ILOILO CITY?The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has stepped in on the furor triggered by the implementation of a P1.35-billion reclamation and development project in Caticlan and on Boracay Island.

In a one-page memorandum dated Aug. 3, Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero directed DILG Regional Director Evelyn Trompeta to conduct a fact-finding investigation on the opposition of a group of business owners in Boracay and local government units.

Panadero directed Trompeta to submit the results of her investigation and recommendations by Aug. 6.

The investigation was prompted by a resolution of the Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) passed on June 26, a copy of which was sent to the DILG, expressing ?strong opposition? to the project being implemented by the Aklan provincial government.

BFI is a group of at least 200 owners of resorts, hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the popular island-resort.

The BFI expressed concern over the project?s possible impact on businesses and the environment in Boracay.

It also said the reclamation and development project?covering 36.82 hectares in Barangay Caticlan in Malay town and 3.18 ha in Boracay?is being implemented despite the opposition of affected communities and the lack of thorough consultation with the people.

Barangay Caticlan hosts a jetty port and airport that make it a jump-off point to Boracay.

Trompeta said in a phone interview on Wednesday that the DILG would investigate the validity of the allegations raised by BFI since the project is being implemented and opposed by separate local government units.

She said the DILG would also get the response of the provincial government.

The Aklan provincial government is implementing the first phase of the 10-year project, which would expand the Caticlan jetty port and lead to more commercial buildings.