Three government agencies recommended a total closure of the world’s premier island resort destination in the Philippines and will be carried out a month after President Duterte declares a state of calamity in Boracay.
Submitted by DENR, DOT, and DILG, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu, Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo, and Interior and Local Government Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Año, respectively, endorsed the “closure of the Boracay Island as tourist destination for a maximum of one year effective one month after its declaration,”Cimatu said.
This was recommended in response to the worsening condition of the resort island and “to restore and eventually sustain Boracay Island as a prime tourism destination.”
Proposed Measures
- Upgrading of the sewerage system, including the sewer lines, to meet the requirement of the entire island as a major tourist destination;
- Installation of all required solid waste management facilities and mechanisms in addition to full compliance with the provisions of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act;
- Removal of illegal structures in forestlands and wetlands, easement areas and even geologically hazardous areas such as those with sink holes;
- Road widening/construction, pipe laying and excavations; and
- Rationalization of transport system.
“We are recommending to the President the declaration of the State of Calamity and then after a month, declaration of the closure of Boracay,” said Año.