DILG: Boracay’s D’Mall may be closed

MANILA, Philippines — An Interior department official on Wednesday said Boracay’s commercial establishment D’Mall is on the verge of being closed down.

Department of Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing said this was because the commercial establishment was identified to have been built above wetlands, which is prohibited by environment laws.

According to Densing, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed an aerial view over the area, which proves that D’Mall is located in wetlands.

“DENR said that they can demolish and return the wetlands as it is,” Densing said on ANC’s "Headstart".

D’Mall, owned by the Elizalde Family, is one of the biggest commercial establishments in the tourist destination with shops and restaurants. Fred Elizalde was appointed a member of the Boracay Eminent Persons Group in 2005.

Sen. Cynthia Villar, chair of Senate committee on environment and natural resources, earlier said that five out of nine wetlands in Boracay are already damaged because they were occupied by a mall, hotel and illegal settlers.

"Wetlands play an important role in our environment. They are a natural flood deterrent and protection from storm surges. I have been a staunch advocate or wetland protection and conservation. The wetlands in Boracay have to be restored and preserved," Villar said last March.

Densing said the inter-agency panel would look into the registration of D’Mall to see if it has permits such as the environment compliant certificate and environmental impact assessment as well as a mayor’s permit.

Aside from D’Mall, Ayala-owned water utility Boracay Island Water Co also faces closure.

“They've already reached the maximum stage of their sewerage system,” Densing said.

Densing cited that Boracay Island Water is a big supplier of water on the island.

Its competitor, Boracay Tubi System Inc, owned by Lucio Tan, on the other hand, offered to rehabilitate the drainage system without cost to government.

Densing said Tan offered to donate a drainage system to the DENR three weeks ago.

Densing said he would propose a compliance audit for each establishment on the island, since some of them claim compliance but lack permits.

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