BORACAY ISLAND, one of the most visited destinations in the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Department of Tourism (DOT) have already submitted to Malacañang the detailed proposal in the closure of Boracay Island starting on April 26.
The said recommendation of the inter-agency task force aims to give way to the extensive clean-up drive on the island.
Through a text message, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra stated that the final action on Boracay would be likely discussed at Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.
As for the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the agency believes it would best if its closure would just take place during lean months or low season.
In this way, the establishments or workers on the island would not be severely affected.
“Una, nirekomenda namin na simulan ito sa lean months. Ibig sabihin, magkakaroon talaga ng pagbaba sa empleyo—ang mga seasonal employment sa lugar. Ikalawa, nirerekomenda namin na ang bilang nga mga manggagawang ito sila ang maaaring isama sa paglilinis,” said NEDA Usec. Rosemarie Edillon.
(Firstly, we are recommending to start this in the lean season. That means there will be a drop in the employment—the seasonal employment in the area. Number two, we are also recommending that these workers be involved in the clean-up drive.)
Meanwhile, the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6 has begun creating a contingency plan for the forthcoming shut down of the island.
Dir. Jose Roberto Nuñez said they are already preparing for the mitigation plans to whatever would be the outcome of the interagency’s recommendation on the Boracay closure.
“If the president will say, ‘I will totally close that,’ if ever, then meron na tayong preparation (we would already have some preparation),” said the director.
“We could mitigate ang effect niya sa (its effect on) livelihood sa (on the) business sector,” said RPOC chair Gov. Samuel Gumar
If the island would be totally shut down, 79,182 individuals and over 36,000 jobs might get affected.
This is apart from the million peso revenues in the island that has been gone. — Robbie De Guzman | UNTV News & Rescue
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