Sen. Nancy Binay seeks probe into Boracay degradation

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Nancy Binay yesterday pushed for a “zero-waste” tourism policy in Boracay and called for a Senate inquiry into the degradation of the world-famous resort island.

The Senate committees on environment and on tourism will jointly conduct an inquiry on March 2 to look into the worsening state of Boracay prompted by a resolution that Binay filed.

“The threats of inefficient waste management on the environment, especially on tourist destinations in the country, still persist,” Binay said in filing Senate Resolution No. 313.

“What happens now determines what will happen to the world. That is why it is imperative to conduct a multi-level inquiry on what is being implemented by the local government units for us to strengthen environmental laws in line with the current environmental conditions facing the country,” she added.

Binay also warned of an “impending ecocide” that may occur in Boracay if over-commercialization, pollution and other pressures are not mitigated.

“These are already recipes for ecological genocide, and it’s waiting to happen if we don’t act now,” she said.

She cited a study by the Coastal Ecosystem Conservation and Adaptive Management (CECAM) that shows the island’s coral reef ecosystem has been seriously degraded by tourism-related activities.

“Over-commercialization has compromised the island’s natural beauty,” she said.

She also cited a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) study done by Filipino and Japanese scientists that warned of “imminent loss” on the island.

Jim Sampulna, regional executive director of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6, said “overpopulation” is another cause of the environmental problems in Boracay. - Jennifer Rendon