Boracay rehab efforts to continue even after reopening, says Cimatu

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu has assured the rehabilitation efforts in Boracay will continue even after tourism-related activities on the world-famous resort island have resumed.

Cimatu said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will conduct continuous water quality monitoring to make sure Boracay’s waters remain safe for swimming and other recreational activities.

The DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (DENR) has installed a state-of-the-art monitoring system that provides real-time data on the water quality around the island, he said.

With an effective monitoring system and strict compliance by all commercial establishments to existing environmental laws and regulations, Cimatu said the public can be assured Boracay will no longer be called a “cesspool.”

According to Cimatu, the DENR will continue to monitor the compliance of establishments with the conditions imposed in their respective environmental compliance certificates (ECCs).

Cimatu said the DENR and other government agencies comprising the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) will also continue to process requirements from non-compliant commercial establishments.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang pagtanggap ng gobyerno ng application for compliance ng mga establishment,” he said.

Compliance requirements for establishments include the setting up of sewage treatment plants (STPs) or connection to the island’s sewerage system, to make sure only treated wastewater is discharged into the sea.

A day before Boracay’s reopening, the EMB reported that certificates of compliance had already been issued to 717 establishments out of 1,258 in its inventory.

A certificate of compliance allows an establishment to undergo assessment by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and then for accreditation by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

As of October 26, the DOT has allowed 157 hotels and similar establishments to operate, which is equivalent to 7,308 rooms.

The DOT also assured the public that the agency would regularly update its list of accredited establishments, as it continues to implement a “no compliance, no operation” policy on the island.

Meanwhile, Cimatu disclosed that the BIATF is set to recommend chairmanship of the body from the DENR to the DOT, as efforts shift from establishing corrective measures to maintaining laws and regulations for ecotourism sites.##

- DENR

State of the art technologies to be built soon in Boracay Island

The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force, represented by its chair, DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu expresses its appreciation to Korea Telecom (KT), represented by its vice president Kim Sung-In, for the company’s contribution to the rehabilitation of Boracay island.

KT, in cooperation with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, will establish six state-of-the-art technologies in the island, namely:
 
• high-quality public wi-fi infrastructure particularly along White Beach and in Cagban Port;
• intelligent closed-circuit television cameras that can recognize faces at ports of entry;
• photovoltaic solar panels that can generate about 35,000 kilowatts of electricity annually, as well as a system to help track and manage solar energy generation and consumption;
• a smart school where selected students can learn through a wireless network;
• e-healthcare that uses devices which allow remote and real-time checking of solutions; and
• a central command center.

The certificate of appreciation was given during Boracay’s opening day ceremony at Cagban Jetty Port on October 26. KT is the largest telecommunications company in South Korea. ###

OVER 200 BORACAY ESTABLISHMENTS FINED P43M FOR ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS

The Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has fined 219 business establishments in Boracay a total of P43 million for violation of certain environmental laws.

PAB, a quasi-judicial body charged with adjudicating case
s brought by DENR’s regional offices against violators of environmental laws and regulations, slapped the erring establishments with fines ranging from P10,000 to millions of pesos depending on the length of time and gravity of offenses.

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu had emphasized continuing vigilance in monitoring of pollution violations and swift adjudication of cases brought before the Board.

DENR Undersecretary Rodolfo Garcia, PAB’s presiding officer, said penalty notices had already been sent to the business owners, who are under obligation to pay the fines.

“We at the DENR believe that anyone who pollutes or destroys the environment must pay the cost for that destruction,” Garcia said.

Garcia said only those who settled the penalties will be allowed to process their permits to operate and discharge permits provided they have not committed other violations.

“The DENR, together with other concerned government agencies, is firm in its resolve to clean not only the waters and air of Boracay and to manage its solid waste. It also wants to clear Boracay of irresponsible and greedy business people who have placed care for the environment their least priority,” Garcia said.

According to Garcia, the rehabilitation efforts will continue even after Boracay has reopened to tourists. “We will continue to monitor all establishments and impose the necessary penalties should they be found breaking laws,” he pointed out.

Of the 209 establishments fined, 110 were found to have violated Section 1, Rule 19 of RA 8749 which requires permit to operate all sources of air pollution from the EMB. Their imposed fines totaled P1.5 million.

