Demolition of illegal structures in Malapascua starts on Sept. 15

Capitol will be sending a "wrecking crew" to Malapascua Island today tasked to destroy illegal structures located within the salvage zone that would not be voluntary torn down by its owners after the September 14 deadline, this was announced by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The Capitol wrecking crew will start destroying illegal structures by September 15.

The provincial government is firm in its decision to have illegal beach resorts and other tourism-related establishments demolished to give way to the long due implementation of the 2003 Malapascua Island Eco-tourism Development Plan.

Last June 14, Garcia announced a 90-day ultimatum within which owners of beach resorts and other tourism-related establishments in the area would be able to voluntarily remove facilities and/or structures located within the salvage zone of the island.

This as structures on the Main Bounty Beach of the island have become eyesores to visiting tourists, aside from the fact that their location is a violation of PD 1067, otherwise known as the Water Code of the Philippines.

Declared as timberland during the Marcos regime, the island's easement zone would have been 40 meters but there is a move to ask for amendment in its classification to agricultural land that requires only a 20-meter salvage zone.

Now that the municipal government of Daanbantayan has turned over to Capitol the administration, management, and operation of the island, Garcia wants to see to it that the 2003 MIEDP will be finally implemented.

The plan includes a multi-prong approach to solving the island's various problems to subsequently make it into a prime tourist destination in the country. - Cristina C. Birondo/MEEV