MANILA, Philippines — A few weeks after some tourism hubs in El Nido, Palawan were closed, an interagency task force to rehabilitate Boracay is targeting to close all tourism-oriented establishments that are non-compliant with environmental laws in Panglao, Bohol.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat yesterday said the interagency task force is set to meet on Tuesday with Panglao Mayor Leonila Montero and tourism stakeholders to raise their concerns in Panglao.
The meeting will be held at noon before President Duterte inaugurates the Panglao Bohol Airport on Nov. 27.
Puyat said they have received complaints against tourism stakeholders in the area that allegedly violated local ordinances and national laws on environment, prompting the Department of Tourism (DOT) to respond.
The DOT is a member of the interagency task force that includes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“If you are stakeholders in Panglao, I beg you, please start policing yourselves. Why would you wait for us to tell you to follow the law?” Puyat told members of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP).
She was the guest speaker during the annual general meeting of the TCP in Pasay City.
TCP president Jojo Clemente said they welcome the pronouncements of Puyat.
“We welcome her statements that only non-compliant with local ordinances and national laws will be closed down. To us, it is a positive development on our part and shows significant partnership with the DOT,” Clemente said.
But he said he hopes that the interagency task force and tourism stakeholders have learned their lessons from what happened in Boracay when it was totally closed for rehabilitation in April this year.
The DOT recently closed down more than 20 tourism-oriented establishments in El Nido, Palawan for violating local ordinances and national and environmental laws.
Puyat said they are now rehabilitating El Nido to ensure that all environmental laws and local ordinances are followed.
She said they will meet with El Nido Mayor Nieves Rosento and tourism stakeholders on Nov. 28.
After El Nido and Panglao, Puyat said they have started evaluating situations in Coron, Siargao, La Union, Baguio and Puerto Galera to ensure sustainable tourism development.