A militant lawmaker on Saturday assailed the “serious lack of a detailed and comprehensive action plan” for the rehabilitation of Boracay more than a month after it was closed more than a month ago.
“The government has arbitrarily declared Boracay closed supposedly for rehabilitation, but apparently, to this day, the government has no clear detailed action plan yet to address the myriad issues confronting the island and its people, including issues of livelihood, environment, land tenurial claims and corporate greed,” Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate, member of the Makabayan Bloc, said.
“This is outrageous given the severe impact of the closure, especially to the ordinary poor people who depend on their survival on the island’s tourism industry. Closure without a plan is like putting the carriage ahead of the horse,” Zarate added.
Zarate was among the lawmakers who joined the House committee on natural resources’ onsite investigation on Boracay following its closure last April 26.
The committee, chaired by LPGMA party-list Rep. Arnel Ty headed the investigation, joined by the panel’s vice chairpersons, Reps. Allen Mangaoang of Kalinga and Jesus Sacdalan of North Cotabato, and Rep. Roger Mercado of Leyte.
During the on-site congressional hearing, Zarate said Environment Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo admitted that the inter-agency Task Force Boracay is yet to finalize an Action Plan for the closed island.
Given this admission, Zarate said the lack of direction for the rehabilitation has raised apprehensions among communities in Boracay.
What is really the government’s plan for Boracay? keep it as a top tourism site or make it a casino haven or as a land reform area, as announced by Pres. Duterte? There is a disconnect in these conflicting pronouncements. The people are still looking for answers,” Zarate said. “Meanwhile, even without an Action Plan, physical and economic displacement of workers and residents and cases demolitions and evictions are taking place, among others.”
Zarate said that it is undeniable that Boracay needs to be rehabilitated. For many years, even decades, he said the urbanization of the island into a so-called world-renowned tourist destination has posed environmental concerns at it has exceeded the threshold capacity throughout the years.
He also took note of the lack of representation from the affected local residents in the rehabilitation task force.
“Boracay is not just an island but a community of workers, indigenous peoples, performers, vendors and other people living off the commerce in the island. Practically, there are no agricultural lands here. For the most part, the island has been portioned off by big landowners as hotels, restaurants, and leisure parks,” Zarate said.