Tourist spots under evaluation

The environmental state of top destinations in the country, including Cebu, are now being evaluated as the government will switch its focus to other sites as soon as Boracay Island in Aklan is completely rehabilitated.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette “Berna” RomuloPuyat revealed to reporters on Tuesday that not a single destination island will be missed since all of them will undergo the same scrutiny as Boracay Island.

Puyat, however, declined to name the roll of tourist sites that are up for possible rehabilitation.

“All the major tourist destinations (will be looked into). I don’t want to (identify). The president said all,” she said during the July 31 launching of eco-tourism program “Juan Effect” – a joint initiative of the Department of Tourism and Cebu Pacific – at Makati Shangri-La in Manila.

Puyat said Cebu is one of the country’s well-visited destinations and so it will not be spared from the eyes of the government.

The DOT chief warned the local officials to proactively comply with the environmental policies and regulations because if not, the island may be closed next to Boracay.

“Do not wait for us (the agencies to implement closure). You (local officials) have to do your jobs already,” she said reiterating the order of the president.

Good thing, Puyat said, the private sector is initiating on their own policing themselves in following the environmental laws.

Puyat graced on Tuesday the launching of an eco-tourism campaign dubbed “Juan Effect,” which aims to engage travelers and tourism stakeholders in reducing disposals or adopting ecofriendly alternatives that will help preserve the grandeur of Philippine islands.

In her speech, Puyat said the agency has a mission too to protect and conserve what beauty is left of the local destinations for the future generations, emphasizing on the importance of “sustainable” tourism.

“We can achieve environmentally-sound management of chemicals and wastes, and significantly reduce their release into air, water and soil in order to minimize the adverse impact of health and the environment,” she said.

“We can prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution,” she added.

Puyat said famous islands, like Boracay, had suffered on extreme environmental degradation.

It has been known for its beauty, attracting millions of foreign and local tourists but was recently highlighted after the president himself referred it as a “cesspool.”

Following an assessment of the island, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a six-month closure of its tourist operations to give way for its rehabilitation.

“Three months since the closure of Boracay, the DOT has been very much part of the Save Boracay task force headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). With our concerted efforts on the rehabilitation, we are looking forward to the reopening of the island on October 26 with renewed optimism and enthusiasm in transforming the island into a model for sustainable and responsible tourism,” she said.

Puyat then went on that this experience must be a lesson for all that there has to be a balance on economic developments and environmental protection.

“Other tourist destinations are now being evaluated, and shall receive equal attention from the department so that they will not suffer the same fate as this island,” she said.

Puyat recognized that there must be a collective effort to preserve and restore the environmental integrity of these beautiful islands.

She also echoed the directive of the president during the latter’s third State of the Nation Address that relayed the urgency to implement sustainable development policies and practices.

“Boracay is just the beginning. For other tourist destinations needing urgent rehabilitation and enforcement of environmental and other laws shall soon follow. I urge our local government units to proactively enforce our laws,” Puyat said, quoting the president’s pronouncement that served as a marching order to the agency in pursuing sustainable and responsible tourism.

“The tourism industry will not be able to significantly contribute to the economy if it is not sustainable. Thus, I would like to enjoin your proactive participation in this advocacy,” she said. Miasco/MBG