Tourism Secretary Assumes Boracay Administrative & Control

Effective immediately, January 18, 2008, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano shall exercise the functions of the Philippine Tourism Auhtority (PTA) to administer and control Boracay Island as tourist zone.

All Building Permits, under Letter of Instruction No. 1298, are suspended for any structure for any structure in Boracay. The Mayor of Malay, Aklan are instructed to suspend the issuance of Building Permits for any structure unless approved by the Philippine Tourism Authority and the Provincial Governor of Aklan as chairman of the Aklan Provincial Tourism Development Task Force.

These above instructions are mandated in Executive Order No. 706 issued by Malacañang, signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita and Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The Executive Order is effective on January 18, 2008. /MP