BORACAY – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Roy Cimatu expressed a firm stance on the suggested six-month closure of this famed tourist destination.
This amid the opposition from various stakeholders – residents, businesspeople and tourists.
Cimatu said the recommendation is pending action at the President’s office. It is expected to be discussed on an April 5 Cabinet meeting, he added.
Cimatu on Monday met with local officials of Malay, Aklan – where Boracay is located – and provincial government representatives.
He also met with representatives from two local water utilities, the Boracay Island Water Company and the Boracay Tubi, and other agencies concerned in cleaning up the island.
The DENR head said the closure could be shortened depending on the actions taken by stakeholders and government agencies.
The inter-agency group tasked to restore Boracay, which is composed of the DENR, the Department of Tourism and the Department of Interior and Local Government, has recommended for a six-month island closure starting April 26 due to “recent developments,” a letter dated March 22 stated.
It earlier recommended shutting Boracay down for a year.
“We are one in saying that we will do our best to comply with the six months, or if we can make it earlier then much better,” Cimatu stressed. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
