BORACAY – A recent incident at the newly rehabilitated white-sand beach of this world-renowned island resort resulted in netizens calling local children “dugyot,” which roughly translates to “filthy” or “messy.”
This did not sit well with several councilors of the municipality of Malay, Aklan, the local government with jurisdiction over Boracay.
The term has recently become a buzzword on social media after a pollution control officer stopped some island children from playing ultimate frisbee at the beach.
Local children consider Boracay beaches their playground where they play various water and beach sports, including ultimate frisbee, volleyball and soccer, said Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Maylynn Aguirre-Graf.
“Why stop them from playing at the beaches? We have to encourage them to play,” Graf said.
“Hindi naman siguro marurumihan o mapo-pollute ang ating mga buhangin dahil sa pawis ng mga batang naglalaro,” she said in jest during a regular session on Tuesday.
“Itong mga batang Boracay ay nagdala ng tagumpay sa Pilipinas, tulad ni Christian Tio sa kiteboarding sa Youth Olympics Games sa Argentina.
“Nakakagulat naman na tawaging dugyot ang mga batang naglalaro sa mga beaches ng Boracay,” Graf added.
SB member Dalidig Sumndad tried to relate himself to the children – he said he was among Philippine representatives who have won medals in beach ultimate frisbee world championships.
“Tawaging kaming mga dugyot, hindi naman siguro tama,” Sumndad said.
“Hindi nila kilala ang mga world-class athletes ng Boracay at hindi alam ang nagawa ng mga batang Boracay tulad namin na nagdala ng medalya sa larangan ng sports,” he added.
Getting called dugyot was a “sad reality” for Boracay children, said Acting Vice Mayor Natalie Cawaling-Paderes.
Paderes hopes Acting Mayor Abram Sualog brings the issue to the attention of the Boracay Interagency Task Force and help find an area at the beaches where children could play undisturbed. (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
