Help sought for Bantayan master plan

CEBU, Philippines — The Provincial Board wants the Office of the Cabinet Secretary through the Performance and Projects Management Office to provide technical assistance in preparing the Bantayan Island Comprehensive or Integrated Development Master Plan.

The Board passed a resolution sponsored by Board Member Horacio Franco of the Fourth District requesting Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. through PPMO Executive Director, Undersecretary Gloria Jumamil, to send a qualified team to Cebu to conduct a thorough study and in-depth research on Bantayan Island.

Bantayan Island is located in the Visayan Sea and is made up of three municipalities – Santa Fe, Madridejos, and Bantayan. The island is known for its distinct natural resource, white sand beaches, marine products, as well as being an egg basket in the province.

Franco said the entire island is eyed for development to boost its eco-tourism potential but proper planning and in-depth study and research are needed to ensure that allocations will not be put to waste and projects will, indeed, uplift and promote economic growth, public convenience and the general welfare.

Resources from the national government and expertise of its people will ensure these goals are met.

“In short, the entire Bantayan Island needs right now of a Comprehensive or Integrated Development Master Plan as a vital guide for its needed development,” Franco said, adding, “the PPMO could be of great help in achieving this noble endeavor.”

Executive Order No. 99 signed by then President Benigno Aquino III on October 31, 2012 provides for the creation of the PPMO, which shall be primarily responsible for putting in place and driving a systematic approach to, and delivering results relative to the Performance and Projects Roadmap.

Among its functions is to coordinate with all concerned agencies and bureaus for the efficient management and timely implementation of the programs and targets under the Performance and Projects Roadmap.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu earlier ordered officials to inspect the seas off Bantayan Island and other tourist destinations to check and ensure that what happened to Boracay Island will not happen to these other areas.

Cimatu said owners of houses and buildings must maintain a sewage treatment plant so that anything that goes to the sea must be treated first.

Robert Lim Joseph, a tourism advocate and now a consultant of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, said during his visit in Cebu last week that the impending closure of Boracay Island is an eye-opener as resorts there reportedly did not follow rules and simply dumped waste to sea.

Joseph said the six-month closure has gained worldwide respect as the Philippine government is going for sustainable tourism.

“The lady secretary has balls and the courage to bring this up to the President because she knows a lot or problems on tourism,” Joseph said during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu. (FREEMAN)