LGU Malay, private sectors intensify beach management initiativesBY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
BORACAY - The local of government of Malay partnered with environment-friendly Petron Corporation and San Miguel Corporation in the launching of Boracay Beach Management Program (BBMP) in this island of Boracay.
The launching was supported by the Boracay Foundation, Inc. (BFI), Petron Foundation, Inc., Boracay Island Water Company, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Boracay chapter, Department of Tourism-Boracay and the Aklan Provincial Tourism Council.
To promote the multi-sectoral involvement for sustainable development of the island, the local government of Malay under the leadership of Mayor John Yap has intensified its anti-littering and no smoking campaign in the island.“The beach management program focuses on anti-littering and banning smoking in the beachfront. These are our individual and collective responses in the environmental issues and concerns confronting Boracay Island,” Yap stressed.
The Anti-Smoking Ordinance No. 272 series of 2009 aims to enforce the no-smoking policy for foreign tourists and locals in the famous White Beach.
The local government also beefed up its drive with 'environmental enforcers' or municipal auxiliary police to implement Municipal Ordinance No. 100 or an ordinance prohibiting the littering and throwing of garbage or any kind of waste in public places.
Under Section 48 of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, littering is an environmental offense which also prohibits the dumping of waste in the sidewalks, parks, canals, roads, establishments and esteros.
Last April, the Boracay Foundation, Inc. (BFI) and Petron Foundation, Inc. held a scientific forum and workshop for the sustainable development of the island in partnership with the provincial government of Aklan, the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
This is a good start and I hope this new ordinance is strictly enforced for the whole island and not just on the beaches. There is just too much trash on the island.
ReplyDeleteHowever I see enforcement of this will not be done seriously. I have read many of the municipal "laws" for Boracay and have never if rarely seen any of them enforced. There is a lot of selective enforment of "laws" all over the Phils.
It's about time! I hope the gov't will impose this ordinance. Boracay has a bad reputation about garbage every where. Tourist and locals should learn how to take care of Boracay.
ReplyDeleteIf Boracay wants to compete to different tourist distination in Asia or in the world, anti-littering law should be enforced strictly or to the dot.
ReplyDeleteAmen...but can it be implemented/enforced? With the corrupt local leaders in Aklan and Malay, not to mentioned Selfish and greedy businessmen in Boracay, I doubt it!
ReplyDeleteWell, hope that they will not only look into the garbage problem but also the rampant snatching and pick pocketing along the beach. It's really disgusting because instead of enjoying the scenic beauty of Boracay, you will end up crying for the lost valuable items from a hard earned money. Thank you! Hope that the concerned Authority will look into this matter.
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