EDITORIAL

Restore, Improve, Maintain Forever

 The Splendor of Boracay

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

Dr. Eva G. Guanzon, Research Coordinator, NVC in a recent interview said, “Boracay in the 1980’s was much more fascinating and attractive to tourists than it is now. In those days, cottages and inns were only lighted by kerosene lamps. The island was so serene, no sound except gentle lapping of waves on the seashore.”

“We witnessed for the first time a tree lighted by phosphorescent bulb of a thousand fireflies. Dawn and dusk were greeted by spectacular waves of flying fruit bats or flying foxes that inhabited the caves, crannies and wooded ravines. Pollution was relatively unknown then and tourists mostly caucasians preferred the most inaccessible beach resort to themselves. Boracay in those days was gorgeous family experience and affordable than it is now”, confided the lady educator from Bacolod City.

Dr. Miguel Cortes, professor, UP Marine Science disclosed that “Boracay developers have chosen the path of ruin by excessive emphasis on external growth rather than internal development. Focusing more on human values formation rather than luxuries could be environmentally sound and sustainable. What propels people to such extreme could only be labeled as greed”, wrote Dr. Cortes in an article about Boracay degradation published in the Philippine Star on August 11, 2012 issue.

Undoubtedly, a coastal reef of 1,032 hectares could have its critical tipping point of man-made structures and population growth. As former Team Leader of the Comprehensive Town Planning of Malay in 1982, our team strongly recommended to LGU Malay headed by then Mayor Juanito Sacapaño that permanent infrastructures like hotel, residential and commercial buildings be constructed in Caticlan and its environs rather than in Boracay. The overriding concern is to protect Boracay’s fragile exotic natural beauty of stunning beaches, rich marine fauna and flora. The legal basis of the plan was the directive of the Ministry of Human Settlements that “all municipalities develops and implements a 5-year Comprehensive Town Plan.

Public hearing on the draft Comprehensive Town Plan attended by Aklan Vice Governor Ben Hur Mobo, LGU (Malay) officials and stakeholders showed reticence to regulate infra development in Boracay particularly on temporary/native structures. In addition there was vehement refusal to transfer the seat of government from the present Poblacion to Brgy. Caticlan. Obviously, what they found unacceptable in the Plan was the concentration of big ticket projects like airport and seaport development in Caticlan and Sambiray respectively. The Land Use Plan in the proposed built-up area of Caticlan specifically delineated residential, commercial, industrial and institutional areas, that was skewed planning in favor of Caticlanons. 

Ben Hur Mobo was the chief, provincial development staff with foreign assistance from NEDA and USAID.

The present situation today attests to the validity of MOBO’s nobler vision for the residents of Malay. The present Poblacion of Malay has progressed at a snail pace due to inherent weakness of its geographic location. The minuscule built-up area is hemmed in by Sulu sea to the North and West, steep rocky hill – South and Malay river – East. 

On the other hand, Caticlan has sprawling open area and serves as jump off point to Boracay, Tablas, Carabao Island, and Sibuyan. Caticlan is now the epicenter of commercial and residential growth spurred by tourism and transportation Roll On Roll Off and interisland shipping. It is painful to think that despite the Aklan PDS plea for rational thinking, recommendations particularly on tourism development fell into deaf ears. Much has changed 30 years after the proposal was presented. Now, the positive and negative effects of unplanned development of Malay are unfolding. Congestion, pollution and drainage are afflicting both tourists and residents of Caticlan and Boracay Island.

Cutting down trees and bulldozing hills for a golf course and justified it with the thought that natural beauty is more enhanced. This is the height of hypocrisy. Even keeping manicured turf green with recycled water exerts tremendous pressure on physical, chemical and biological structure of soil. Fortuitous events like La Niña and typhoons can disrupt and destroy the human engineered masterpiece anytime. Big time developers flagrantly violate the Environmental and Building Codes as reflected in 150 residential and beach resorts cited by DENR. 

Indeed it takes world class governance to manage world class tourists destination. No one has yet come up with purposive capability building program for local chief executives, Tourism Officers and NGO representatives for long term tourism development. It is now time to have meaningful action to restore, maintain, and improve further the splendor of Boracay for any man and woman to enjoy forever. /MP