BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan — Acting Malay Mayor Abram Sualog took his oath of office before Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) officer-in-charge Eduardo Año on the first day of the island’s reopening on Friday.
Sualog took over the position after a six-month preventive suspension was issued against Malay Mayor Ceciron Cawaling on Thursday.
Sualog, in an interview, said he will give his “full cooperation to the Boracay Interagency Task Force (BIATF) as the island reopens after its six months of rehabilitation.”
The reopening is the best moment for Boracay, especially among those who will regain their jobs and livelihood, Sualog said.
He is also expected to meet with all the department heads of the Local Government Unit of Malay following the reopening activities.
Cawaling has been ordered suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for gross neglect of duty, unbecoming conduct of a public officer, and grave misconduct.
This is in relation to the criminal and administrative charges filed by Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing for his issuance of mayor’s permit to some 20 establishments even without the requisite fire safety certificate from the Bureau of Fire Protection.
“The infractions of Cawaling and Salsona (referring to Jen Salsona, licensing officer of Malay) supposedly resulted in the widespread water pollution and degradation of the Boracay Island’s ecosystem,” as stated in a three-page Ombudsman order.
Aside from Cawaling, 16 other Aklan officials were likewise included in the same DILG complaint.
Año said it was only Cawaling that has been suspended by the Ombudsman while the case is still being studied. (Karen Bermejo/PNA)
