Boracay resort construction lacks environment clearance

AKLAN — The ongoing construction of a posh resort that claims it will have “the world’s first and largest number of underwater hotel rooms” at famed Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan has no environmental clearance.

“An environmental compliance certificate or ECC has not yet been issued,” said Atty. Jonathan Bulos, Western Visayas regional director for Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-6), an attached agency of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-6).

Bulos told Manila Bulletin that the management of Seven Seas Hotel and Residences Boracay did try to apply for an ECC, but was returned because of lack of other necessary documents.

The ongoing construction of the 426 hotel rooms and 77 underwater hotel rooms that that “will rise over 22 meters above sea level and more than four meters under the water” respectively has been facing complaints from Boracay locals.

They are afraid that the hotel that boasts of its own underwater view of Boracay will have an adverse environmental impact on Puka Beach, a more secluded stretch of white beach.

Bulos also pointed out that EMB-6 inspecting team found out that the management of Seven Seas Hotel and Residences Boracay has secured necessary permits from the local government of Malay led by Mayor John Yap.

The local government of Malay has issued building permit as well as zoning permit for the hotel that is scheduled to open middle of 2016.

However, Bulos said that the ongoing construction is an environmental violation in itself as the management of Seven Seas Hotel and Residences Boracay still does not have an ECC.

Because it lacks an ECC, EMB-6 has issued a show cause order to the management of Seven Seas Hotel and Residences Boracay.

Meanwhile, EMB-6 will lead a technical conference on June 3 to discuss the matter.

Seven Seas affiliates include Manila Ocean Park, Hotel H2O, World Hotel Makati, and Geoje Seaworld in South Korea.