Manila Bulletin, Philippines : Boracay Island needs an effective environmental protection program

31/08/2003

Boracay Island needs an effective environmental protection program

by Yul Malicse

BORACAY ISLAND, Malay, Aklan – The country’s top tourist destination, Boracay Island, is seriously in need of an effective environmental protection program according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“Call it negligence or tolerance, but government environmental protection program, obviously looks like hitting an empty subject,” observed visiting environmental protection specialists from DENR. They added that violations are rampant, making the local government unit and its action teams seem helpless. Solid and liquid wastes are not placed at the designated dumping areas.

DENR said that there must be a strong initiative from the more than 200 owners and operators of these tourism-oriented establishments, including resorts, hotels, restaurants, beerhouses, videoke sing-along outlets, and “talipapas” (small and make-shift markets) to observe cleanliness and sanitation.

“Environmental protection is not the sole job of the government, it must be a joint task of both the government and the private sector, the owners of tourist entities, plus commercial entities engaged in construction, public works and highways,” they pointed out.