DOT suspends accreditation of erring Boracay resorts

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) will impose a six-month moratorium on the accreditation of establishments in three barangays in Boracay, in line with its initiatives to clean the world-famous island.

“To prevent continued harmful disposal of wastewater into the seas surrounding the island’s three barangays (Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapac), the DOT is imposing a six-month moratorium on accreditation during which resorts and other establishments must acquire and maintain individual water treatment facility, as well as connect to the centralized sewerage system,” the DOT said.

The DOT, along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), is determined to press appropriate criminal and administrative charges against those establishments/operators responsible for the seawater contamination in violation of environmental and tourism laws.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo earlier pushed for legislation to protect Boracay and other natural tourist spots in the country.

“If enacted and implemented, a tourism heritage law will be more effective in ensuring the preservation and protection not only of Boracay Island and its seawater but all of the country’s natural tourist destinations,” Teo said.

Teo, who heads a multi-agency program called “Oplan Save Boracay,” said a delegation of senators will take a look at the actual situation in Boracay as part of the Senate inquiry in aid of legislation.

Findings of a joint field inspection of Boracay by Teo and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu recently prompted a congressional inquiry on the island’s condition, as well as a strong directive from President Duterte to implement preventive measures.

Over 60 establishments, including five-star resorts, have been reportedly dumping untreated sewage water into the seas off barangays Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapac that comprise Boracay island, municipality of Malay, Aklan.

Local officials have been blamed for the perennial problems of water pollution, lack of garbage disposal, violations of the building prohibition within 30 meters from shoreline.

Teo said the DOT, DENR, DILG, Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are crafting a joint administrative order to immediately address Boracay’s problems.

For its part, the DENR has embarked on Oplan: Regain Paradise, which aims to rehabilitate the damaged ecosystem of Boracay and conserve its natural and tourism values for future generations.

In addition, DILG officer-in-charge Eduardo Año said the agency would ensure that those responsible for what happened to Boracay will be meted appropriate sanctions to avert a recurrence.

Despite the ongoing cleanup of Boracay, DOT Western Visayas Regional Director Helen Catalbas reported earlier this week that tourism activity in the island remains strong.

Cimatu said the demolition of illegal structures in Boracay had started over the weekend.

The management of Boracay West Cove hired workers last Saturday to demolish a viewing deck that the resort illegally constructed on a natural rock formation.

Earlier, Cimatu visited the area and told resort owner Crisostomo Aquino that the structure is illegal and had to be removed.

The official said the 120-square meter viewing deck, which stands on natural rock, was not covered by the Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism Purposes (FLAg-T) secured by the resort. “The resort’s FLAg-T only covers 998 square meters in Sitio Diniwid in Barangay Balabag, and it does not include the viewing deck.”

The DENR had deployed teams to inspect illegal structures constructed in barangays Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak. – With Rhodina Villanueva