Bike lanes, walkways to be built in Boracay

MANILA, Philippines — Bike lanes and walkways will be built in Boracay as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the island resort, an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said yesterday.

“We are also checking the needs of those who would be visiting Boracay soon following the cleanup. Most nature lovers are also into biking while others would just want to stroll,” DENR Undersecretary for policy, planning and international affairs Jonas Leones said.

Appropriate distance from the beach area will be taken into consideration.

Illegal sewer lines are being replaced by the Boracay Island Water Co. (BIWC) “to address the wastewater polluting the beaches,” Leones said.

The DENR earlier identified establishments that have illegally connected their sewage lines to the island’s rainwater drainage system that goes directly to the sea.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has expressed disappointment over the failure of some establishments to connect to the sewer lines of water concessionaires BIWC and Boracay Tubi Systems Inc., despite being told to do so when they were issued notices of violation by the Environmental Management Bureau in February.

At least 195 erring companies were included in the list.

Cimatu said establishments discharging untreated wastewater directly to the sea or illegally connecting to the drainage system have contributed greatly to the water pollution, which prompted the government to close down the premier tourist destination for six months.