The rehabilitation of the world famous Boracay Island in Aklan is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ “single biggest accomplishment” in 2018.
“What we have done in Boracay [Island] could well serve as one of the DENR’s best legacies. We have already achieved something but that does not mean we should stop,” Secretary Roy Cimatu said.
Cimatu said he wants to replicate the success of the Boracay Island rehabilitation in the heavily-polluted Manila Bay.
“I am an optimist through and through, I am sure that Manila Bay will be better off in December next year,” he added.
The DENR, along with several government agencies, devoted much of its time, effort and resources to carry out President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to clean up the island he once called a “cesspool.”
After seeing the results, Cimatu said all the efforts poured into by the DENR and other government agencies during the six-month rehabilitation period were worth it.
During the first phase of Boracay rehabilitation, hotels and resorts caught directly pumping out their sewage into the sea were fined and ordered to put their own sewage treatment facilities.
The Boracay wetlands that played an important role in absorbing excess rainfall to prevent flooding and are home to native and migratory wildlife were cleaned and recovered from illegal settlements and structures.
Cimatu vowed to maintain the sustainable tourism management approach in Boracay, a model for other coastal areas.
The DENR chief said he is now focused on rehabilitating Manila Bay, and restore and main it to a level fit for swimming, skin diving and other forms of recreation.
He promised to employ the same strategy used in Boracay to rid Manila Bay of wastes and pollutants.