Another 72 establishments were fined a total of P2 million for operating facilities that discharge regulated water pollutants without a valid discharge permit, which is required under Section 27(c) of RA 9275.

Five establishments were fined a sum of P39 million for discharging untreated wastewater and exceedance of effluent standards under the clean water law.

For violating some provisions of both RAs 8749 and 9275, 22 establishments were fined a total of P900,000.

All erring establishments were issued notices of violation by the EMB Region 6 soon after Boracay was closed to tourists in April for a six-month rehabilitation from serious environmental damage.

The PAB is mandated to assess fines and issue cease and desist orders to polluting establishments, and specify compliance with the standards violated. DENR regional offices are responsible for implementing PAB’s orders. ##

- DENR

Cimatu: much achieved, but more needs to be done to rehabilitate Boracay

Despite visible improvements, Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said a lot more needs to be done to completely rehabilitate and ensure the sustainability of the world-famous Boracay Island.

Cimatu said that while the resort island is “no longer a cesspool,” there is no reason for government and other stakeholders to be complacent.

“This is not the time for us to relax and lower our guards,” Cimatu said on the first day of the 11-day dry run for the much-awaited reopening of Boracay later this month.

“While much has been gained already, still a lot remains to be done and we still ask for your extended patience, support and understanding,” he added.

Cimatu, who heads the inter-agency task force in charge of Boracay’s rehabilitation, cited the ongoing road and drainage improvement projects, which were delayed due to successive typhoons.

“We lost about 30 to 40 days of work but we will be able to compensate for this and finish the drainage system,” Cimatu explained.

The environment chief said that all projects will continue even after Boracay’s soft opening slated for October 26.

“Rehabilitation will continue after October 26. We are just in Phase 1,” he stressed.

Cimatu led other officials of government agencies involved in the rehabilitation of Boracay in welcoming Aklanons who were the first guests in the newly- rehabilitated island which he described as a “better Boracay”.

Boracay, he said, was no longer a cesspool and tourists can once again enjoy its pristine waters.
He gladly announced that Boracay waters are already fit for swimming based on the standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“We offer to you now a better Boracay,” Cimatu said. “Boracay beaches are now a sight to behold and the entire island will even be grander in the near future.”

Famous for its powdery white sand, pristine blue waters and amazing sunsets, Boracay has been named several times as one of the best beaches in the world.

But on April 26, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Presidential Proclamation No. 475 ordering the closure of Boracay to tourists for six months to pave the way for its rehabilitation from environmental damage caused by overdevelopment.##

CIMATU: STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH GUIDELINES REQUIRED EVEN DURING BORACAY DRY RUN

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES in charge of the rehabilitation of Boracay will closely monitor compliance and effectiveness of the guidelines laid down to protect the resort island from unsustainable tourism practices during its dry run or partial reopening from October 15 to 25.

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, head of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF), said the 11-day dry run would allow government to test all systems put in place during the six months Boracay underwent much-needed rest and cleanup.

He therefore appealed for cooperation and understanding from all stakeholders and local tourists, who will be among the firsts to experience a reinvigorated Boracay.

“We will be monitoring a lot of things, from managing the entrance, exit, and stay of the tourists, to enforcing rule of law on establishments that have been found to be non-compliant to laws and regulations,” Cimatu said.

The former military chief said the government would strictly enforce the “no compliance, no operation” policy for establishments not only during the dry run but beyond Boracay’s formal reopening on October 26.

“We will not hesitate to close hotels and other establishments that would operate without clearance from the BIATF,” Cimatu said.

He also warned tourists who are planning to visit the island to make sure they book their accommodations with compliant hotels and similar establishments, a complete list of which will be released by the Department of Tourism.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is deploying at least 30 environmental enforcers to check on Boracay’s water quality, solid waste management, drainage and sewage systems, and occupation on forest areas and wetlands.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police have committed to help maintain peace and order on the island during the dry run leading to the October 26 reopening.

“We are trying to correct the mistakes of the past, and we have succeeded in finding a solution to cleaning the environment. We do not want to backslide on what we have started,” Cimatu said.

The BIATF recently approved a set of guidelines to ensure Boracay’s environment will be sustained and protected from the expected massive influx of local and foreign tourists.

The guidelines include a regulation on tourist arrivals and number of persons allowed to stay in Boracay, in accordance with the island’s carrying capacity.

