NEDA crafts Boracay recovery program

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is drawing up an investment program to help in Boracay Island’s economic recovery following a six-month rehabilitation period.

NEDA Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro said the investment program is in line with Boracay’s placement under a state of calamity on the first day of its six-month temporary closure on April 26.

The state of calamity covers the three barangays of Boracay: Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak.

“We’re coming up with an investment program for Boracay’s rehabilitation and recovery,” she said.

Navarro said NEDA is helping various agencies identify projects necessary for reinvigorating the economy of the tourist site after its temporary closure.

Several private companies have also committed to undertake projects on the island, she said.

Boracay, which attracts about two million tourists every year, has been closed to non-residents for cleanup and rehabilitation, but is scheduled to open on Oct. 25.

The declaration of a state of calamity on the island would speed up the release of funds for rehabilitation. Projects could also be implemented without public bidding.

In the proclamation, President Duterte said the continuous rise of tourist arrivals, insufficient sewer and waste management system and environmental violations of establishments aggravate the environmental degradation and
destroy the ecological balance of Boracay.

The six-month closure is expected to cost the economy some P1.9 billion and affect 35,000 workers.

State agencies were instructed to undertake remedial measures like control of the prices of goods and commodities for the affected areas and tapping of negotiated procurement for relief and rehabilitation of affected areas.