AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Tourism (DOT) said the looming closure of Borcay on April 26 serves as a wake up call for the stakeholders of the tourism industry to put the environment first above money.
"This is a wake up call for everybody... we have many environmental laws ang kailangan lang ng local government unit to be involved and strictly adhere to these laws," Eden Josephine David, DOT assistant secretary, said during an interview at the sidelines of the Naitas-Davao Travel and Trade Show 2018 at the Abreeza Mall yesterday.
David said if no one will adhere to the laws, there will be another Boracay waiting to happen.
"We have been milking Boracay for so long for tourism, we have to admit that. Hindi na natin kailangan magsacrifice ng environment to earn," she said.
David said what DOT secretary Wanda Teo is more concerned about right now is for the next generation and the policy direction that are being set.
"This is so people will have a mindset that it is not only about the money but also the future generation to be able to have that kind of stakeholdership of what it is really to be part of the tourism industry -- you are not only here for the money but you are taking part for the responsibility of the environment and its sustainability," David said.
On Wednesday, April 4, President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation of the inter-agency task force on Boracay to close the famous beach destination for six months starting April 26.
The temporary closure is seen by the National Government as a short-term solution to address the environmental woes hounding Boracay.
With the closure, Local Government Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing III said the government might lose roughly P20 billion in gross receipts if the closure of the island lasts six months.
"If we will go through the full six months, it could reach around P18 (billion) to P20 billion potential loss in gross receipts. That's why it is not to the interest of everybody to go the full six months. We have to fast track everything," he said.
Meanwhile, Boracay stakeholders are still awaiting guidelines on the six-month closure of the resort island.
“We are ready to do our part/share as the business community, and we seek and need clarity (on) the exact plan,” the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Boracay chapter said in a statement Thursday night, April 5.
The chamber, led by President Elena Tosco Brugger, vowed that they “will be part of the solution.”
Another group, Boracay Foundation Inc., said in a separate statement that they are as confused as the rest of the community because the declaration to shut down Boracay beginning April 26 was made “with no clear and specific guidelines.”
If a request for dialogue is granted, the foundation will ask, among others: “What are the specific closure and rehabilitation plan and timeline?” (With SunStar Philippines)