A study conducted by the DENR’s Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau and the University of the Philippines-Los Baños revealed that the island’s daily carrying capacity is 54,945—19,215 tourists and 35,730 non-tourists, which refer to residents, migrants and stay-in workers.

During the dry run, the BIATF will be implementing a traffic scheme amid ongoing road works on the island. This includes ferrying visitors directly to the Tambisaan port or pontoons set up at different boat stations, and impounding private and public vehicles operating without permit.##

- DENR

SUSPENSIYON NG ECC SA MGA ESTABLISYEMENTO SA BORACAY INALIS NA NG DENR

INALIS NA ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources ang suspensiyon ng Environmental Compliance Certificate sa Boracay.

Base ito sa inilabas na Memorandum Circular No. 2018-14 ng Kagawaran araw ng Biyernes kaugnay ng takdang pagbubukas ng Isla sa Oktobre 26.

Inatasan rito ni DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu ang Environmental Management Bureau Regional Office 6 na alisin ang suspensyon ng ECC sa lahat ng complying hotels and establishment sa Isla.

Mababatid na nagsimula ang suspensiyon ng ECC sa Boracay buwan ng Hulyo sa pamamagitan ng Memorandum Circular No. 2018-03 para suriin ang compliance ng mga establisyemento.

Sa kabila ng lifting, sinabi ni Cimatu na magpapatuloy ang pagrereview ng binuong komitiba sa mga ECC at Environmental Management Plans ng mga establiahments at ang pagsusumite ng report sa kanya.

Magpapatuloy rin umano ang kanilang pagsusuri sa mga Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC).

Ang mga ito ay para masiguro umano na sumusunod sa mga environmental laws ang mga establisyemento at na walang nang mga paglabag.##

-Kasimanwang Darwin Tapayan, Energy Fm 107.7 Kalibo

25 RESORTS MAY PERMIT TO OPERATE NA PARA SA MULING PAGBUBUKAS NG BORACAY ISLAND SA OCT. 26

DALAWAMPU’T LIMANG resorts ang mayroon ng permit para mag-operate simula sa soft reopening ng Boracay sa October 26.

Ayon sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources, magbubukas ang kabuuang 1,000 kwarto sa unang araw ng operasyon ng isla matapos ang ilang buwang pagsasara.

Ang hotel na mayroong 40 rooms pataas na nasa beach front ay dapat na may sariling sewerage treatment plant habang ang istablisyimentong may 49 rooms pababa ay kailangang nakakonekta sa sewer line ng isla.

Bukod sa limitadong operasyon ng mga istablisyimento na may kumpletong permits mula sa lokal na pamahalaan, DENR at kaukulang ahensya ng gobyerno, ireregulate rin ang mga aktibidad sa waterfront ng boracay.

Bawal na rin sa beach front ang fire dance, fish feeding, coral picking, open fire, paggamit ng kerosene lamps, mga lamesa, upuan at ibang gamit gayundin ang malalaking beach umbrella, souvenir shops at electirical lights.

Mayroon na ring no-build, no-party at no smoling zones sa loob ng 25 plus 5 meters ng beachfront.
Maski ang pagtatanim ng mga puno ng niyog ay nangangailangan ng permit mula sa DENR.##

- Radyo INQUIRER

DENR HOPES TO SCALE UP PANAY FOREST AND CLIMATE PROTECTION PROJECT

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is hoping to expand nationwide a highly acclaimed forest and climate change protection project, which resulted in the sustainable management of resources in areas surrounding a mountain range on Panay Island.

According to DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, the recently completed Forest and Climate Protection Panay Project (ForClim)—an eight-year initiative funded and implemented by the German and Philippine governments—is worth replicating in other parts of the country.

“ForClim has proved successful in integrating biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and poverty alleviation through sustainable management of forest resources. With the right support from our partner organizations, hopefully we can bring this kind of success to other areas in the country in the near future,” Cimatu said.

Cimatu issued the statement after the implementation of ForClim’s second phase was finally completed this year. A simple closing ceremony held recently at the DENR central office was led by DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Jonas Leones and Cimatu’s chief of staff Undersecretary Rodolfo Garcia.

ForClim II, which ran from June 2014 to February 2018, was financed through a grant of 5.95 million euros from the German Ministry for the Environment, Natural Conservation and Nuclear Safety, with a local counterpart funding of 250,000 euros from the DENR. The first phase was implemented from 2010 to 2014.

