![Boracay Island Tropical Design](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Boracay-Island-Tropical-Design-696x465.jpg)
BORACAY – The local government of Malay, Aklan has created a committee to review plans and designs for structures on this famed island resort in a bid to ensure compliance with a standard “tropical design” and environmental regulations.
Mayor-elect Abram Sualog signed the Executive Order No. 10 dated March 19, 2019 that orders the creation of the Municipal Planning and Urban Design Guidelines Review Committee.
The body is mandated to review plans for the construction of new structures or renovations to be done on buildings in Boracay, as well as inspect the progress of developments to ensure that they follow the island’s “tropical design” rules.
It also has the power to decide whether proposals are to be issued development permits or denied due to non-compliance with government guidelines.
“The committee is mandated to show that the design is in alignment with our mission to make a new design brand in Boracay, which is tropical,” said Alfredo Orolfo, Deputy Ground Commander of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Task Force Boracay.
The tropical design guidelines for Boracay aim to ensure that new developments and renovations to be done on existing buildings are environment-friendly, promote sustainable architecture and reflect local culture.
The design guide aims to “enhance the image of Boracay as a tropical island paradise to showcase the local culture and products.”
It also emphasizes the use of wood, bamboo, “stone elements,” non-combustible thatched roofing, and earth-tone colors as exterior and interior paint for structures.
The guidelines also require the use of ancient script Baybayin as the main language for signages, with translations in English and other languages as needed.
It was issued few months after the reopening of the world-famous island in October.
Boaracay was shut down for six months last year for rehabilitation, after President Rodrigo Duterte sounded the alarm on environment degradation and overdevelopment on the island.
(With a report from DENR/PN)