RAPID GROWTH BAD FOR BORACAY

By Francis Allan L. Angelo
UNBRIDLED development is taking toll on the country’s top tourist destination. This has prompted Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DNER) to recommend a moratorium on the issuance of land declarations and building permits to businesses and settlers in Boracay Island.Newly-installed DENR Secretary Lito Atienza Jr. made the proposal during a meeting with local officials of Aklan, resort owners and other Boracay stakeholders at La Carmela Resort Monday.
Among those who attended the meeting were Aklan Rep. Joeben Miraflores, Sangguniang Bayan member Wilbec Gelito who represented Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling and some 20 resort owners.
Boracay is under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Malay.During the meeting, resort owners expressed their observation that the master plan for Boracay is no longer followed as the municipal government has been issuing tax declarations to settlers putting up their businesses and residences in the island resort.
Atienza shared the observation of the resort owners saying big mansions are being constructed within the island’s forest areas.
“We have a problem at hand that should be solved like forest encroachment, congestion, sewerage system, water system and proper solid waste management.
I could not even see a sidewalk in the roads around the island and it is not safe for the commuters. These need to be attended immediately,” Atienza said.
Resort owner Dr. Perfecto Sacay said there has to be some order to the sprouting migration in Boracay.
Apparently, the influx of people and rapid business growth is gradually sapping the island’s resources.
“We had been experiencing water shortage,” Sacay said.
Anita Aguirre of the Boracay Plaza Beach Resort said liquid waste disposal has also been a concern for resort owners.
“We also have sewerage problem that cause air pollution on our local and foreign tourist,” Aguirre said.
The DENR chief said he has asked the help of the military and non-government organizations to adopt portions of the forest in Boracay and Malay “so that we can be assured that our forest areas here in Boracay and your source of water from Nabaoy, Malay can be rehabilitated and protected.”
The DENR and the Philippine Army forged a memorandum of agreement for the preservation of the 2,000-hectare forest reserve at Brgy. Nabaoy, Malay. The area is the main source of potable water in Boracay.
The MOA stipulates that the military will help protect and rehabilitate the watershed area. Atienza also sought the help of the municipal government in imposing a six-month moratorium on the issuance of tax declaration and permits for building constructions.
Atienza also directed the DENR-6 under Regional Executive Director Lormelyn E. Claudio to consolidate all development plans in Boracay involving the Department of Tourism, municipal officials of Malay, the provincial government, barangay officials in Boracay and the stakeholders.

The DENR secretary said he expects the local government of Malay and Miraflores to stem the migration problem and unbridled construction boom.Resort owners and barangay officials expressed contentment with the DENR’s proposal even as they vowed to support Atienza and the moratorium.
Boracay Island was recently included in the list of top beaches around the world. Boracay’s two primary tourism beaches—White Beach and Bulabog Beach—are located on opposite sides of the island’s narrow area.
White Beach faces westwards while Bulabog Beach faces east. White Beach, with its white and powdery sand, is the main tourism area. The four-kilometer stretch is lined with resorts, hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses. Aside from the beaches, Boracay is also popular for its diving sites and active nightlife. (With reports from DENR-6/RPAO)