BORACAY – “Stop muna ang constructions ng mga buildings sa Boracay Island.”
Richard Favila, head of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in this famed island resort, stressed this following the creation of an “enhanced” inter-agency task force assigned to “reverse” the environmental condition in Boracay.
The task force was formed through President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) 53 dated May 8.
“Bawal ang construction ng mga buildings. Paano natin maayos ang isla kung may construction pa dito ng mga buildings?” Favila stressed.
The EO also directed concerned national agencies and the Malay local government to stop the issuance of building permits and other related licenses in the island.
“Walang magpapatuloy ng mga construction ng mga buildings as long as may moratorium tayo. Suspendido rin ang issuance ng permits at licenses sa mga bagong buildings,” Favila added.
Favila’s statement came amid the issue on alleged mountain-leveling and tree-clearing activities in Barangay Yapak, where the Costa Vista development project’s site is located.
The project is by Sen. Cynthia Villar’s family. Villar is the chairwoman of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources.
On Friday, Villar said the project “has long been stopped.” She added that her “duty to [the] nation is primary, above and separate from my family’s business interests.”
“As a public servant and chairperson of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, I remain committed to protecting and preserving our natural riches, especially in the efforts to rehabilitate Boracay and restore it to its pristine condition,” Villar said.
The new Boracay task force, which is chaired by Environment secretary Roy Cimau, is also mandated to review and consolidate medium-term master plans in Boracay.
It must also formulate an action plan to rehabilitate and preserve the island’s biodiversity and ensure its sustainable development. (With a report from Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
