Palace: Boracay a lesson of political will, a warning against the negligence of officials

Palace: Boracay a lesson of political will, a warning against the negligence of officials

Alexis Romero (philstar.com) – October 27, 2018 at 3:49 pm

MANILA, Philippines – Everyone should learn from the deterioration and closure of Boracay, said Malacañang, hailing the agencies involved in the rehabilitation of the world-renowned tourist destination.

President Salvador Panelo's spokesman said that what happened in Boracay was a "lesson to be learned" [in] political will, "as President Rodrigo Duterte has shown, was a" lesson [on] negligence, wrongdoing and malpractices on the part of the people in charge. "

"The cesspool in Boracay would not have occurred if the authorities had shown political will and if only the leaders of the island paradise, as well as the stakeholders, acted in accordance with the law and the rules and regulations. regulations of the relevant government agencies, "Panelo said in a statement released Saturday night.

"The president, strong and decisive, must put everything in order and we should all learn from these lessons so that Boracay becomes an attraction not only in this country, but in the world," he added.

Panelo said Duterte was "satisfied" with what happened in Boracay, which was reopened to tourists on Friday.

"We congratulate the different departments for the evolution and development of Boracay, as well as for the patience and cooperation of everyone," said the presidential spokesman.

Last April, Duterte ordered the closure of Boracay for a period of six months, which would have degenerated into a sump because of the lack of a sewage system and the negligence of some local officials.

It also promulgated Proclamation No. 475 placing the island in a disastrous state to allow agencies to carry out rehabilitation works.

The state of calamity covered the three barangays of Boracay: Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak.

Agencies were urged to take corrective measures such as controlling the prices of goods and commodities for the affected areas and taking advantage of negotiated purchases for the relief and rehabilitation of the affected areas.

The island was reopened to the public Friday with officials promising to implement strict measures against littering, organizing parties and bringing pets to the beaches , as well as the consumption of alcohol and tobacco in public places.

The number of tourists on the island would also be limited to 19,215 a day in order to avoid overcrowding.