Boracay traders to Duterte: Close only establishments violating laws

These boys take a dip amid algal blooms in the hazardous waters off Boracay in this photo taken in March 2017. According to researchers, the green algae feeds on human waste coming from nearby establishments. (Photo by JILSON SECKLER TIU / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

ILOILO CITY — A group of business owners on Boracay Island called on the national government to close down only those establishments that violated laws and regulations but not the entire island, saying that President Rodrigo Duterte had been given wrong information about popular tourist destination.

In a statement released on Monday evening after an emergency meeting, the Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) also called on its members to “strictly comply and follow the necessary policies to be implemented” as it committed to work with government agencies in addressing the problems of the island.

“We… welcome the six month ultimatum given by the President to the agencies and departments concerned to address the issues of Boracay,” said the BFI, which has about 150 member establishments, in its statement.

The group said it had long been appealing for attention from the national government as the country’s premier tourist destination that generated P56 billion in tourist revenues last year and providing thousands of jobs.

“We have continuously expressed our frustration and dismay over the lack of attention given by the national government and other offices concerned to the island of Boracay,” the BFI said. “Now that Malacañang is keen on fixing Boracay, we are hopeful that Boracay’s issues may finally be addressed as agencies and departments concerned will be pressured to urgently fix the island’s problems.”

But it said it was “deeply alarmed” with the President’s statement that he would “close down” the 1,032-hectare island.

“We believe this statement stems from misinformation and unverified data presented to the President,” the group said. “While indeed there are many violators, most of the island’s business establishments are strictly in compliance with prevailing ordinances and regulations.”

It said it was “unjust to close the entire island at the expense of the compliant establishments.”

In a speech at a business forum in Davao City on Friday, Feb. 9, the President threatened to order the closure of the island if the problems of Boracay would not be solved in six months.

“I will close Boracay. Boracay is a cesspool,” the President said.

Instead of closing the island, environmental laws and local ordinances should be strictly implemented and all erring establishments should be immediately closed, according to the BFI.

“To close the island would be an easy way out and too much to bear for the residents who depend on the island’s tourism for their livelihood,” the business operators said.

It stressed that restoring the island cannot be done overnight and on its own.

“We need everyone to set aside their personal interests and together make this happen for the future generations,” the BFI said. /atm