BELIEVING that Boracay Island is experiencing too much human pressure because of the boom in tourism activities, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) plans to review and craft a new master plan that would promote other ecotourism spots in the Northern Aklan region.
In a statement, Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the new master plan will incorporate recent developments in the region.
Updating the old Boracay master plan is part of the “first aid” measures the DENR is implementing to solve the woes of the world-famous island destination, Cimatu said.
“We intend to revisit the Boracay master plan to incorporate it into a more comprehensive Northern Aklan master plan, which will hasten the development of Caticlan, Malay and Carabao islands and radiate it to the nearby areas possibly including Romblon,” he added.
The DENR believes a new master plan will boost tourism revenues while limiting Boracay to tourists within the island’s carrying capacity. This was revealed by Cimatu as he led the launching of a movement in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, on April 24, where he gave a glimpse of the Task Force Boracay’s plans.
Boracay Island will be closed for six months beginning April 26 to give way to rehabilitation activities, including the demolition of structures situated in the wetlands. At least 17,000 people employed by the tourism industry in Boracay alone stand to be affected by the closure of Boracay, during which the DENR hopes to fix the many problems besetting the island.
Some of these problems are water pollution brought by poor sewage system and illegal connection, excessive garbage production, massive destruction of forestland and wetlands because of illegal construction of business establishments and squatting by informal settler families who migrated on the island.
“Within that period, we intend to put in place what we might call the ‘First aid’ solution to Boracay’s problems: among others, putting the sewage and solid waste systems in place; demolish illegal structures, whether big or small, in the foreshore, on wetlands, in forest lands or even within road easements; set up rules and regulations to keep Boracay safe, including the use of jetty ports, vehicles and other means of transport, the entry and exit of people and the like,” Cimatu said. “And, of course, the governance of the place [is part of the plan].”
During the island’s closure, the environment chief also said a thorough review of the tourism program of Boracay Island will also be undertaken by the interagency task force who will also lock heads in the formulation of new attractions. This will include cultural shows and historical tours in the island and neighboring towns or cities with rich cultural heritage.
The DENR chief said the Ati people, the original inhabitants of the island, will not be left behind in crafting the new master plan. Cimatu added they would also be involved as part of the rehabilitation phase “so they will not feel out of place even as developments in their beloved island are set in place.”
He vowed a cleaner and livelier Boracay Island will unfold once the work has been completed.
“Healing” Boracay from the grudges of unbridled tourism is a must so future generations will still be able to experience its beauty, Cimatu added.
“Boracay Island was left with the problem of sewage, solid waste and other pollutive activities to the tender mercies,” the DENR chief said. “They let greed and neglect, as President Duterte so emphatically noted, turn this jewel into a “cesspool.” So now, we have to rehabilitate it to let it breathe and to let it live.”
Anti-colorum
Meanwhile, the Inter-agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) on Tuesday said the local governments of Kalibo and Caticlan in Aklan asked them to intervene and conduct anti-colorum and removal operations in their respective areas.
Transportation Undersecretary for Roads Thomas M. Orbos, who is also the I-ACT head, said that conducting public-utility vehicles (PUVs) check will boost environmental consciousness in the area.
“We recognize the problems Boracay is facing and we are here to lend a hand in resolving its worsening conditions,” Orbos said. “Smoke-belching contributes to the environmental woes of Aklan, especially in Boracay, since it’s been frequently flocked by tourists.”
He said the Department of Transporation (DOTr) needs “to intensify anti-colorum operations in the area to ensure the safety of passengers, most of whom are tourists.”
I-ACT operations will focus on mainland to address the expected exodus of people in Boracay.
Fifteen personnel from the I-ACT national and 45 personnel from the I-ACT Visayas will conduct anti-colorum and removal operations in the said cities, according to Orbos.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which are both part of the council, expressed their support to this initiative.
“The LTO is working hand in hand with [the] DOTr and I-ACT to make sure that land transportation rules are strictly enforced anywhere in the country,” LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar C. Galvante said.
LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III, for his part, said that they are “committed to their mandate to lead the anti-colorum operations, through the help of their database of legal franchises to ensure safety of riding public.”
Aside from road-worthiness test on PUVs, the I-ACT will also study green transport in Boracay to lessen, if not eliminate, environmental risks in the island brought about by excessive smoke emission from vehicles, Orbos said.