BORACAY SAND DISAPPEARING, DENR CHIEF
SAYS
MANILA, APRIL 14, 2012 (ABS-CBN) by Jojo Malig, ABS-CBNNews.com -
Boracay's world-famous white sand beaches are disappearing because of
development projects on the island, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje warned on
Friday.
He told dzMM's Pasa Sais Trenta that resorts and other commercial
establishments have entered the easement portion of the beach.
"It should be no-build zone. Ang proposal po namin, i-clear iyon. Kapag
pumunta ka doon, mayroong mga tiangge-tiangge," he said. "Kung iyon ang
masisira, iyun ang jewel ng Boracay, wala nang Boracay."
Paje added that some resorts have also built embankments to prevent seawater
from entering their area.
"Mayroon na kaming nakitang areas doon na nagkakaroon na ng scouring. May mga
portions doon na halos wala nang buhangin," he revealed.
He said many establishments also set up coffeeshops that are built on the
so-called easement portion of the beach. "Iyung mga iba permanent, sementado."
Pacquiao and Boracay West Cove
[PHOTO - A resort builds a stone seawall at Diniwid Beach (photo by Elena Brugger) Resorts whose seawalls built too
close to the shore also contribute to sand erosion.]
He cited the Waling-waling resort and West Cove, which made headlines after
they were linked to boxing superstar and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao has admitted helping a close friend secure papers for the
controversial Boracay West Cove resort project.
Paje said West Cove gained a permit but only to develop 900 square meters of
land.
"Latest na pinuntahan namin, 9,000 (square meters) na (developed)," he said.
"In effect, wala siyang permit sa 8,000 more."
He said the local government has issued a demolition order on the West Cove
project but the resort owner has reportedly sued the mayor.
"Ang sabi niya sa amin, kinasuhan siya," Paje said. "Nasa court na iyon."
Aquino forms group to tackle Boracay
[PHOTO - Diniwid Beach, photo taken in 2009 with obvious signs of sand
erosion. UNESCO, in its climate change publications, suggested that every
centimeter rise in water level results in a one-meter beach erosion. From
climate change alone, Boracay is already fated to shed off portions of its
reputed 4-kilometer White Beach.]
The environment chief said President Benigno Aquino has expressed serious
concern about the issue.
"Nag-create siya ng grupo, si (Tourism Secretary) Ramon Jimenez, ako, si
(Interior Secretary) Jesse Robredo at DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima. Sinama namin
si Health Secretary Enrique Ona."
Paje said said the committee is making recommendations to the President
regarding solutions to the problems in Boracay and Baguio City.
"Mayroon akong initial recommendation. Sa Boracay, we are recommending to
create a separate office na supposedly para authority pero kailangan ng batas
doon. Gusto namin mag-create ng office muna," he said.
"Ang gusto ni Presidente, makita is you have the real governance sa Boracay,"
he added.
No build zone
[PHOTO - Sand erosion in extreme station 1, where sewerage pipes are
exposed]
He said because the Supreme Court has already made rulings in similar cases,
the committee has recommended that the easement portion area of the 4-kilometer
white sand beach in Boracay be enforced.
"Walang Boracay kung wala iyung white sand," Paje said. "Ang objective natin
is to protect that. Kailangan, no build zone."
"The commitee is determined. If we cannot do this in a small island like
Boracay, wala na tayong magagawa sa iba pang malalaking lugar. We really have to
put discipline there," he said.
"Ang instruction sa akin, make sure kapag inimplement niyo iyan, isama ninyo
si [Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse] Robredo atsaka iyung pulis,"
he said. "Ayaw natin na magiging lip service. Gustong ipatupad talaga."
Land use plan not implemented
He said all resort development projects in Boracay have temporarily stopped
pending the full implementation of the committee's recommendations.
"May land use plan na iyan, 2008, nabuo na ng Department of Tourism, kaso
hindi maimplement dahil kinukulang sa political will," he said.
"The President is serious about it. Ang sabi, ipatupad iyan," he said.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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