Just like the first phase, ForClim II was implemented by German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit or GIZ and DENR. The project covered the Panay Mountain Range and 23 adjacent municipalities.

Throughout its implementation, ForClim II effectively managed and governed over 30,000 hectares of forest and connected systems of protected areas in Panay.

It made sure that Panay Mountain Range, given its globally significant biodiversity, was protected and natural resources in the adjacent areas were managed and used by local communities in a sustainable and climate-friendly manner.

The project introduced innovations and approaches in forest land use planning, including the establishment of critical habitats, forest conservation and management, forest rehabilitation, agroforestry, and income generation for local communities.

It followed a conservation and development approach providing incentives for sustainable resource management such as agroforestry, upland agriculture and use of bioenergy.

ForClim II also worked towards the protection of natural forests and rehabilitation of degraded forests, resulting in reduced carbon emissions of 453,353 tons from 2011 to 2017.

The project had trained more than 813 people, hired 725 forest guards, and produced forest protection agreements covering 18,732 hectares.

Garcia, in accepting on behalf of the DENR the document containing the project’s outputs, said those accomplishments “encapsulate” the department’s Program for Environment and Natural Resources for Restoration, Rehabilitation and Development or PRRD.

PRRD, which matches the initials of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, is a five-year roadmap that aims to “protect the country’s natural resources from naturally occuring and human-induced degradation.”##

BORACAY TASK FORCE, HAHANAP NG ALTERNATIBO SA “FIRE DANCE” SA ISLA

Maghahanap ang Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force ng mga alternatibo sa mga “fire dance” sa isla kapag muling binuksan sa publiko sa Oktubre.

Sa isang pulong balitaan, sinabi ni Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu na gaas ang ginagamit sa mga fire dance na pollutant o maaaring makasira sa magandang buhangin ng Boracay island.

Sa ngayon, ang task force ay hahanap ng alternatibo na mas ligtas at kumpara sa fire dance at magiging parte ng rebranding ng Boracay.

Kilala ang isla sa buong mundo hindi lamang sa ganda nito kundi sa mga mahuhusay na performers ng mga fire dance.

Kaugnay nito, nilinaw ni Cimatu na pwede pa ring mag-party ang mga turista sa Boracay.

Pero ayon sa kalihim, lilimitahan ang partying sa loob ng hotels o restaurants lamang at ipagbabawal na sa mismong beach o dagat.

Ang mga ito ay paraan upang mapangalagaan ang Boracay mula sa matinding kalat na naidudulot ng pagpaparty, bukod pa sa ingay.

Pinaplantsa na ang polisiya hinggil dito, ani Cimatu, na ipapamahagi naman sa hotel and restaurant owners.##

- Radyo INQUIRER

RELOCATION SITE PARA SA MGA ILLEGAL SETTLERS SA BORACAY IHINAHANDA NA

photo © Inquirer

Tinukoy na ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ang napiling relocation site para sa mga illegal wetland settlers sa Boracay.

Ayon kay DENR Undersecretay for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Jonas Leones, inihahanda na nila ang paglilipatan ng mga illegal settlers sa Caticlan.

Kabilang sa kanilang preparasyon ang pagpapatayo ng mga bahay o paglalagay ng temporary tents na pansamantalang titirhan ng mga pamilya.

Paglilinaw ng opisyal, hindi nila pupwersahing agad na umalis ang mga residente sa mga wetlands dahil aminado siyang kailangan muna ng maayos na paglilipatan ng mga ito.

Ayon pa kay Leones, nag-offer ang Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ng holding area para sa mga handa nang umalis sa kanilang mga bahay sa wetlands.

Aniya, kumakausap na rin sila ng mga kumpanyang handang tumulong sa rehabilitasyon ng mga wetlands bilang bahagi ng kanilang corporate social responsibility.

Kabilang sa kanilang gagawin ang paglilinis, rehabilitasyon, at pag-secure sa mga wetlands.

