EDITORIAL - Custodians of the national heritage

On the eve of the reopening of Boracay to tourism, the mayor of Malay town, which includes the island, was suspended for six months in connection with charges that he allowed the illegal operation of several businesses in the popular tourist destination.

The case against Mayor Ciceron Cawaling could crawl along for two decades before final judgment is rendered. In the meantime, however, his indictment for official acts or omissions, which have been blamed for turning Boracay into what President Duterte described as a “cesspool,” should be accompanied by efforts to encourage greater accountability of local officials in the development and maintenance of travel destinations.

In several areas, local government executives develop tourist sites, providing the necessary infrastructure such as roads and public utility access. But then they also fail in regulation, or deliberately ignore laws and rules to favor vested interests. In certain cases, local officials become the ones directly involved, through the private businesses of their families and cronies, in the anything-goes development of popular sites, to the point of causing serious environmental damage.

Local government efficiency cannot be limited to the collection of business and other fees in travel destinations. There must be transparency and accountability in the utilization of the funds. Part of the earnings from tourism and related commercial activities can be earmarked for the protection of the environment and man-made heritage attractions. Greater effort is needed to make the destinations sustainable.

With the devolution of powers, local government executives enjoy a great degree of independence. But there are carrots and sticks that the national government can use to encourage local officials to become better custodians of the national heritage. Local officials should not wait for those carrots and sticks, or to suffer the fate of Mayor Cawaling. They should do it without the need for any special prodding, as public servants who care for their constituencies and the country.