MANILA — Two senators on Wednesday joined growing calls to fast-track the rehabilitation of pollution-challenged Boracay island so as to sustain the country’s tourism growth while preserving the island’s beauty.
Senator Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, called on all stakeholders to get their act together to save the “world’s best island”.
He also urged government agencies and local officials to implement strictly existing environmental laws and ordinances, and penalize erring establishments.
“We have to get our acts together. Boracay attracts two million tourists every year and brings in more than PHP50 billion in annual revenues. Huwag naman sana nating sayangin ito dahil lamang may ilang establisimyento na hindi nakakasunod sa mga regulasyon ng gobyerno (Let’s not waste this opportunity just because some establishments could not comply with government regulations),” he said.
According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), of the 150 business establishments recently inspected by the government, only 25 were connected to the sewage line, while a number of them were draining their sewage directly into the sea.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte recently threatened to close the island as its garbage and sewage problem poses a threat to the health of tourists.
Angara stressed that stakeholders should not have to wait for the closure order as it would dampen the tourism industry, as well as the livelihood of the locals.
“The tourism industry is a major economic driver and job generator for the country. Definitely, its closure will have an adverse impact on its locals who depend on the island’s tourism for their livelihood. Kung kaya huwag na nating hintayin na tuluyan itong ipasara dahil sa ating kapabayaan (Let’s not wait for Boracay’s total closure because of our neglect),” he said.
The lawmaker also called on stakeholders to take advantage of the Green Jobs Law (Republic Act No. 10771) that incentivizes the creation of jobs that contribute substantially to the preservation and restoration of the environment and natural resources.
Under RA 10771, which Angara sponsored, green jobs are jobs that help “protect ecosystems and biodiversity, and minimize or altogether avoid the generation of all forms of waste and pollution”.
“Green jobs can help preserve the pristine waters and powdery white sand of Boracay. Bukod sa disenteng trabaho, makatutulong pa ito sa rehabilitasyon ng isla (Apart from providing decent jobs, they would help rehabilitate the island),” Angara said.
Meanwhile, Senator Nancy Binay urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the municipality of Malay, Aklan to organize citizens’ teams that would partake in the oversight of the world-famous island.
“Hinihimok ko po ang DENR at ang bayan ng Malay na magbuo ng mga citizens’ teams upang maging katuwang sa pag-monitor at pangangalaga ng Boracay (I’m urging the DENR and the Malay town to form citizens’ teams that could help monitor and take care of Boracay),” the chair of the Senate Committee on Tourism said.
“Seryosong bagay ito. (This is something serious.) Boracay has been in an abusive relationship with humans. It’s about time for her to say, ‘Tama na (Enough)!’,” Binay said.
The solon said that the formation of long-term teams composed of members of peoples’, non-governmental and civic organizations, marine scientists, as well as other stakeholders could add value to the work of the task force assigned to clean up the island resort.
She said that among the tasks of the proposed citizens’ teams is to ensure that the highest environmental standards are followed and maintained in Boracay.
“They will help the DENR and the local government monitor and execute measures to prevent all kinds of pollution that impact the environment. They will also serve as the eyes and ears, and periodically check that the President’s list of things to do is done,” Binay said.
The lady lawmaker said that the group will also be part of the regular beach clean-up to keep the “bayanihan” spirit going, as well as manage the pollution in the island.
“Joining hands and working collectively is the most practical approach to be one step ahead in reclaiming Boracay’s pristine waters,” Binay said. (Jose Cielito Reganit/PNA)
