Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza yesterday reminded Malay, Aklan Mayor Cicero Cawaling to implement the moratorium on further construction in Boracay.

In August last year, Atienza called for a six-month moratorium on all construction in Boracay amid issues of overcrowding on the resort island, which was taxing its resources and utilities.

Atienza warned that the local government could be held liable for “negligence” in protecting the world-famous island resort.

Atienza said he has received reports that construction of big houses, inns and resorts on the island continues even months after he “admonished” the municipal council to pass a resolution for the total moratorium on all construction in Boracay.

“We (have) advised them (many) months ago to stop all development projects on the island before the studies that are being made by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are completed. But it seems that construction there continues,” Atienza said.

“We will remind Mayor Cawaling again to check the laws: the responsibilities of the local government,  (its) constitutional mandate, and the Local Government Code. The local government units (LGUs) are responsible for the proper development of each community,” he said. 

The DENR chief insisted that the Malay municipal government would be held accountable to its people “if they persist in not implementing what is correct and mandated by law.”

During a meeting with Boracay resort owners at the sidelines of the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN) summit on the resort island, Atienza also ordered the preparation of an “environmental master development plan” to address the alarm raised by resort owners on the uncontrolled development and migration in the popular tourist destination.

Atienza said total stoppage of all construction on the island is imperative to enable government to introduce a development plan, which will be drawn up by the DENR with consultations from stakeholders like experts, resort owners, residents, and non-government organizations involved in the area.

He stressed that the DENR’s action will be in coordination with the local government of Aklan and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), which is involved in the management and development of the tropical island paradise.

But a few days later, Malay Vice Mayor John Yap confirmed reports that construction in Boracay continues, as he admitted that the municipal government has yet to issue any resolution calling for a moratorium on all construction on the island because the DENR has not formally “communicated” to them a “request” for such a moratorium.

Yap claimed that the letter from the DENR addressed to the municipal government of Malay is important since it would serve as “the basis for the resolution.”

Atienza, however, refuted Yap, emphasizing that local officials of Malay, Aklan have the responsibility to protect their environment.

“The LGU’s responsibility is to urgently act on concerns raised by their constituents,” he said.

Dr. Orlando Sacay, former chairman of the Boracay Foundation Inc., said the water and sewer system on the island has reached its limit because of uncontrolled development and migration.

Sacay claimed that local residents are consuming half of the water available, limiting water for tourists.

Some 200 miles southwest of Manila, Boracay is recognized as having one of the finest beaches in the world.

The powder-fine, white sandy shores and clear blue water of the 9.67-square-kilometer Boracay is host to thousands of visitors each year, apart from being home to at least 12,000 people living in its three barangays.

The island has around 300 business establishments like resort-hotels, bars and restaurants. – Katherine Adraneda 

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