Read more: http://radyo.inquirer.net/…/relocation-site-para-sa-mga-ill…

GROUNDWATER SA BORACAY POLLUTED PARIN AYON SA ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BUREAU

Contaminated parin ang groundwater sa Isla ng Boracay ayon sa Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-6 ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Sa report ng pahayagang Daily Guardian, sinabi ni EMB-6 legal chief Ramar Niel Pascua na as of June ang coliform level sa tatlong kabarangayan ng Isla ay mataas parin sa standard na 100 most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliters (ml).

Ang Brgy Yapak ay nakapagtala ng tinatayang 400MPN per 100ml samantalang Manoc-Manoc at ang Balabag ay may mahigit 1,000MPN per 100 ml kada isa.

Sa kabila nito sinabi ni Pascua na ang mabuting balita ay bumaba ang contamination simula nang sumailalim sa rehabilitasyon ang Boracay.

Aniya matagal nang problema ang groundwater contamination sa Isla. Simula 2001 ay pinagbawal na ng National Water Resources Board (NWRB) ang paggawa ng balon at pagkuha ng tubig dito.

Kabilang sa mga dahilan ng kotaminasyon ay ang mga untreated wastewater ng mga establisyemento at ang mga dumi ng tao sa mga wetland na dumidiretso sa mga ilog o sapa.

Simula nang isara ang Boracay noong Abril 26, naghigpit na ang EMB sa mga establisyemento na siguruhing nakasarado ang kanilang mga septic tanks. Humingi na rin sila ng tulong sa Department of Health para matugunan ang suliraning ito. | EFM Kalibo

DENR: LOCAL OFFICIALS SA BORACAY BIGONG IPATUPAD ANG SEWERAGE ORDINANCE

Nagpaalala ang Department of Environment and Natural Resources o DENR sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Malay, Aklan na mahigpit nilang ipinapatupad ang ordinansa na nag-aatas sa lahat ng mga residente at mga establisyimento sa Boracay Island na kumunekta sa isang sewerage system.

Ayon kay DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu, taong 2012 pa ay mayroong Ordinance 307 ang Malay Local Government pero hindi naman ito naipatutupad.

Sa ilalim ng nasabing ordinansa, ang mga residente at establisyimento na may layong 61 meters mula sa sewerage pipes ay dapat nakakonekta sa sewerage treatment plants at septic tanks.

Ayon kay Cimatu, sa kabila ng umiiral na ordinansa, napabayaan ang Boracay dahil sa dumi na naitatapon sa nasabing tourist spot.

Lumilitaw na 195 sa 578 business customers ng Boracay Island Water Corp. ang hindi hindi nakakonekta sa sewerage infrastructure ng isla.

Habang limang porsiento lamang ng kabuuang 4,331 ng residential customers nito ang konektado sa sewerage infrastructure. - Radyo Inquirer

MGA ESTABLISYIMENTO SA BORACAY BOLUNTARYONG TINANGGAL ANG KANILANG MGA STALLS

Nagsimula na ang ilang mga store-owners sa Puka Beach sa isla ng Boracay na mag-self demolish ng kanilang mga itinayong stalls.

Mahigit 30 mga establisyimento sa nasabing lugar ang inisyuhan ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Malay ng paglabag sa easement rules at sanitary regulations.

Ayon kay Executive Assistant to the Mayor Rowen Aguirre, pawang nakatayo sa no-build zone ang mga stalls. Bukod pa dito, wala ring health card ang mga nagtitinda ng pagkain at wala ring septic tank at proper disposal system ang mga establisyimento.

Karamihan sa mga may-ari ng mga illegal stalls ay mga residente rin ng Boracay.

Bagaman handa silang sumunod sa mga otoridad ay humihingi naman sila ng tulong sa pamahalaan na bigyan sila ng ibang ikabuubuhay.

Samantala, nakatakdang bumalik sa isla ngayong linggo si Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu para naman inspeksyunin ang mga wetland na tinatayuan rin ng iba’t ibang mga establisyimento.

Sa record ng DENR, mayroong 11 mga wetland sa Boracay at 7 dito ang na-reclaim na at tinayuan na ng mga istraktura. - Radyo INQUIRER

HIGIT 200 NOTICES OF VIOLATION, INILABAS NG DENR SA BORACAY

Sa pagpapatuloy ng inspeksyon, mahigit-kumulang 200 kaso ng environmental violations ang inihain ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sa Boracay.

Sa pahayag ng ahensya, aabot na sa 207 ang inisyung notices of violations sa mga establisimiyentong natagpuang lumabag sa ilang environmental laws.

