Lawmaker wants strict ECC re-issuance for Boracay establishments

MANILA, Philippines — Clear guidelines for the re-application of environmental compliance certificates (ECC) in Boracay should be put in place to avoid corruption in the application process, Senate Committee on Tourism chair Sen. Nancy Binay said.

In a statement, Binay said the recommendation of Task Force Boracay to revoke and suspend all ECCs and business permits of establishments operating in Boracay may be necessary, but government must make sure that re-applications would have guidelines that are clear, simple, practical and the procedures are efficient, transparent, and corruption-free.

Binay said she understands the necessity to rescind all permits of businesses operating in the island to give government and the people a “fresh start,” but re-applying may be too cumbersome and compliance could be prone to corruption.

She said there should be only one unified checklist for compliance to make it simple.

“It should be clear and simple to understand, reasonable, and practical to comply with. The process of compliance must be efficient, transparent, and free from any opportunity to elicit favors from the applicant,” Binay said.

Binay added that she also wants both national and local governments to shoulder the fees and other payments needed for applying permits.

“To be fair, let everyone be given a fresh start. Everybody applies (for a business permit and ECC) again, and it is also fitting for government to extend them the courtesy to re-apply and waive the fees except for payment of taxes. Besides, everyone benefits from second chances and it’s an opportunity to be inspired, turn their fortunes around, and give the people of Boracay the needed boost,” she added.

She said while environmental and legal compliance of establishments are still being reviewed, stakeholders have a chance to make the necessary corrections to ensure full compliance for them to operate.

“Let’s start on the right foot. This is where we get to start fresh and be accountable for the environment,” Binay said, adding that she hopes the re-application process would not be used as a fund-raising activity.

Meanwhile, Binay emphasized that local and national government agencies should provide guidance that simply goes beyond complying with the checklists and other legal requirements.

“Government should help stakeholders understand the value of Boracay Island in the social, environmental and human contexts and not only on the economic perspective. Establishment should also understand the importance of the carrying capacity and their optimum limit,” Binay said.

She also suggested that a unified system of accreditation, policy and regulation be recommended by Task Force Boracay to avoid any confusion of specific types of information and regulatory requirement. 

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who heads Task Force Boracay, recently issued a memorandum circular ordering the suspension of all existing ECCs and business permits vis-à-vis their compliance with local and national laws.

“To avoid another systemic failure in the future, it is best to restart and correct whatever wrong settings there may be, in order for establishments to be fully compliant with existing laws and environmental policies,” Binay said.

The lawmaker said there is also a need to cast away man-made factors that contribute to the unsustainability of Boracay. She added that other island destinations should also follow this direction.

“The necessary rebooting of Boracay makes Mother Nature hopeful of a better future for the island and its people. The people depend on the natural capital which is made up of forests and wetlands with rich biodiversity, and Boracay’s pristine waters – let’s not let this go to waste,” she said.

Cimatu has ordered the review of existing ECCs, which will take into consideration the results of the cadastral mapping that defines land ownership and the carrying capacity study.

A committee composed of attached agencies Environmental Management Bureau and Mines and Geosciences Bureau will also be created to review all Boracay establishments’ compliance with all existing ECCs and environmental management plans.

The committee is required to submit a report to the DENR chief, either for the lifting of suspension or cancellation as those compliant establishments will be the only ones to be allowed to operate once Boracay reopens on Oct. 26.