Boracay may open earlier if business groups cooperate

MANILA, Philippines — Boracay could reopen earlier than October if businesses will fully cooperate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the rehabilitation of the island.

In a meeting with stakeholders over the weekend, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said the DENR “can make it earlier if they can cooperate.”

Even the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier said that some areas of Boracay may be reopened as early as September provided that certain conditions are met.

DILG Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing said for Boracay to go on “soft opening,” establishments that breach the restrictions on easement and half of structures situated on wetlands must be dismantled.

Densing added that at least 70 percent of road and drainage systems must be completed, five of the nine wetlands on the island must be reclaimed, the landfill should be cleared of garbage and water discharge from the drainage should pass the standard set by the DENR for 30 consecutive days.

Cimatu reiterated to stakeholders that all establishments along the white beach should set up their sewage treatment plants in accordance with Presidential Directive 2018-0081, which compels all resorts to have their own wastewater treatment facilities.

Cimatu also discussed with stakeholders some finetuning on the traffic system that will be implemented in the island once construction of the island’s main road starts.

Last month, the Department of Public Works and Highways said remaining structures along the road easement slowed down the road expansion project. But DPWH promised to meet the target even if it means working at night.

Cimatu also warned that he would give notices of violation to establishments that placed electrical wires on coconut trees, as this practice is dangerous and harmful for the trees. 

Only a ‘dipping activity’

The DENR also clarified that the reported 30-minute activity in Boracay beach of European delegates was not swimming, but only a “dipping activity” as part of the “exchange of culture” with the Ati tribe.

The dipping activity was reportedly part of Genfest International, an international youth festival normally held in Europe.

The local police reportedly allowed the European delegates to enter the island. The delegates intended to visit the Ati village and learn about the traditional life of the Ati tribe.

DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said the Ati tribe owns the island, so it is up to them whether to allow visitors in as part of a humanitarian activity.

“Secretary Roy Cimatu was unaware of this. It was the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force that allowed it, saying it was a humanitarian activity with the Ati community,” Antiporda said.

“The delegates were monitored. There was a time limit. It was just dipping and not swimming that they did. They were escorted out of the island at 5:30 p.m.”

“We are still conducting our investigation on this, so that things similar to this will never happen again in the future. We only have four months to go before the island reopens,” he added.

He also said the DENR would just look at the incident on a positive note as it could have somehow served as a means to promote Boracay.