Monitoring to be more stringent than before
Even if the government is already set to formally reopen Boracay Island from a sixmonth rehabilitation, things will no longer be the same for the worldfamous island destination. From now on, the island will always be a subject of intense scrutiny.
“We will be monitoring a lot of things, from managing the entrance, exit, and stay of the tourists, to enforcing rule of law on establishments that have been found to be non-compliant to laws and regulations,” Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said.
The former military chief said the government would strictly enforce the “no compliance, no operation” policy for establishments not only during the dry-run but beyond Boracay’s formal reopening on October 26.
This, as Cimatu admitted that despite visible improvements, a lot more needs to be done to completely rehabilitate and ensure the sustainability of the island.
Cimatu said that while the resort island is “no longer a cesspool,” there is no reason for government and other stakeholders to be complacent.
“This is not the time for us to relax and lower our guards,” Cimatu said on the first day of the 11-day dry run for the much-awaited reopening of Boracay later this month.
Cimatu, who heads the inter-agency task force in charge of Boracay’s rehabilitation, cited on Wednesday the ongoing road and drainage improvement projects, which were delayed due to typhoons.
The environment chief said that all projects will continue even after Boracay’s soft opening slated for October 26.
“Rehabilitation will continue after October 26. We are just in Phase 1,” Cimatu pointed out.
Famous for its powdery white sand, pristine blue waters and amazing sunsets, Boracay has been named several times as one of the best beaches in the world.
But on April 26, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Presidential Proclamation No. 475 ordering the closure of Boracay to tourists for six months to pave the way for its rehabilitation from environmental damage caused by overdevelopment.
Since the closure, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR) Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) said there has already been a visible improvement in the quality of water surrounding the island, with coliform level now down to 18.1 MPN/100 mL from thousands or even millions.
The standard coliform level is 100 most probable number per 100 milliliters of sample.
Moving forward, EMB will continue to check the quality of water discharged from sewage treatment plants (STPs) on the island, while solid waste disposal will also be looked into in order to make sure Boracay’s garbage are “immediately moved out and not remain on the island for more than 24 hours.”
The DENR will only issue environmental compliance certificate (ECC) to businesses with own STPs or connected to a provider, and those not within forestlands or wetlands.
Cimatu said that tourist arrival of 6,405 persons per day will also be strictly followed, while a total of 1,000 rooms from
We will be monitoring a lot of things, from managing the entrance, exit, and stay of the tourists, to enforcing rule of law on establishments that have been found to be noncompliant to laws and regulations. — Sec. Roy A. Cimatu Department of Environment and Natural Resources
accredited hotels will be available for booking at any time during the day.
He added that more than all these, a change in the behavior of the people — the locals and the tourists — will bring real change to Boracay.
CCAs needed for businesses
Right now, the DENR already began issuing Certificates of Conditional Approval (CCAs) to establishments considered to be “90 to 95 percent compliant” to environmental regulations.
Businesses granted with CCAs are those that have fulfilled all DENR-related requirements except that on STPs, which may yet be completed or are still undergoing construction.
The CCA allows establishments to proceed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government for assessment of permits, and finally to the Department of Tourism for final accreditation and clearance to operate when the island opens.
Prior to the dry run, a group of businessmen in the island raised concerns over the government's slow issuance of permits that will allow them to operate once the closure on the island's tourism is lifted next month.
A member of Compliant Association of Boracay (CAB), who requested anonymity, said in an earlier interview with Manila Bulletin that out of more than 300 legitimate business establishments in the island, only 30 have so far been given all the clearances to operate while around 70 are only considered "conditional compliant."
CAB is a recently established association of businesses here in Boracay. The group includes owners of hotels, resorts, retail shops, and restaurants.
Going back to CCAs, Cimatu said the issuance of the said permit was in line with the President’s directive to afford the public the “ease of doing business” with government.
As of October 8, the DENR has issued CCAs to 159 establishments.