DENR Cimatu on Boracay re-opening: Much work remains to be done

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Environment chief Roy Cimatu appealed for ‘extended patience, support and understanding’ of stakeholders on the ongoing massive rehabilitation and recovery efforts in Boracay Island.

PHOTO AKLAN FORUM JOURNAL

Cimatu graced the Aklan Day “Salubungan” on October 15 to recognize the sacrifices of Aklanons and Boracaynons after the national government closed the island for six months to tourists.

The temporary closure, he said, tested the limits of patience of thousands of affected workers, residents and establishment owners.

President Rodrigo Duterte decided to shut down the island on April 26 to address the environment issues, even tagging the island a ‘cesspool’. The barangays of Yapak, Manoc-Manoc and Balabag were also declared under state of calamity.

“This is not the time to relax and lower our guards, much work remains to be done for Boracay,“ Cimatu said.

Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) also removed the cesspool-tag of Boracay at the start of 10-day dry run. The dry run will assess the preparations of stakeholders and national agencies and to check the status of environment interventions of BIATF before the scheduled October 26 re-opening.

“Nakangiti na ngayon ang mga taga Boracay. Ito ay dahil sa pagpakita ninyo ng sakripisyo  sa pagsara ng Boracay. This is your day. Today is the rebirth of Boracay lsland from being dubbed as cesspool. We offer to you now - a better Boracay. Napakalinis na ang tubig sa main beach," Cimatu said.

Also gracing the ““Salubungan” were Aklan governor Florencio Miraflores, tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, transportation secretary Arthur Tugade, public works secretary Mark Villar and interior and local government secretary Eduardo Ano and local officials of Malay, Aklan. 

Cimatu also assured the stakeholders that they will monitor the rehabilitation works, the water quality and the solid waste management in the island.

“Let’s bring the wealth and renowned beauty of Boracay to our present and current generations to come. We make good of our promise to open a better Boracay for six months, even earlier. It is made possible by the support, sacrifices and cooperation of the stakeholders and different government agencies,” Cimatu stressed.