BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan — Senator Nancy Binay has asked stakeholders in Boracay to do their part in helping the island heal itself adding she is not amenable to the proposed total closure of this premier tourist destination.
Binay, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency before their Senate hearing in Boracay on Friday, expressed hope that the stakeholders would do their own part to address the environmental problems in the island.
The chair of the Senate tourism committee said owners violating environmental laws should carry out self-demolition of the illegal structures.
Binay reiterated her hope to find a solution for Boracay’s woes other than its closure in her opening statement before the Senate hearing conducted in the island.
President Duterte, after calling Boracay a “cesspool”, then urged for its total closure to address its environmental woes.
Other government departments are pushing for a six-month shutdown.
In 2017, Boracay generated PHP56 billion revenue from the 2.180 million tourist arrivals with 17,737 workers with direct employment in tourism, said Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo, who was also here for the Senate hearing.
The senator also turned her attention to the political leaders of Antique, urging them to start right with the development of their tourism industry.
She said since Antique is still a developing province in terms of its tourism then it is better that there is already a master plan drawn and implemented.
“May be you can draw up a master plan for 25 years which you could review now and then,” she said.
The master plan will serve as guide for the establishment of infrastructures in the province’s tourist attractions.
Antique has been gaining the attention of tourists as a side trip getaway after a Boracay visit.
The tourist arrivals in Antique reached around 1.2 million last year. (PNA)
