Local gov’t closes down Boracay resort

West Cove resort on Boracay Island. LYN RILLON

ILOILO CITY—The local government of Malay in Aklan on Wednesday closed down the controversial Boracay West Cove resort for continuously operating without a business and other permits.

Municipal officials and personnel served the closure order at the resort in Barangay Balabag, one of the three villages on the island.

Last month, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu went to the resort and ordered the demolition of illegal structures, including those erected on top of rock formations.

The DENR has canceled a 25-year Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism Purposes (FLAgT)issued to the resort covering 998 square meters.

But resort owner Crisostomo Aquino has appealed the ruling at the Office of the President where it remains pending.

A FLAgT allows the temporary use, occupation and development of any forest land for tourism purposes for a period of 25 years renewable for another 25 years.

The agreement covers forest lands to be used for bathing, camp sites, ecotourism destinations, hotel sites and other tourism purposes.

In 2014, government agencies and the local government of Malay, which has jurisdiction over Boracay, demolished portions of the resort considered illegal but the resort went to the courts to stop the demolition.

Aquino has repeatedly denied the alleged violations alleging that he was being singled out./lb