BORACAY... SHOULD IT BE CLOSED?!

For the last few days & weeks, I have been questioned about the status of Boracay Island after the statement made by President Rodrigo Duterte about Boracay becoming a cesspool. There were lots of questions… Is it true? Will Boracay be closed? Should we cancel our trip to Boracay? What is going to happen to the workers in Boracay Island?

Look at the pictures of Boracay, does it look like a cesspool? This is located at the West of Boracay and the water was tested by DENR to be safe for swimming. Why did the President mention cesspool in Boracay and why are there pictures of dirty water in Boracay?

Are you wondering what is true and fake? Well, those dirty water that you see in the pictures are true and they are located at the East of Boracay. The drainage system was not properly done that caused some problems and some irresponsible establishments are having problems with their sewage system but the fake news is the whole of Boracay Island is a cesspool! The whole of Boracay Island IS NOT a cesspool, only some part of it.

For your information, how can a cesspool Boracay be known as one of the best beaches in the world? In fact, Boracay Island topped in Condé Nast Traveler's 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards. The island also received numerous awards for the past few years from Leisure & Travel Magazine & Trip Advisor, to name a few. All these rating were not given by local but tourists from different countries. Would they rate us as one of the best beaches in the world if we are indeed a cesspool?

The President instructed Secretary of DENR to clean up the mess in Boracay for the next 6 months or else he will close Boracay. Did he instruct to close Boracay? He said clearly, fix the mess in 6 months and give him recommendation on the status of Boracay. There was no instructions that he will close Boracay after 6 months! Our President listen to the plight of Filipinos and he always consider the welfare, do you think he will close it and see the suffering of thousands of Filipinos?

Furthermore; Senate Chairman for Environment & Natural Resources; Senator Cynthia Villar came to Boracay and inspected the island. She mentioned that she will recommend to President not to close Boracay Island. Why punish those who compliant with the laws? All those establishments that violate the law should be punished. Those structures that build on no build zone should be demolished. Why punished those investors who invested millions and follow all regulations in the island?

Accordingly to some reports, there are 20,000 registered workers in Boracay Island. I strongly believe the numbers on people working in Boracay are more than the registered 20,000 workers. Have they consider if Boracay Island is close then what about people in Caticlan? Do we still need to operate the airport if Boracay Island is close? What about Kalibo Airport? Do we still need so many flights in Kalibo? Well, someone mentioned that all these workers are from other provinces and they can just simply go back to their province and look for another job. Do you think it is easy to find a job? Why do they have to work in Boracay Island if they can find work in their own province? What about Aklanos? Where are they going to work? Will the government be able to get them a job placement if they ever decide to close Boracay Island. What about those people in the island that rely on tourism, will they support them too?

In 2017, there were more than 2,100,000 tourists visited Boracay with a receipts income of Php56 Billion Peso. Are there any islands in the Philippines that can generate so many tourists and receipts for the country? Do they really want to push for closure of Boracay? Where are all the money made? There was a collection of Php75.00 of Environmental Fees collected upon entry to Boracay from Tourists and if we have 2,100,000 tourists visited in 2017 then it will be an amount of Php157,500,000.00. This amount can be used to rehabilitate Boracay, where did they spend the money?

The DENR is in serious tone with the mandated given by President to fix the island. They been going around to inspect establishments in Boracay to make sure they do compliant with the law and Notice of Closure were given to those who violate the law. There were some establishments given Notice of Demolition since they build structure on no build zone. As for Local Government Unit of Malay, they are also taking a serious tone with a 6 months plans that was shared with the stakeholders of Boracay. We wish them success and hopefully all these can be done before 6 months as mandated by the President.

Can you still visit and enjoy Boracay in the next few months? Of course you can but do expect some inconvenience in some places. There will be renovation and repair in some places, there will be some demolition of building for those who build on no build zone. This is perhaps one of the reason why the Secretary of DILG recommend a closure of Boracay for 2months but is it necessary? If proper planning is done, I don’t think it is necessary to close the island. We are not compromising and sacrificing the National Treasure of the Philippines if we don’t suggest to close but is it necessary?

The DOT & DILG suggested a closure of 60days, what are their plans? What are their proposal for the closure? As stakeholders, we don’t get to hear from them about their proposal on the closure. There is no consultation with stakeholders in Boracay. They said they need to repair the road then why don’t we use the sea as a mean of transportation? Before the One Entry One Exit Policy implemented in the Boracay, our mean of transportation was via boat to different Stations in Boracay and there was less traffic. We can go back to using boat while the road is being repaired, this will also lessen the traffic on the road.

I been living in Boracay for more than 10 years and there were so many developments. I am so glad that the National Government finally look into Boracay Island and make things right again but I hope whatever decision they made, they will always consider those who follow the law, consider the plight of Filipino in the island and alternate ways to rebuild Boracay again. Is time for us to Preserve What We Have & Restore What We Lost!