The Department of Tourism (DOT) enjoins the public in a comprehensive intra-agency effort to save Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan from further degradation caused by seawater pollution in some of its areas, and restore it to its natural condition that earned it? the accolade, the “World’s Best Island.”
This early, the DOT imparts its word of appreciation to the stakeholders who have extended support and cooperation to the clean-up program (#saveboracay), a joint action between the DOT, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in compliance to directive of President Rodrigo R. Duterte regain the paradise in six months.
To prevent continued harmful disposal of wastewater into the seas surrounding the island’s three barangays (Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapac), the DOT is imposing a six-month moratorium on accreditation during which resorts and other establishments must acquire and maintain individual water treatment facility, as well as connect to the centralized sewerage system.
The DOT, in coordination with the DENR and DILG, is determined to press appropriate criminal and administrative charges against those establishments/operators responsible for the seawater contamination in violation of environmental and tourism laws.
While there is no definitive plan to place Boracay under a state-of-calamity or to close Boracay to international and domestic visitors altogether, the DOT shares the optimism of well-meaning and law-abiding stakeholder operators that Boracay Island will be completely restored in six month-period.
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