MALAY, Aklan – Members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) have differing takes on the proposed increase of the environmental fee for tourists in the world-famous Boracay Island.
SB member Maylynn Aguirre-Graf is proposing to increase the fee from P75 to P500, as agreed upon by stakeholders and other local officials in the town.
Aguirre-Graf wants the fee hike implemented when Boracay re-opens on Oct. 26.
“The proposed increase of environmental fee will also have positive impacts to our economy by creating more job and livelihood opportunities for locals,” she added.
Aguirre-Graf also proposed for the distribution of eco-friendly bags using katsa materials among tourists.
“Kasama sa katsa bags na may logo ng Malay, Aklan ay mga ‘do’s and don’ts’ sa Boracay,” she said. “Tourists should be responsible also of Boracay’s environment.”
Aguirre-Graf added, “Marami tayong kailangang ayusin sa environment [using the fee]. Matutulungan pa natin ang mga locals kung sila mismo ang gagawa ng eco-bags.”
But SB member Jupiter Aelred Gallenero said the increase of environmental fee is untimely.
“Hindi tayo nasa timing. If we increase the fee and then we have a complaint, hindi yata maganda,” Gallenero stressed, citing the ongoing rehabilitation in the island. “Dapat tapusin muna natin ang mga problema natin sa environment sa Boracay.”
SB member Lloyd Maming made the same point, saying, “Local officials should instead focus on how to help to fast-track the rehabilitation works in Boracay Island.”
Meanwhile, SB member Floribar Bautista urged Aguirre-Graf to file her proposed amendments to the existing municipal ordinance covering the environment fee implementation.
“Let the committees decide and discuss the proposed amendments,” Bautista said.
Aside from the environment fee hike, Aguirre-Graf is also proposing to ban the sale and use of plastic bottles in Boracay.
Last month, Interior and Local Government undersecretary Epimaco Densing III filed graft and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against 17 Aklan government officials over Boracay’s environmental problem.
Among the accused were Aguirre-Graf, Gallenero, Bautista, and Maming together with Gov. Florencio Miraflores, Malay mayor Ciceron Cawaling, Malay vice mayor Abram Sualog, SB members Natalie Cawaling-Paderes, Dalidig Sumandad, Danilo Delos Santos, and Dante Pagsuguiron, Licensing Officer III Jen Salsona, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Valentin Talabero, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Edgardo Sancho, and barangay officials Hector Casidsid, Chona Gabay and Lilibeth Sacapaño. (With a report from Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
