Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on Thursday said the rehabilitation of Aklan's Boracay Island is on track because of the cooperation of the members of the inter-agency task force.
He expressed confidence in solving Boracay Island’s woes as he remembered the varied obstacles he has overcome in his colorful career in public service, first, as a military man and later, as special envoy to the Middle East.
“The harder the leadership challenge is, the easier it is to develop resiliency as a leader,” he said.
He promised to turn Boracay into a prime global tourist destination within six months after its closure last April 26.
Fixing Boracay’s sewerage and drainage system is on top of the list of priorities for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, he said.
According to Cimatu, DENR would restore Boracay’s missing wetlands, such as the site of a four-star hotel in Barangay Balabag.
Aside from this, rehabilitation work also included improving road access and solving garbage problems.
Clearing of illegal structures in road easements is still ongoing as well as the demolition of illegal structures situated in wetlands, he said.
He said Boracay Island is close to his heart because as battalion commander in Aklan in the 1980’s, he was instrumental in getting rid of the presence of the New People’s Army in Northern Panay that later led to increased tourism.
“Nothing is more rewarding to a leader than coming out of a storm, strengthened by experience with a team made more cohesive by shared sacrifices,” he said.