DENR-6 traces Boracay woes to overpopulation

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Overpopulation is seen as the culprit for the growing environment problem of Boracay Island.

Jim Sampulna, Department of Environment and Natural Resources 6 (DENR) regional executive director, said that the island of about seven kilometers long but could not accommodate the increasing number of Boracay dwellers.

In a 2015 data, there are 350 resorts, hotels, apartelles, and pension houses in the island. There are also 33,000 residents with an estimated two million tourists.

Sampulna said that even if Boracay will have 5,000 tourists only, the island could not still accommodate such number. But with residents and workers rapidly increasing, it translates to more structures to be erected and thus, the contaminated waters.

"The sad part now is Boracay is being invaded by intruders. Kasi hindi naman talaga marami ang mga locals at natives. Ang Boracay ngayon, parang isa ng palengke ... rather a big supermarket," Sampulna said.

Even earlier, the DENR-6 chief said that one of the solution to address Boracay's environmental woes is for workers of hotels and resorts to leave the island and to stay in mainland Malay after their work. He claimed this "clause" should be stipulated in their work contract.

Meanwhile, Sampulna confirmed they have already started to serve show cause orders to scores of residents and establishments which have encroached areas considered as forest land.

Over the weekend, only 50 of the 842 violators were given with show cause orders. Sampulna pegged that there are around 200 establishments and residential structures, which also violated the 30-meter easement. They will also be served with a notice. (FREEMAN)