly erupted.
Trompeta said the continued confusion and problems on managing the island is hampering the sustainable development of the island.
"This is unfortunate because of the popularity earned by the island," said Trompeta.
He cited in a letter to Durano that Boracay was included in the 10 Best Beaches in the World in the Conde Nast Magazine and in the July 2007 issue of Island Magazine as one of the 30 Best Beaches in the world for 2007.
Trompeta also recommended that the PTA and EPG put in place a unified working arrangement that will address the various development concerns of Boracay.
He also pushed for the DOT, PTA, EPG LGUs and other government agencies to draft working guidelines or implementing rules and regulations that will govern the development of the island and pinpoint specific responsibility for its implementation.
"I believe hat the palsy-walsy style management of Boracay by many disparate interests is in fact hastening the demise of Boracay," said Trompeta in his letter to Durano.(thenewstoday)
No comments:
Post a Comment