Moratorium on Boracay developments, its impact

The proposed moratorium on development projects in Boracay, Aklan, may have proved timely for resorts in Western Visayas, especially those in southern Negros Occidental.

Truth to tell, I have long noted the runaway "over-development" of Boracay. I have complained that it has become too crowded and the facilities have deteriorated, including sewage disposal.

Of course, Boracay still remains the favorite spot of many, lured to the island by its white beaches and freewheeling ambiance.

But for one who frequented the island-paradise way back in the 70s when it was still "underdeveloped," the development of Boracay has proven disappointing, especially when one considers that access from the mainland remains to be small boats through the Caticlan landing with the commuters often forced to wade through the water.

Anyway, the last time I visited it was two years ago. That visit compelled me to forego any idea of going back to Boracay until the situation has improved. And that was during a Lions convention.

At any rate, it was exhilarating to note that Punta Buleta of Cauayan and Sipalay’s resorts were prominently projected as having been discovered by Metro Manilans. That was during the weekend program of ABS-CBN’s ANC.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano has stressed that moratorium on development projects in Boracay should be implemented because of the island’s critical condition.

But that immediately drew reactions from the members of the Boracay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who suggested that the government should first get its act together to address the problems of the island resort.

Visayan Daily Star’s Nestor Burgos Jr. quoted Karen Reina, the chamber’s president, as saying that "at least development projects would be regulated until the problems are resolved."

Lara Salaver, president of the Boracay Foundation, agreed that Boracay has become "environmentally critical."

The Master Development Plan, approved in 1991, has not been implemented despite undergoing revisions. But Salaver reportedly said that if the moratorium is put on hold due to the lack of a clear development plan, the "whole island would be left hanging."

Be that as it may, there has lately been an increasing number of tourists who have made a beeline to Negros resorts in the deep south.

Actually, these are those from Cauayan to Hinobaan, the last three towns of southern Negros Occidental before the equally alluring tourism spots of Oriental Negros from Basay to Bayawan.

During the early 70s, the area promised to draw in tourists, especially after the US Navy’s staging of the Pilgrimage to Asia. Actually, Asia is a barangay in Hinobaan where the beaches are just as white as those in Boracay.

That also led to the discovery of Obong Point and Salvacion Cave where the Planet Party of Col. Jesus Villamar landed as the first Allied Forces to have returned to the Philippines after the Fall of Bataan and Corregidor.

But that stimulated only a short tourist invasion of the South, mostly by Japanese visitors like the fabled "Col. Jimbo," a Japanese military officer.

After that, the insurgency problem became troubling. Visitors shunned the area. The condition of the national highway further precluded its development.

And so they stayed until after the EDSA Revolution and the ebbs of the insurgency problem. The late 80s and the 90s led many to rediscover the scenic spots of the south and there was development, albeit slow. Now, these places have become major tourist destinations again.

In short, Boracay’s travails may enable more tourists to cast their eyes on the area as well as on Bohol and other portions of Oriental Negros which remain interesting and alluring and could give Boracay a run for its money.

A Rash Of Fish Poisonings

One was killed and 23 others fell ill after eating spoiled fish in a rash of fish poisonings in Negros Occidental. Eleven of the victims were from Silay City.

John Allen Sonio, an eight-year-old boy of Barangay Guinsalaon, Silay City, reportedly died after eating spoiled marot with 12 others hospitalized.

Eight more residents of Barangay Patag, also in Silay City, reportedly suffered dizziness, stomach pains, numbness in the face and vomiting after they had eaten tuloy and marot. They were hospitalized last Monday night, but were released Tuesday.

Another fish, bulao, reportedly downed 37-year-old Josefina Ybanez who also landed at the Dr. Jose Locsin Provincial Memorial Hospital. Three more people were also hospitalized after eating bulao.

It used to be common knowledge among coastal dwellers that eating spoiled fish with "red blood" releases histamine that usually triggers allergic reaction, which, if not immediately attended to, could be fatal.

In short, as provincial agriculturist Igmedioa Tabianan warned, the public should refrain from eating fish that are no longer fresh or those which have not been properly refrigerated. Also dangerous are those which have been allowed to undergo prolonged thawing.

There was another peculiar incident in Cauayan, involving poisoning by a stingray (pagi). Three members of the Pesos family experienced nausea and vomiting, pain and severe headache after eating adobong stingray which included its liver.

Tabianan said a similar incident occurred in Madagascar in 1993 when 188 people were hospitalized after eating shark meat. Sharks and stingrays belong to the Elasmobarch family. Their flesh, during certain periods, reportedly contain trimethylamine oxide which breaks down into toxic trimethylamine. There is no known antidote to this, Tabianan said.

It is believed that the liver of the pagi and shark contains the toxin in more concentrated form.

In short, what we knew when we were still young may have been lost among the present generation. But the fact is one time, I nearly suffered from food poisoning after eating tuna. Luckily, my late wife, Dr. Lourdes L. Espina, noticed my reddening face. And when she inquired whether I had taken beer, I managed to mutter that I only ate tuna. That was when she injected me with Antamin.

Sometimes, we overlook folklore. That can cause a lot of complications.

P930-M Water Anomaly

The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission under Nicasio Conti reportedly recommended that complaints be filed against members of the Metro Roxas Water District following the discovery of anomalies in the implementation of the expansion project.

Conti urged the fact-finding committee to submit its findings to the Office of the Ombudsman for determination of administrative, civil and criminal action.

The FFC reportedly found that the proposed water treatment plant is not beneficial to the MRWD, the legal water rate utilized in the proposal is not justifiable, and the scheme or sequence of project implementation is very disadvantageous to the MRWD.

MRWD chairwoman Carmen Andrade reportedly complained that the FFC conducted its investigation without due process and that the members of the board of directors were not given a chance to dispute the allegations.

Anyway, I’ll write about this later as soon as I have secured the other side of the story from the MRWD.

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ADDENDUM. Rene Canovo of the Visayan Daily Star wrote from Dumaguete City that the Philippine Medical Women’s Association is appealing to Malacañang to stop the exodus of physicians out of the country. PMWA president Resa Maria Nancho reportedly called the attention of President Arroyo to the rising number of doctors enrolling in nursing courses to work abroad. Last year alone, she said, some 4,000 physicians took up nursing and passed the licensure examination. Dr. Verna Reyes. PMWA’s Oriental Negros chapter president, noted that 36 doctors in the province took up nursing and passed the licensure examination in 2004 alone. Well, most of them had already gone abroad. That was the reason why Oriental Negros Gov. George Arnaiz had to employ retired government doctors as consultants to fill up the slack.