Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc., one of the major property developers in the country, denied owning the areas in Boracay, Aklan where mountains were leveled and forests were cleared.
Vista Land said it does not own the areas featured in the viral images circulating on the internet showing deforested areas in Boracay, one of the country’s top tourist destinations.
The developer insisted that their projects have complied with government requirement in constructing six residential towers, private villas and a hotel in Barangay Yapak on the island’s northern edge.
“We wish to emphasize that we have complied with all applicable laws and regulations; and have obtained all requisite government permits and licenses, in connection with our development project in Boracay,” Vista Land said in a statement.
The real estate company also stressed that they have slowed down their development works and have reduced the number of equipment and workers as early as February.
“We wish to assure the public that we are fully supportive of the government’s efforts to rehabilitate Boracay,” the company said. /vvp