Duterte forms inter-agency task force for Boracay rehab

MANILA, Philippines —President Rodrigo Duterte through an executive order on Thursday created an inter-agency task force for the rehabilitation of Boracay.

Executive Order No. 53, or the order “creating a Boracay inter-agency task force providing for its powers and functions and those of member-agencies thereof, and other measures to reverse the degradation of Boracay island”, was signed by Duterte on May 9.

The move was made two weeks after the closure of the island last April 26.

In his six-page order, Duterte said the “years of indiscriminate development have led to environmental degradation, pollution and the depletion and destruction of the island's biodiversity.”

“The issues surrounding the development of Boracay are no longer purely local matter but a national concern that needs concerted national and local cooperation and synchronization of plans and programs,” the order read.

Duterte also assigned Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu as the chair of the inter-agency task force while Department of Interior and Local Government OIC Eduardo Año will serve as the vice chair.

The incoming Tourism chief, Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, on the other hand, was named co-vice chair of the Boracay inter-agency task force.

Other members of the Boracay inter-agency task force are as follows:

• Department of Justice – Secretary

• Department of Public Works and Highways – Secretary

• Department of Social Welfare and Development – Secretary

• Department of Trade and Industry – Secretary

• Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority – Chief Operating Officer

• Philippine National Police – Chief

• Province of Aklan – Governor

• Municipality of Malay – Mayor

All agencies were given respective tasks such as the following:

DENR 

• Enforce and monitor 25 meters, plus 5 meters easement, established in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations

• Relocate and demolish all establishments and structures situated inside forest lands, wetlands, and other bodies of water which violate environmental laws or do not have licenses, agreement or any appropriate tenurial instruments with the DENR

DOT

• Ensure sustainable tourism development of Boracay
• Monitor adherance by tourism and related businesses standards

DILG

• Supervise the compliance of concerned LGUs with the mandate of Task Force

DOJ

• Provide legal support to the task force through its prosecutor's office in Aklan

• Assist relevant agency in prosecution of persons and establishments found to have violated environmental laws

• Coordinate with the Office of the Solicitor General, Land Registration Authority and the DENR in the institution of action for reversion of the land to the public domain in the appropriate court within six months from effectivity of order

DPWH

• Assess and improve the road network in the island and construct pedestrian and bike lanes whenever applicable

• Coordinate with TIEZA and LGUs in developing a more sustainable flood control program for the island –Ensure speedy disposition of cases relating to the enforcement of the National Building Code

DSWD

• provide immediate social welfare assistance to affected individuals and families
• conduct social case management of individuals and their communities for community based development programs
• facilitate the rehabilitation of affected individuals families and communities through the implementation of social development programs

—Rosette Adel