Boracay folk on creation of Bida: Long overdue

CALMNESS Tourists have returned to a cleaner and more quiet Boracay after the resort island in Malay, Aklan, underwent a six-month rehabilitation in 2018. But Boracay these days has yet to see a surge in arrivals of foreign and local visitors due to travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — Business owners and residents of Boracay Island said the creation of a government body to oversee development in the world-famous tourist destination in Aklan province was “long overdue,” as they welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to Congress to prioritize the enactment of a law for the Boracay Island Development Authority (Bida).

“It’s long overdue and we hope this will be acted upon to help ensure the sustainable development of the island,” Elena Brugger, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Boracay, told the Inquirer on Tuesday.

Brugger said they supported the creation of an administrative body that will govern Boracay, instead of the island being under the sole jurisdiction of local governments.

“We need professionals to administer and regulate the island, our country’s prime tourist destination,” she said.

Sen. Franklin Drilon last year filed Senate Bill No. 17 mandating the creation of the Bida.

The PCCI provincial and regional chapters in Western and Central Visayas last year passed a resolution endorsing the passage of Drilon’s bill.At least three similar bills are pending in the House of Representatives, including one filed by Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr.

Regulatory, administrative

The Bida is intended to be a regulatory and administrative body that will formulate and implement plans and programs with powers to issue and revoke permits.

The President ordered the closure of the 1,032-hectare island to tourists for six months in April 2018 to undergo an environmental rehabilitation. The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force, through the Boracay Inter-Agency Management Group, supervised the rehabilitation of the island. The task force’s term ended in May this year but the President extended its mandate for another year due to unfinished projects and activities.

—Nestor P. Burgos Jr.