Boracay undergoes an Ecological ‘Makeover’
BY VINCE G. LOPEZ
The ongoing Boracay Island sewage project aims to provide clean potable water to the whole community.
Coming soon in Boracay: More tourists and more clean, safe and potable water.
The country’s premier tourism destination is currently undergoing a comprehensive infrastructure program that will provide the island with a 100 percent water supply and sewerage coverage.
The much-needed ecological “makeover” will dramatically address the concerns of water pollution as well as to ensure that water is made readily available to island visitors.
The project is spearheaded by the Boracay Island Water Company, Inc. (BIWC), a joint venture company between Manila Water Company, Inc. and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA). The said project was undertaken through a memorandum of agreement signed by Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Ace Durano and Manila Water Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala as key witnesses, in accordance with the terms and requirements of the 2008 NEDA Joint Venture Guidelines for Government Corporations and the Private Sector.
Under the agreement, the JV Company was tasked to develop and operate the existing Boracay Water Supply and Sewerage System (BWSS) in Malay, Aklan. Under the joint venture, the authorized capital stock of the JV Company shall be PhP300 million whereby Manila Water’s equity contribution shall be 80 percent while PTA’s equity contribution shall be 20 percent.
Durano said the public — private sector partnership can be likened to a ‘grand slam win,’ noting four key factors such as “support infrastructure as an integral component of sustainable tourism development; the elimination of the water and sewerage constraint, benefiting both existing and new investments in the island; protection and conservation of the natural beauty of Boracay; and the creation of new jobs for locals.”
“In 2009, there were 4,000 additional rooms in Boracay alone. More flights are also available, and while this signals a vibrant market, we want to ensure that the island can cope with the increasing demand from tourists, more so now that the global economy is on a gradual upswing,” added Durano.
Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr. elaborated that “Preserving the island’s ecological wealth is our foremost priority. Promoting the sought-after destination to travellers also entails guaranteeing that the island can provide safe water to the local community and to tourists.”
Manila Water has an existing concession in the East Zone of Metro Manila with a customer base of around 5.6 million people. Since the start of operations in 1997, the company has already increased 24-hour water coverage to 99 percent from 26 percent and reduced water losses from 63 percent to less than 20 percent.
Coming soon in Boracay: More tourists and more clean, safe and potable water.
The country’s premier tourism destination is currently undergoing a comprehensive infrastructure program that will provide the island with a 100 percent water supply and sewerage coverage.
The much-needed ecological “makeover” will dramatically address the concerns of water pollution as well as to ensure that water is made readily available to island visitors.
The project is spearheaded by the Boracay Island Water Company, Inc. (BIWC), a joint venture company between Manila Water Company, Inc. and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA). The said project was undertaken through a memorandum of agreement signed by Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Ace Durano and Manila Water Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala as key witnesses, in accordance with the terms and requirements of the 2008 NEDA Joint Venture Guidelines for Government Corporations and the Private Sector.
Under the agreement, the JV Company was tasked to develop and operate the existing Boracay Water Supply and Sewerage System (BWSS) in Malay, Aklan. Under the joint venture, the authorized capital stock of the JV Company shall be PhP300 million whereby Manila Water’s equity contribution shall be 80 percent while PTA’s equity contribution shall be 20 percent.
Durano said the public — private sector partnership can be likened to a ‘grand slam win,’ noting four key factors such as “support infrastructure as an integral component of sustainable tourism development; the elimination of the water and sewerage constraint, benefiting both existing and new investments in the island; protection and conservation of the natural beauty of Boracay; and the creation of new jobs for locals.”
“In 2009, there were 4,000 additional rooms in Boracay alone. More flights are also available, and while this signals a vibrant market, we want to ensure that the island can cope with the increasing demand from tourists, more so now that the global economy is on a gradual upswing,” added Durano.
Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr. elaborated that “Preserving the island’s ecological wealth is our foremost priority. Promoting the sought-after destination to travellers also entails guaranteeing that the island can provide safe water to the local community and to tourists.”
Manila Water has an existing concession in the East Zone of Metro Manila with a customer base of around 5.6 million people. Since the start of operations in 1997, the company has already increased 24-hour water coverage to 99 percent from 26 percent and reduced water losses from 63 percent to less than 20 percent.
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