Koko: Rody has authority to close Boracay

President Duterte has the authority to order the closure of Boracay as a drastic move to save the worldfamous tourist destination from degradation, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said yesterday.

Pimentel said that while Boracay would not be literally shut down, no tourists would be allowed while the departments of environment and natural resources, tourism, and the interior and local government are doing massive works on beaches and other public areas on the island.

Even if hotels and resorts remain open for business during the suggested six-month closure, no tourist would be allowed while the island is being rehabilitated.

“The chief law enforcer is the President and he will act through the departments. If you’re a hotel, you’d still be a hotel but who will be your clients when the beach – the main attraction – is closed?” Pimentel told dzBB.

He said Duterte in this case is enforcing environment and sanitation laws that were violated by the island’s many establishments and

not implemented by the local government.

Pimentel believes a lot of work is needed to repair beaches, dismantle illegal establishments, and put in sanitation and other environment-related infrastructure.

Senators earlier cautioned against the shutdown of Boracay, fearing it would displace 17,000 to 36,000 workers.

But Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said the island “must be allowed to breathe.”

Duterte said he is determined to close Boracay to implement programs to make the island a sustainable tourist destination.