MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte is expected to discuss in the next Cabinet meeting on Wednesday the “final action” on the recommendation to close Boracay for six months, a Palace official said Tuesday.
Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra said this comes after the inter-agency group tasked to come up with the blueprint finally submitted its “detailed” recommendation that would justify the proposal.
“Yes, submitted na. May Cabinet meeting bukas. Baka ma-take up doon ang final action on Boracay (Yes, it has been submitted. There’s a Cabinet meeting tomorrow. The final action on Boracay might be taken up there),” Guevarra said in a statement.
On Monday, Guevarra said that the Office of the President, through the Executive Secretary’s office, has requested for “a more detailed” recommendation after the agency submitted proposal that was too “short”.
“I think, (the) two paragraph letter of recommendation, it would appear to be a total ban as recommended that’s why we are asking for, you know, some qualifications if there are any,” Guevarra said.
Guevarra, meanwhile, assured that Duterte will consider the economic impact of the closure before making a decision.
“First of all, it’s the economic impact on the island and the people residing and working there, that have to be considered by the President as well; not only the environment but also people, their livelihood, businesses, all of these will have to be taken into account,” Guevarra said.
He described the closure of the island as a “sacrifice” that had to be made.
“It’s too bad that there are certain short term effects, some sacrifices that have to be made. But we must not lose sight of the fact that this is for the long term,” he added. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
