BORACAY – Some 200 activists belonging to the progressive group Bayan Muna held a caravan from Kalibo, Aklan against the total closure of Boracay Island.
They were, however, blocked by policemen at the Caticlan jetty port in Malay, Aklan – the jump-off point to the world-famous island resort.
The caravan was composed of vans, jeepneys, trucks, and motorcycles, among others. It reached the jetty port around 11:30 a.m. on April 19. Malay policemen led by Chief Inspector Ruel Firmo inspected them.
Boracay will be temporarily closed for six months beginning April 26. It will be rehabilitated.
Bayan Muna party-list’s Rep. Carlos Zarate spearheaded the caravan. He was allowed to proceed to Boracay.
Zarate described as arbitrary Boracay’s impending closure. The sentiments of the islanders and businesses there were not heard, he said.
The closure was decided “without due regard to the welfare and livelihood of thousands of residents of Boracay,” said Zarate.
He urged Boracaynons: “Kailangang lumabas ang boses ng ating mamamayan at dapat ipakita natin ang pagtutol sa closure ng Boracay Island kung saan libo-libong mga tao ang mawawalan ng trabaho.”
Zarate intended to confer with some Boracay residents.
He made it clear he was not against the rehabilitation of Boracay but said a total closure of the island would adversely affect the lives of people whose livelihoods are dependent on Boracay’s booming tourism industry.
“Mahigit 36,000 na manggagawa ang mawawalan ng trabaho at isa pa, libo-libong magsasaka at fishermen at suppliers ng karne, baboy, isda at handicrafts mula sa ibat-ibang lugar affected rin,” said Zarate.
President Rodrigo Duterte approved Boracay’s closure upon the recommendation of the departments of Environment, Tourism and Local Government.
In February, Duterte likened Boracay to a cesspool, citing the island’s wastewater problem.
According to Environment secretary Roy Cimatu, fuelling Boracay’s degradation over the years were runaway development, the influx of people beyond the island’s carrying capacity, poor implementation of environmental regulations, and encroachment of structures on wetlands and forest areas.
The Department of Trade and Industry earlier warned of the closure’s adverse effects on businesses and livelihood in Boracay and suggested that the closure be carried out in phases./PN
