Boracay controversy: Malay LGU slams media for 'misleading photos’

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Nine days after President Rodrigo Duterte tagged world-renowned Boracay Island as a "cesspool," the local government of Malay town in Aklan finally released its first official statement.

On February 19, Malay LGU on its website revealed that plans have been underway to address issues hounding the island.

But on top of shedding light to the actions that should be taken relative to Boracay's environmental woes, the Malay LGU has taken a swipe against mainstream media organizations for posting allegedly misleading photos.

"We do accept the constructive criticisms of our President and use it as the fundamental aspect of our improvements," the LGU statement reads.

"However, the online news scoops of GMA and ABS-CBN attached a photo of the seasonal algal bloom in Boracay Island in order to increase the magnitude of their articles and hook people into it — thinking that the waters of Boracay Island are entirely full of algae," it said.

Rowel Aguirre, executive assistant of Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling, said some media organizations have posted file photos depicting a "very dirty" Boracay. "That well in fact, the beach front would show that Boracay now is clean," he added.

Citing that the photo doesn't portray the current state of Boracay, the statement went on to "condemn the recycling of photos for the selling of their news. "These news institutions gain profit from their news that ultimately degrades the image of Boracay Island which is highly dependent on the Tourism Industry," it said.

The LGU, while insisting it is advocating for responsible journalism, claimed that the photos by two media companies were taken during the summer of the previous years.

"The photo in the article only shows glittering generalities as it does not present any concrete argument or analysis. The media is sensationalizing the algae phenomenon which ultimately hurts the industry of Boracay," the statement said.

The LGU then posted a photo taken at the beach front on Feb. 13, this year, with the statement: "We can expect that the algae season will still happen during the summer of this year — and we are prepared for another barrage of news claiming that Boracay is ‘dirty.’”

Aguirre said it took the LGU awhile to issue its official statement because it was still reviewing it. "We were very careful, so as not to aggravate the issues further," he said.

In its statement, it outlined that on January 9, 2018, the secretaries of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and of the Department of Tourism made an aerial inspection of Boracay Island, after which a closed-door meeting with the mayor and some of stakeholders.

"It was unanimously agreed that Boracay is in dire need of help as far as sustainable development is concerned," it added.

The Malay LGU said it "recognizes the existence of these problems and its responsibilities in order to uphold the environmental and social welfare of our beloved island."

As such, the Malay LGU signed a contract with Palafox Associates to formulate and implement the Malay Master Plan for Tourism. "The original plan is to integrate the Mainland Malay in the development of Boracay in order to decongest the island," Aguirre said.

The LGU said it also recognized that the President is not happy with what is happening in Boracay Island, "despite it being regarded as the Best Island in the World by the Conde Nast Traveler (2017); despite the constant effort of the Municipal Planning and Development Office to pursue and prosecute those who encroached to the 25+5 setback at the beachfront upon the enactment of its ordinance; the organization of Bolabog Task Force by the Office of the Municipal Mayor to rehabilitate and maintain the beauty of Bolabog Beach; despite the successful clearing of all wastes in the Boracay Central MRF within thirteen (13) days; and the strict implementation of the construction of STPs on establishments who sought permit to the Local Government Unit."

It also vowed to work closely with the national government agencies “in order to comply with the six-month ultimatum imposed by our President.” Aguirre said they also acknowledged that the aid of the national government to address this challenge is essential.

Further, the Municipal Government offers its full cooperation in the fulfillment of the rehabilitation of Boracay Island within six months and, within this week, the 6-month action plan to address the ultimatum will be made public.

Along with it is the convention of the Waste Water Management Council and the Bolabog Task Force which was created by the municipal mayor, prior to the President’s order to DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu, to rehabilitate Boracay. (FREEMAN)