MALACAÑANG on Monday, March 19, assured that the planned shutdown of Boracay Island will not be permanent.
"It is not acceptable to permanently close Boracay. There's no possibility of permanent closure. It is only steps that must be undertaken to protect the environment of Boracay," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. told reporters in Nabua, Camarines Sur.
"What the President has said is he will be fair in his decision on what to do in Boracay and he is the President who listens. Whatever he does on Boracay is intended for the welfare of Boracay," he added.
Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to see the recommendation of the task force led by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo, and Local Government officer-in-charge Undersecretary Eduardo Año.
The task force on March 15 recommended the one-year shutdown of the island to pave the way for its rehabilitation.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned that around P56 billion in tourism receipts would be lost while more than 17,000 people would lose their jobs if the island is shut down for a year. Boracay generates two out of three jobs in Western Visayas region, Department of Tourism (DOT) records show.
Roque said Duterte would take into account the small resort owners' plight when he makes a decision on Boracay's fate.
"If there's one thing to do in Boracay, let's say, there will be partial closure, it is to ensure that Boracay will be viable for the next generations to come. So that is a remedial measure to make sure that the environment is protected, and that we will ensure that the jewel that is Boracay will be shared by the coming generations," he said.
"He (Duterte said), 'When I decide on Boracay, I will consider the plight of the small resort owners.' Because they will be worstly hit [by the decision]. Big-time resort owners will have no problems in the temporary closure of Boracay. So let's wait from the final directive of the President," Roque added.
On February 9, the President threatened to close Boracay to tourists because of the island's waste management and sewage problems.
He also threatened to file charges against local officials for "serious neglect of duty" that led to environmental problems on the island.
The President had given the inter-agency task force six months to come up with recommendations on how to rehabilitate Boracay. (SunStar Philippines)