Boracay land reform issues resolved by end of 2018

MANILA, Philippines — The government is optimistic that it can thresh out issues related to land distribution in Boracay before the end of the year. 

Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones said the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Agrarian Reform (DAR) are evaluating the status of the parcels of land to be distributed to members of indigenous communities.

“They are still discussing within the DAR how to undertake the distribution... The DAR has not given us updates, but the land is available for distribution. It is a matter of determining how the process will be undertaken,” Leones told a press briefing at Malacañang yesterday.

“The DAR is working on it now and perhaps before Christmas the DAR can resolve how to implement land distribution,” he said. 

Leones said the DENR has issued the deeds of transfer of around eight hectares of land to the DAR. He said at least 31 Ati families would benefit from the first phase of land distribution. 

A team from DAR had earlier identified more than 800 hectares in Boracay that could be covered by the agrarian reform program.

“They are now preparing...tenurial instruments like certificate of land ownership agreement. But they are still evaluating the status of the parcels of land,” Leones said.

He said the DAR is expected to give updates on its evaluation this week.   

President Duterte said he would order the distribution of land in Boracay to indigenous communities after the rehabilitation of the island is completed. 

Duterte ordered the closure of Boracay for six months to pave the way for its rehabilitation, saying the tourist destination has degenerated into a “cesspool” due to lack of proper sewerage system.

He also banned the establishment of casinos on the island.

Ready for tourists

Leones said the government is ready to reopen Boracay to tourists on Friday. 

“In terms of addressing major environmental problems in Boracay, we are optimistic and confident that these issues were resolved,” he said.

“Although we can say that we’re not yet 100 percent complete, we’re going in that direction... We can say that at least we are now 80 percent in restoring the pristine beauty and original situation of Boracay,” Leones said. 

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