Inilabas ang babala sa 116 establisimiyento na lumabag sa Philippine Clean Water Act, 77 sa Philippine Clean Air Act, lima sa parehong batas at siyam naman ang walang environmental compliance certificate.

Samantala, matatandaang binigyan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang DENR, DOT at DILG ng anim na buwan para resolbahin ang problemang kinaharap ng nangungunang tourist destination na tinawag niyang “cesspool.” - Radyo INQUIRER

DENR AT PAMAHALAANG LOKAL NG MALAY NAGISA SA SENADO DAHIL SA MGA ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE NA KINAKAHARAP NG BORACAY

BORACAY, AKLAN - Ginisa sa pagdinig ng senado ang mga opisyal ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources at ang pamahalaang lokal dahil sa mga environmental issue na kinakaharap ng Boracay.

Kinuwestiyon ng mga senador ang ulat ni DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu na mula siyam ay apat nalang ang natitirang wetland sa isla.

Iginiit ni senadora Loren Legarda sa mga opisyal ng kagawaran kung anong mga malalaking establisyemento ang naitayo sa mga wetland maliban sa mga maliliit na bahay at kung paano nakalusot ang mga ito.

"Hindi ito mangyayari kung hindi binigyan ng suporta o kapabayaan ng DENR... Paano makakarating ang plywood at pako kung 'di pinayagan ng lokal na pamahalaan?" ani Legarda.

Depensa ni DENR 6 regional director Jim Sampulna, isa sa mga dahilan ang pag-alis ng CENRO sa isla noong 2013 dahil sa rationalization at dahil narin sa wala umanong Environmental Management Bureau na nakabase dito.

Sinabi rin niya na noon ay sinubukan na niyang panagutin ang mga lumabag gayunman ay sadyang matitigas umano ang kanilang mga ulo at ang iba ay may apela na sa korte. Aminado siya na may kakulangan rin sa kanilang parte.

Isinisisi naman ng taga-DENR ang problemang ito sa LGU sa pagbibigay ng permit. Kung ang LGU naman ang tatanungin, isinisisi naman nila ito sa DENR.

Ilan sa pinangalanan ng taga-DENR na malalaking establisyemento na nakatirik ngayon sa wetland ay ang Seven Seas sa Brgy. Yapak na kasalukuyan pang itinatayo, bahagi ng D’Mall sa Brgy. Balabag, at King Fisher’s Farm. Ang buong listahan ay isusumite palang ng kagawaran sa senado.

Nabanggit rin ni dating gobernador at ngayon ay Congressman ng Aklan Carlito Marquez na ang Crown Regency sa Balabag ay nakatirik sa wetland pero legal na umano ito nang manalo sa korte ang kaso laban sa DENR dahil sa teknekalidad.

Kaugnay rito, ipapasumite rin ng senado ang mga listahan ng dating mga opisyal ng DENR, ng pamahalaang lokal ng Malay, at ng mga punong barangay sa isla para sa imbestigasyon. - Darwin Tapayan, EFM Kalibo

MGA PASAWAY NA MGA ESTABLISYEMENTO IPINAPASARA NI SENADORA VILLAR PERO HINDI ANG BUONG BORACAY

BORACAY, AKLAN - Hindi payag si Senadora Cynthia Villar na isara ang Isla ng Boracay para sa ilang buwan. Ito ang pahayag niya sa isang media interview umaga ng Biyernes.

Naniniwala ang opisyal na siya ring chairperson ng committee on environment na kaya namang linisin ang top island destination nang hindi isinasara.

Ang senadora ay nagsagawa ng okular inspeksyon sa isla at pagkatapos ay pinangunahan ang joint committee hearing ng senado hinggil sa isyung kinakaharap nito.

Samantala sa pagdinig, iminungkahi ni Villar sa DENR na ipasara lamang ang mga establisyementong lumabag sa batas at panatilihin ang mga sumusunod.

Matatandaan na una nang nagbabala si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na kung hindi malilinis ang isla sa loob na anim na buwan ay ipasasara niya ito. - Darwin Tapayan, EFM Kalibo

ILANG GUSALI SA BORACAY NA NAKITAAN NG PAGLABAG SINIMULAN NANG IDEMOLISH

Nagsimula na ang Department of Environment and Natural Resources sa pagtibag ng ilang mga gusali sa isla na nakitaan ng paglabag sa mga environmental laws.

