De Lima seeks Senate probe into move to close Boracay

Sen. Leila De Lima
(File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquier)

Senator Leila De Lima called on the Senate on Saturday to investigate the government’s move to close the entire resort island of Boracay to determine if the six-month shutdown justifies the best solution to its sewerage problem.

“It is imperative for the Senate to conduct an investigation into whether the closure of Boracay Island was the most sound, rational and appropriate course of action to address the pressing economic, zoning, and environmental issues in the island, and whether better options are available to confront them,” she said in a statement.

In filing Senate Resolution No. 715, De Lima said “that despite the necessity to rehabilitate Boracay, [President Rodrigo] Duterte’s decision remains questionable.”

She added that the administration has “failed to present consistent and clear plan of action on how to go about the island’s rehabilitation.”

De Lima also maintained her stand that the government should have consulted the residents of the island prior to the closure.

Transparency and accountability should also be put in place during the island’s rehabilitation, the senator added. /jpv

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