What happened in Boracay can happen in Cebu, Bohol, etc.
One of the best moves of the Duterte administration last week (that detracted critics' focus on the "stupid God" figure of speech), was the announcement from the DILG of the charges filed against, among others, the Governor of Aklan, the provincial head of the DENR, the mayor and vice mayor of Malay, the three barangay captains in Boracay Island, lower DENR officers in the province and town, John Does and Jane Does. They are being held to account for their gross negligence leading to the Boracay crisis.
This is also a timely and strong warning to Bohol local government unit executives and DENR officials, Palawan, and of course, Cebu provincial, municipal, and DENR executives. In Cebu, for instance, the office of the governor and the municipal mayors of Moalboal and Badian, as well as Boljoon, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Bantayan, and other tourism areas, should have their hands on deck, and must be vigilant about the situation in Basdiot and Basdaku, Moalboal, and in Kawasan in Badian, and Badian Island as well as the burgeoning tourist establishments in Mactan Island. This is also true of Bohol, Camiguing, Palawan, and others.
This writer has seen with his own eyes the many questionable constructions along the public lands in the said tourist destinations, the lack of easements in the areas between the water and the private lands, the quality of sanitation, and the pollution situation, and the quality or the lack of quality in the grant of the LGU's building permits. There are also Labor law violations. There are some reports about drugs and prostitutions both male and female, foreign pedophiles and alien drug couriers. Authorities should move before I tell Secretary Bong Go to include these in the president's SONA.
Incidentally, there are aliens who are reportedly "owning" (contrary to the law) and controlling real estate and establishments. These aliens allegedly do not have valid work permits and immigration papers. They are tourists coming in and out and bringing in some prohibited drugs and AIDS. There are minors reported and indecent child labor activities in the area. There are rampant violations of labor standards and adequate safety. Health permits are not used properly. Before the next disaster strikes, before a repeat of the Boracay debacle happens, LGUs should move and rid themselves of all shenanigans and conflicts of interests.
I am calling on the Office of the Governor of each of the province named above, to organize a surprise joint inspection and raid to be composed of personnel from the offices of DENR, DOLE, DOH, and PDEA. This should be done in a surprise manner, so that they cannot whitewash the scenes before the raiding teams arrive. If this does not happen soon, I may go up to Malacañan.
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