Duterte extends term of Boracay task force until June 2022

The sunset of Boracay Island. (Photo courtesy of Jack Jarilla)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the term of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) that is in charge of the island’s rehabilitation until June 2022.

The President signed Tuesday Executive Order No. 147 extending BIATF’s term until June 30 next year.

The extension of the BIATF’s term is to “ensure completion of the remaining milestones of the Boracay Action Plan until 2022.”

Earlier, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu sought an extension of the task force’s term citing the impending passage of the Boracay Island Development Authority (Bida) in Congress.

Cimatu also sits as chairman of the BIATF.

Bida is eyed to replace the BIATF as a permanent body to ensure sustainable development in Boracay would continue.

The BIATF was formed to supervise Boracay’s rehabilitation in 2018. Its term was supposed to end in May 2020 but Duterte extended it for another year or until May 2021.

KGA