Ngayong araw ay sinimulan ng Boracay West Cove Resort na iself-demolish ang kanilang view deck dahil nakapatong ito sa natural rock formation.

Nabatid na ang extension na ito ng kanilang resort ay lumagpas na sa 998 sq. mt. na sinasaad sa kanilang forest land use agreement for tourism purposes (FLAgT).

Mananatili namang operational ang nabanggit na resort dahil sa pinanghahawakan nilang tenurial agreement sa gobyerno. Sumusunod rin umano sila sa iba pang environmental laws.

Target ngayon ng DENR ang iba pang mga gusali na nakatirik sa mga forestland at timberland.

Sa mga susunod na araw ay titibagin rin nila ang mga gusali na nakatayo sa gilid ng lake town o lagoon sa Brgy. Balabag.

Ang mga aksiyong ito na ginagawa ng DENR ay kasunod ng atas ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na linisin ang isla sa loob ng anim na buwan.

CRIS AQUINO HININGAN NG PERA NI DENR SEC. CIMATU?

Isang negosyante at resort owner sa Boracay ang umano'y hinihingan ng pera ng taga-DENR.

Sa kanyang facebook post nagbabala si Crisostomo Aquino sa mga stakeholders sa isla na mag-ingat sa mga manluluko o scammer.

Ayon sa kanya, nakatanggap umano siya ng tawag mula sa nagpakilalang siya si Sec. Roy Cimatu ng DENR at humihingi ng pera para umano sa mga drug dependants sa Nueva Ecija.

Tumawag umano si Aquino sa central office ng kagawaran at nanindigan na wala silang kinalaman rito.

Nakarating na sa kapulisan ng Boracay ang insidente at binabalaan ang mga tao sa kaparehong modus.

Si Aquino ay may-ari ng kontrobersyal na West Cove Resort sa isla.

293 MGA GUSALI SA ISLA NG BORACAY NAKITAAN NG PAGLABAG SA EASEMENT RULES

Target ngayon ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ang mga gusali sa Isla ng Boracay na lumabag sa easement rule.

Ayon sa tala ng DENR region 6, umabot sa 293 mga gusali sa isla ang nakita nilang lumabag sa batas na ito.

Pinakamarami rito ang nasa beach area ng Brgy. Manocmanoc na may 160, Brgy. Balabag na may 115 at Brgy. Yapak na may 18. Ito ay may kabuuang mahigit 11 ektarya.

Kahapon ay personal na ininspeksyon ni DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu ang ilan sa mga gusaling ito na hindi sumusunod sa 25 meters no building zone.

Ipapatupad narin ng DENR ang plus five meters easement sa mga gusaling ito.

Papanagutin rin ng DENR ang mga opisyal na nagbigay ng building permit sa mga establisyimentong ito na nakatayo sa 25+5 easement.

Bibigyan naman ng hanggang 15 araw ang mga gusaling ito na magpaliwanag o kung hindi ay posible silang patawan ng cease and decease order.

Maliban rito, nais rin ng kalihim na ipatupad ang setback ng kalsada sa Boracay.

Base sa lokal na ordenansa, ang setback ng main road sa isla ay 6 metro mula sa centerline sa parehong magkabilang bahagi.

Sa ngayon, ay nasa Boracay na ang National Task Force ng DENR para mag-inspekyon at gumawa ng kaukulang aksyon hinggil sa mga problemang ito.

21 MGA ESTABLISYIMENTO SA BORACAY SINERBEHAN NG SHOW CAUSE ORDER

photo (c) Boracay PNP

21 mga establishments/boarding houses/residential houses sa Sitio Manggayad-Talipapa Bukid, Boracay ang sinerbehan ng show cause order umaga ngayong araw ng Martes base sa report ng Boracay PNP.

Pinangunahan ito ni Atty. Wilma Lagance, legal officer ng DENR6 kasama ang mga tauhan ng pulisya at militar.

Bibigyan ng palugit ang mga ito upang magpaliwanag sa umano'y mga paglabag.

Bahagi parin ito nang nagpapatuloy na aksiyon ng gobyerno na linisin ang isla sa loob ng anim na buwan alinsunod sa atas ng pangulo ng bansa. /