Duterte OKs P25-B Boracay rehab action plan

File photo shows tourists arriving at the Philippine island of Boracay on October 26, 2018. The Philippines re-opens its crown jewel resort island Boracay to holidaymakers on October 26, 2018 after a six-month clean up aimed at repairing the damage inflicted by years of unrestrained mass tourism.
AFP/Noel Celis, File

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the P25-billion Boracay Medium-Term Action Plan, which will install safeguards against ecological degradation while also sustaining tourism in the island.

Duterte approved the plan “which will sustain the efforts of the government after the closure” during the 39th Cabinet meeting Monday night, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Tuesday.

The action plan has four components

  • Enforcement of laws on regulation of visitors and hotel accommodations
  • Pollution control and prevention through sewerage infrastructure, and solid and liquid waste management
  • Rehabilitation and recovery of ecosystems, and sustainability of activities in the island through improvement of roads and public health infrastructure
  • and construction of permanent housing program for indigenous people and education facilities

The National Economic and Development Authority earlier said the action plan would be implemented until 2022.

Calling Boracay a “cesspool,” Duterte ordered the closure of the island famous for its white sand beaches for six months from April 2018 to make way for rehabilitation works.

The resort island reopened in October last year with a slew of new restrictions. — Gaea Katreena Cabico

 

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