Parts of Boracay resort torn down for encroaching on beach

Workers tear down parts of a building of the Boracay Plaza Resort for encroaching the beach easement. (Photo courtesy of Katawhayan Boracay / Metro Boracay Police Task Force)

ILOILO CITY — Parts of a resort on Boracay Island allegedly encroaching on the beach easement were demolished on Tuesday after a 15-day ultimatum issued by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu had lapsed.

Workers supervised by the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force tore down parts of a building of the Boracay Plaza Resort fronting the island’s long beach.

Acting Malay Mayor Abram Sualog told the INQUIRER that the structure was the only one remaining out of 10 resorts and hotels along the long beach that were violating the 30-meter beach easement.

The owners of the other establishments had demolished the structures that encroached the easement, according to Sualog.

The INQUIRER earlier sought comment from the owner of the Boracay Plaza Resort, but the business operator declined to issue any statement.

The easement, measured from the mean high water line, has been strictly enforced as part of the rehabilitation of the island.

The boundary of the easement has been a contentious issue as many property owners and residents especially those on the island for generations have argued that they were allowed to build properties based on the easement defined by government agencies.

Sualog said the local government will issue next week notices of demolition to owners of more than 10 properties that are also not compliant with the beach easement along Bulabog Beach at the opposite side of the island parallel to the long beach.

Boracay Island, the countries premier tourist destination, was closed down to tourists for six months from April 26 to Oct. 25, 2018, to undergo rehabilitation due to environmental problems brought by decades of unregulated tourism and construction activities. /atm