PARADISE TOSSED

Fight over dev’t of the‘next Boracay’ brewing

BORACAY – Who owns Carabao Island, dubbed as the “next Boracay” owing to its white sand beaches and pristine waters? The island is also near Boracay – only 25 minutes by boat from the world-famous island resort.
Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano recently announced that a Korean real estate company will start constructing an international airport at Carabao Island, part of San Jose town in Romblon.
Aside from constructing the airport, Durano said part of the island was also leased to the Euro Asia and Group Holding, a Korean company headed by Byoung-Youn Park, to put up commercial establishments at the island.
Carabao Island is also dubbed as the “sister island” of Boracay. But unlike Boracay, it has an all-year round spring water that can even supply fresh water demand of Boracay Island Resorts and neighboring communities.
But the plan to develop Carabao Island -- which is considered the best alternative to the already crowded and noisy Boracay -- has been on the table as early 2005, as the Boracay Property Holdings, Inc. has already secured permits and necessary documents needed in improving the place, including the construction of an international airport that will service tourists.
Ilonggo businessman Steve Tajanlangit, one of the owners of Boracay Property Holdings (BPH), questioned the legality of the Korean firm’s permit to develop the island.
He said they (BHP) have secured a mayor’s permit to develop infrastructures and building establishments in the island. He claimed that the Sangguniang Panlalagiwan of Romblon even issued a resolution granting the BPH to develop the place.
BPH is the firm that developed Boracay Island, which receives more than half a million tourists a year.
The same firm, according to Tajanlangit, will also take charge in constructing an international airport on the island.
At present, the Caticlan Airport in Malay, Aklan services only small aircraft of the Southeast Asian Airlines and Asian Spirit while large aircraft flies to Kalibo, Aklan.
CARABAO ISLAND

Carabao Island got its name from its physical appearance – it look like a carabao lying in the sea. It is part of San Jose town south of Romblon.
The island is a 15-minute boat ride from the smaller island of Boracay, and has the same white sand beaches and pristine waters.
According to Secretary Durano, Carabao Island is about four times the size of Boracay.Durano said the development of Carabao Island will relieve Boracay of too much pressure from tourists.
In 2005, Boracay recorded 304,358 tourist arrivals. It increased to 335,847 in 2006, mainly from Koreans with 46,447 arrivals or 59.13 percent of the total foreign tourists, followed by the Americans with 6,368 arrivals.
Durano said this Holy Week alone, tourist arrivals in Boracay reached 27,000 visitors, compared to only 16,000 in last year’s Holy Week.
Carabao Island is a perfect hideaway for those who prefer quiet and solitude, a few minutes away from Boracay’s beach crowd. The place is also a haven for snorkeling and scuba diving, as a few steps from the shore is a seaweed and coral gardens.
At Carabao Island, one can find white beaches and coves in its natural status. It is Boracay way back in the 1980s when it was not yet fully commercialized.
MASTERPLAN FOR THE ISLAND

Aside from constructing an international airport with a 4,000-meter runway, Ma. Victoria Jasmin, director of the Office of Tourism Standards, said the Korean firm plans to integrate resort development which will include construction of hotels, resorts and retirement villages.
The Korean firm reportedly aims of building an international airport that is capable of handling large Airbus or Boeing planes that will bring passengers to Boracay.According to her, the Korean master plan is to develop Carabao Island as a major attraction with Boracay as Day 2 destination.