BORACAY ISLAND – After the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) which spearheaded the initial phase of the rehabilitation activities for the island of Boracay, the task force has been renamed to Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group (BIARMG).
From a Ground Commander, it will now be led by a General Manager in the person of Forester Livino B. Duran who sits in concurrent capacity as Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Technical Services of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6.
ARD Duran’s assignment came on the heels of the rehabilitation activities in Boracay Island going into its tenth month. Formerly, the task force implemented rehabilitation and recovery activities in Key Result Areas (KRAs) as the basis of outputs.
The former BIATF has identified seven KRAs, namely: 1. Providing social safety nets through Training, Livelihood and Employment Assistance; 2. Ensuring the health and sanitation of Boracay Island; 3. Decongesting Boracay Island; 4. Easing traffic flow; 5. Enforcing the rule of law in Boracay Island; 6. Engaging the stakeholders and the public through an Effective Domestic and Global Communications Strategy; and 7. Boracay Action Plan.
In ensuring however, the efficient and effective management and interventions in the rehabilitation of Boracay Island, the Management Group is now pushing for thematic areas in implementing the crafted Boracay Action Plan (BAP). The BAP has four (4) Thematic Areas with corresponding group, namely: Theme 1: Enforcement of laws and regulations; Theme 2: Pollution Control and Prevention; Theme 3. Rehabilitation and Recovery of Ecosystems; Theme 4a: Putting in place reliable infrastructure; Theme 4b: Responsive social services along health, education and housing; and, Theme 4c: Sustainable economic activities including tourism and livelihood.
As chairman, the DENR has appointed a DENR-counterpart who will sit in each Thematic Group to consolidate a holistic report that shall serve as baseline data as well.
The first meeting of the group was done last February 8, 2019 at Casa Pilar, Boracay Island. The meeting was chaired by Regional Executive Director (RED) Francisco E. Milla, Jr. together with Assistant Secretary for Field Operations–Visayas, Marcial C. Amaro, Jr. and the newly installed General Manager for Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group Livino B. Duran.
RED Milla is happy to note that the implementation of programs in Boracay is on track. He is hoping that the community will cooperate and support the programs of DENR in promoting a sustainable and healthy environment.
DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu aims to provide clean water and a healthy environment for the Filipino people while also promoting sustainable world class tourism destinations which the Philippines is so gifted with./PN
