DENR urged to declare Boracay’s bat sanctuary as critical habitat

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

A group advocating for the protection of endangered fruit bats has called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to declare the forest ridge in Barangay Yapak, Boracay Island, as a critical habitat.

Friends of the Flying Foxes Boracay (FFF) recently wrote to the DENR regarding recent excavations in the forest ridge, which is home to three species of large fruit bats: the common island flying fox, the large flying fox, and the golden-crowned flying fox.

The golden-crowned flying fox, which is endemic to the country, has been categorized as an endangered species under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

“This is the forest roost site of our worldwide endangered fruit bats of Boracay that’s been a topic several times in the last 29 years, and the reason we have our unique pristine limestone beach forest that makes Boracay Island unique,” said FFF president Julia Lervik.

Lervik noted that excavations have been occurring in the area since 2006, with new developers attempting to build in the prime and protected location.

Despite its protected status, these attempts continue, and Lervik said, “Each new property owner should know that they can’t build here.”

“Each new property owner should know that they can’t build here. As the properties are titled, we have had meetings to clear this as the RA still has a stronger claim to protect the forest than the titles,” she added.

With repeated attempts to claim the area, the FFF has called on the DENR to officially declare the forest as a critical habitat to prevent future developments.

“Puka Shell Beach and its forest ridges are the last pristine forests, and the beautiful beach is crystal clear due to this. It is the amazing nature of our island that brings the tourists back to Boracay year after year, and we hope that the closure in 2018 is not in vain, and it is in all our interests to make sure we preserve it,” she emphasized.

Several trees were cut, and some areas of the forest were bulldozed, with the incidents also brought to the attention of the DENR in April 2023.

According to the FFF, the new bulldozing incident at Puka Shell Beach is being undertaken by the Golden TW Realty and Development Corporation, a company owned by Chinese national Zibin “Derek” Liang.

Liang was granted Filipino citizenship in September 2021, and his company owns various properties in Tagaytay and Boracay.

The FFF reported that the destruction of the forest has resulted in an 86 percent decline in the population of roosting fruit bats since June 2017. Currently, only 45 individuals remain.

During the island’s 2018 closure, small businesses were forced to comply with environmental regulations such as the 25+5 or 30-meter beach easement ordinance, but the FFF stressed that large companies continue to encroach on protected areas.

“Boracay was closed for environmental reasons in 2018, and for the same reason, agreements and statements were made to preserve what we have. The DENR promised ‘it will establish the roosting and feeding areas of Boracay bats, including the critically endangered golden-crowned flying fox, as a critical habitat,’ it said.

The FFF also pointed out that the main roost site for common island flying foxes at Balinghai Beach is being disturbed by island-hopping boats playing loud music and anchoring on corals.

The beach is currently the main roost site of the said bat species and a maternal and roosting site. There are only 28 common island flying foxes on the island, according to the FFF.

The FFF emphasized that the fruit bats needed a 200-meter buffer zone from their roosting site so human activity and loud noises would not disturb their sleeping and mating patterns.

“We need your fast and efficient help toward establishing the protected areas, as properties keep changing owners, and until such time a protection is made, we will be facing the same issues repeatedly,” the FFF emphasized.