Roque says absence of EO days before Boracay closure ‘no big deal’

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:49 p.m.) — Two days before the temporary closure of Boracay, Malacañang still has not issued an executive order declaring a state of calamity over the island. But presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said it is no big deal.

Roque assured the public that the EO, which serves as the legal basis for the closure, is coming out as it is necessary for the procurement process.

“It’s coming out, of course. Because the island is scheduled to be closed and we need, of course, the legal basis for the closure as well as the proclamation of the state calamity because otherwise, it will take time to comply with all rules of government procurement so we can fix Boracay and do what we need to do with Boracay,” Roque told CNN Philippines’ “The Source.”

“It can be issued today, tomorrow. It’s no big deal because I’m sure it’s drafted already,” Roque said, adding that President Rodrigo Duterte is in Davao City to attend to engagements hence the non-issuance of the EO.

Roque, however, said he does not see the non-issuance as a delay, arguing that people have already been told that the island would be closed so it is just for “formality” that the EO would be issued.

“What’s important is we gave advance notice that it will happen,” he said.

The presidential spokesman said Duterte is expected to sign the EO declaring the state of calamity over the island before he leaves for Singapore, where the ASEAN Summit will be held from April 27 to 28.

EO to help those affected by Boracay closure

Last April 2, then Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra, now justice secretary, said the government is thinking of declaring a state of calamity on the island so that affected people might avail of the calamity loans.

Meanwhile, Roque said the closure would address the discharge of untreated water into the ocean and would prioritize the drainage and sewage line.

He added that all agencies involved in the rehabilitation of the island are already prepared for their respective duties and responsibilities.

Roque said the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Social Welfare and Development would be at the forefront of providing stop-gap measures to address the loss of income of workers.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, on the other hand, would spearhead the masterplan of the rehabilitation of the island while the Department of Tourism is set to coordinate with the airlines to iron out bookings affected and ensure that tourists would come back after the closure.

Duterte threatened to close the tourist destination in February saying that it has become a “cesspool.” Months later, he approved the recommendation to close Boracay.

The world-famous island would be closed to tourists for six months starting April 26.