DAVAO CITY– Environmental group Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) has lauded President Rodrigo Duterte over the six-month closure of Boracay Island starting on April 26.
IDIS executive director Chinkee Peliño-Golle said it is a good move from the government as it would make the island rest from being used by investors and the tourists.
“Daghan ang nakinabang na sa Boracay and sad lang kay how many years wala gyud na-maintain ang iyang kahinlo (Many had benefited from Boracay and the sad thing is that the cleanliness was not properly maintained), ” she said.
Golle said the island has many environmental issues such as the rampant disposal of waste that flow down to the beach.
“As environmentalists, we are happy because of the decision of President Duterte,” she said.
However, she also aired the social concerns that need to be addressed during the closure period.
“Like for example, katong mga tao nga nagtrabaho diha, so I think kailangan siya i-address sa government, paano nila i-ensure nga while naka-sarado ang Boracay nga naay trabaho tong mga trabahante (Like for example, those people who are working there, I think the government should address it by giving them jobs during the closure period),” she said.
Golle said there is an order issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III mandating the establishments on the island of no retrenchment of their employees within the six-month period.
“That’s a good mandate but it should have a close monitoring on that because DOLE has an existing mandate but internally the establishments are gradually removing their employees,” she said
She said the government should provide financial assistance to the displaced workers. Earlier, Duterte said he would provide cash assistance to the displaced people on the island.
“I am going to sign the proclamation of calamity. And we can make available about PHP2 billion of assistance but these are only for the poor Filipinos,” Duterte said. The president added that he would not give assistance to the owners of inns, hotel or motels.
“That money is only intended for the Filipinos,” he said. (Armando Fenequito/PNA)
