‘Win-Win Situation’ For Boracay Island
By Boy Ryan Zabal
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Lito Atienza wants a ‘win-win situation’ to sustain the tourism growth of the famous island of Boracay.
According to Atien-za, he is aware of the issues and insecurities of the stakeholders and investors on how to maintain the development and the beauty of the island for the benefit of all.
"I foresee the gains of tourism in the economy and nation building. Let us manage, develop and conserve properly our natural resources in coordination with local government officials," he appealed.
Atienza was in Boracay during the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN) meeting at the Boracay Regency Resort on August 6 to 8, 2007.
DENR, according to him, has acknowledged the island of Boracay as one of the prime jewels of the tourism industry.
"When we talked about resorts and beaches, Boracay Island is one of the major attractions in the world today. We want to do everything we can. DENR will always be behind in efforts to maintain the natural beauty of Boracay for the benefit of the country’s economy and the gains of the local residents," Atienza pointed out.
Atienza, a three-termer Manila mayor, will try to minimize the impact to the environment of those decades of negligence and to anticipate the problems to prevent the suffering of urban dwellers.
"I am a strong advocate of decentralization. All DENR programs under our leadership will always focus on local autonomy and the participation of local officials in whatever we plan and we do in those eco-tourism spots in Aklan," Atienza added.
Miraflores Supports Atienza’s Moratorium
As to Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores, he supports the six-month moratorium plan on the uncontrolled construction in Boracay Island of Secretary Lito Atienza of the DENR.
In consultation with the stakeholders, resort owners and business groups, Miraflores said the government should pursue a development plan to deal the overcrowding and unregulated construction of resorts.
"The fast-paced construction of buildings has brought unplanned development in the island. This is a long-time proposition, but it was Atienza who forcefully recommended the moratorium and asked the cooperation of resort owners," Miraflores said in an interview.
He clarified, however, that tourism players are still welcomed to invest and to develop the island as the national government is sincere in the formation of an environmental master development plan.
"We support this moratorium of DENR in coordination with the Aklan officials and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA). In Boracay, we could see construction of structures even in forest areas and residential houses in ‘no build zones’ that hinder the environmental protection," Miraflores stressed.
Atienza recently urged the resort owners in a consultation dialogue in the island to be collectively involved in solving the garbage problems, the shortage of water supply and the effects of migration.
"The negative impacts of unplanned development will eventually compromise the safety and welfare of the public. We must continue to work harmoniously and together. We must find ways to improve the conditions affecting the businesses in the island like having sufficient water supply and an improved garbage disposal," Atienza told the resort owners.
Atienza decided on this tack after seeing some mansions that were being built in forested areas on Boracay. "(I noticed that) mansions are being built on forested areas of Boracay Island. Who are these builders? Do they have proper land titles?" he asked.
He said the titling of islands "benefits only Don Juan instead of the ordinary Juan dela Cruz.""If we go around the country, a lot of our islands are already private properties. Why do we succeed in fencing off our stretches of white sand? There are so many thousands of lots that are already fenced off," he pointed out.
When asked to comment on the impending drought and global climate, Atienza bared the DENR is preparing programs that would really address the situation by getting everybody as part of the solution.
"We see this dilemma in a short-term, immediate and long-term basis which is why we have global climate change and drought," he added.
Atienza said the Boracay meeting is a preparatory to the 3rd Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-3) of the ASEAN Agreement on the Transboundary Haze Pollution, 10th Informal Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (IAMME) and 5th ASEAN Plus Three Environment Ministers Meeting (EMM) on September 3 to 7, 2007 at Phuket, Thailand to discuss the negative effects of environmental degradation.
Atienza also visited the multi-awarded Kalibo Bakhawan Eco-Park with Mayor Raymar Rebaldo and former Aklan solon and KASAMA chairman Allen Salas-Quimpo last August 6. /MP
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