The Rotary Club of Sta. Mesa District 3780, through its president Jose Paulo Legaspi, supports the proposed rehabilitation of the island of Boracay to restore its former glory.
“We have ignored nature’s warning signs in the past, and we paid the price. Let’s not let it happen to Boracay. Let’s help in whichever way we can. The best time to start is now,” said Legaspi, a supporter of Clean Up the Philippines, which has volunteered to help in the rehabilitation efforts for the “Island Paradise.”
The Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, and Tourism had recommended the total closure of the island resort, so it can be rehabilitated and connect establishments and households to the island’s sewerage system.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Interior officer-in-charge Eduardo Año, and Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo announced their recommendation to the President on Thursday.
The DILG, DENR, and DoT were tasked by President Rodrigo Duterte to recommend solutions to stop the degradation of the 1,032-hectare island, which attracts more than two million tourists and brings in P56 billion in tourism receipts yearly.