10 Boracay resorts ordered to demolish structures

The Boracay Inter-agency Task Force (BIATF) on Thursday ordered 10 beachfront establishments in the island to demolish their structures for operating without the necessary permits and clearances and for exceeding the required coastal easement regulation.

The establishments are Steve’s Cliff/ Boracay Terraces Resort, Willy’s Rock Resort, Boracay Plaza Resort, Little Prairie Inn, Watercolors Diveshop, Blue Lilly Hotel, Exclusive Dawn VIP Boracay Resort, True Home, and New Wave Divers, all located in the island’s Station 1 area, and Calveston International Inc. located at Station 2.

Existing laws and regulations set the coastal easement in the island at 30 meters and the road easement at six meters from the center of the road.

All establishments found violating the easement laws were ordered to suspend operations pending the removal of their illegal structures.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said there are still establishments in Boracay that have started to operate without the necessary permits from the BIATF.

Cimatu said the 10 establishments will be given 15 days to demolish their structures and facilities.

“If they still refuse to comply, the inter-agency task force will be forced to demolish these structures,” he added.

The prohibition is meant to protect the shore and maintain the pristine quality of the sand, which is Boracay’s top selling feature.

Among those prohibited are the construction of stage platform for entertainment purposes and setting up of tables, chairs, massage beds, beach umbrellas, souvenir shops and food stalls.

Electrical fixtures, such as lightings and wirings, will also be removed and prohibited from the beachfront vegetation area.

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