By Francis Allan L. Angelo
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday said the local government unit will handle the ongoing rehabilitation of Boracay Island as the inter-agency task force that manages the effort will be dissolved on June 30, 2022.
In a radio interview, Año said almost all rehabilitation projects on the island are already done except for some parts that were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rehabilitation efforts are overseen by the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force which was created in 2018 through Executive Order No. 53 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte before the six-month closure of the island resort to tourists.
In September 2021, Duterte issued EO 147 which extended BIATF’s term to June 30, 2022, his last day in office.
Duterte ordered the closure and rehabilitation of the island after describing it as a cesspool because of unbridled pollution and overcrowding.
“The existence of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force will expire on June 30 and this will be turned over to the LGU. So the LGU will lead the rehabilitation in Boracay,” Año said.
Boracay falls under the jurisdiction of the town of Malay in Aklan province.
Año said the national government may still take over the rehabilitation of Boracay if the next president issues an order forming a new task force under the new administration.
Boracay is considered the jewel of Philippine tourism, generating P49.861 billion in tourism income from 1,742,459 tourists, according to the Provincial Tourism Operations Office (PTOO) of Aklan.
On June 23, the Environmental Management Bureau in Region 6 will launch the Boracay Coffee Table Book “which features the rehabilitation efforts of the EMB Region 6, National Government, Local Government Unit of Aklan, private sectors and the civil society to hasten the improvement if not the total restoration of the condition of the island.”
The EMB said the book will be launched to serve as Information and Education Campaign (IEC) material and a documentary of efforts of Environmental Management Bureau Region 6 as well as to create a foundation of knowledge on environmental awareness.
“The book is an informative material for the public to be as concerned in maintaining a sound ecological balance, protecting biodiversity, and enhancing the quality of the environment,” it added.
The launch also coincides with the World Environment Day initiated by the United Nations to spread awareness about the threat to the environment due to rising pollution levels and climate change.
June also celebrates the Philippine Environment Month that focuses on the importance of different sectors working together to do sustainable actions for the environment as we note how conservation of nature plays a key role in combatting climate change, biodiversity loss, and even health risks. (With a report from GMA News Online)
