Environment patrol to guard Boracay

ILOILO CITY - With the reopening of Boracay in Aklan, an environmental patrol team has been deployed to keep the resort island pristine. “They are there to make sure policies are strictly enforced,” said Jesse Vego, assistant regional director for management services of the Depart- ment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The 31 environmental patrollers check garbage management, sewage management, and easement rules at the famous resort island in Malay town.

Vego said the team is also working with the local government to make sure restrictions on water sports and creation of sand castles are strictly enforced.

Vego told Manila Bulletin the patrollers are from DENR’s Aklan provincial office.

“We are again taking an active role in Boracay,” he said.

During the six-month closure, the DENR regional office and provincial office took a backseat while the DENR Central Office took over Boracay task force that also included the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“We are looking forward to the cooperation of the public to help us maintain the results of the rehab in order to further preserve and conserve the beauty of the crown jewel of the Philippines,” said DENR Regional Director Jim Sampulna.