Bring on BF in Boracay

COMMENTARY:
Jun Ariolo N. Aguirre
Boracay Island- If President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is bent on bringing order in this resort island, stakeholders and residents here urged the president to bring in Bayani 'BF' Fernando in this resort island.

In her last two State of the Nations Addresses (2006 and 2007), Mrs. Arroyo bared her plans of making Boracay as the centerpiece of tourism industry in central visayas.

Stakeholders who requested anonymity here said that only BF's known ironhand for political will could be a chance to boost this resort island's tourism industry as a premier tourism destination in the country.

Fernando was known to bring order in his city of Marikina as mayor for three consecutive terms. As a result of his success, he was appointed as chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Mrs. Arroyo apparently disappointed with the island management in Boracay in 2004 has ordered the creation of the Eminent Persons Group led by prominent businessmen in this resort island.

But after several meetings and public consultations, the EPG apparently failed to bring order in this resort island. Last year, Mrs. Arroyo again asked the Philippine Tourism Authority to take over the management of this resort island.

So far, the PTA have been succesful in implenting certain measures in this resort island specifically on drainage issues but stakeholders here believed the PTA is 'ningas cogon' in implementing strict measures in this resort island.

Among the problems in Boracay that is difficult to address is the worsening system of garbage, traffic, political system and several of the businessmen here are allegedly giving up grease money to several politicians for the protection of their respective businesses.