FILE: Boracay Island beach from afar
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has cited environmental problems that should be addressed during the six-month closure of Boracay island.
Among these are the garbage, sewage system, logistics and mainly the demolition of illegal structures.
A public consultation with the stakeholders will be held on April 17 to lay down what will happen during the rehabilitation and what will be the government’s intervention especially for those who will lose their jobs.
“Pwedeng maging (It could be) four months, pwedeng maging (or maybe) three months. Depende kung (It depends on) how fast we can address this environmental problems,” DENR Usec. Jonas Leones said.
But even if the whole six months closure time will be used up, rehabilitation will continue and tourists will be allowed to enter the island.
More than 900 illegal structures, particularly those built on wet lands and protected areas, are set to be removed.
Establishments found with no violations will be allowed to operate but they are expected to be affected also because tourists are not allowed to visit the area.
“Nobody should be above the law,” DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said.
DENR is preparing the cases to be filed against officials who were found neglecting their duties that resulted in numerous environmental violations on the island.
Other government agencies such as Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Department of Health (DOH) will be included in the inter-agency council that will handle the rehabilitation. — Rey Pelayo | UNTV News & Rescue
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