ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu is backing plans of rehabilitating Baguio City.
“Rehabilitation will take time. If ever there will be some moves in the future, were gladly be with you in giving support in terms of technical, in terms of advice based in our experiences, para naman po mas safe,” said the environment secretary.
“Pag-akyat ko palang sa Baguio, kita ko na talaga maraming mga buildings na nakalagay sa no build zone, maraming mga areas na hindi masyadong sewage system, iyong basura dinadala pa. This are the things na puwedeng maayos but Baguio is still Baguio. Pupuntahan pa rin ng tao iyan,” adds Cimatu.
Cimatu added he is satisfied with the rehabilitation of popular tourist destination Boracay after it was closed for six months.
“Ito ay na - accomplish na natin except iyong kalsada. Na-overtaken kami ng ulan, medyo nadelay tayo. We are waiting for a law that would be passed by Congress going eventually who will manage Boracay,” Cimatu added aside from local government unit managing Boracay, the agency will be present for its rehabilitation aspect of two years.
“After two years, it’s either they will continue, or a new law will be passed to manage Boracay,” Cimatu manifested.
In 2013, a task force was created to review the environmental, commercial, tourism, and law and order situation in Baguio and Boracay for the purpose of developing comprehensive plans to preserve these vital national assets.
A circular also directed all officials and employees of government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations and local government units to support and cooperate with the task force in the preparation and implementation of comprehensive plans for both localities.