Boracay land issue: Defensor blinks

Malacañang will now allow Boracay residents and resort owners to apply for judicial titles for their lands, in lieu of the public bidding under Presidential Proclamation 1064 that would eject them out of their investments.

The announcement was made by presidential chief of staff Mike Defensor following the advice of opposition leader Sorsogon Rep. Francis Escudero, who expressed his concern over the local residents and resort owners’ losing their properties under PP 1064.

Defensor said Escudero explained at length how the resort owners and stake holders will lose their investments in developing Boracay into what is now known as among the world’s best beach resorts.

"Nagpapasalamat kami na naliwanagan kami sa kasong ito (we are grateful that Escudero enlightened us over this issue)," Defensor said.

Defensor, then environment and natural resources secretary, had recommended over half of the island resort be classified as public agricultural land open for public bidding under PP 1064.

Defensor clarified the government, through PP 1064 declaring 628 hectares of the 1,024-hectare island as forest and farmland, does not intend to take away the land from the locals.

He said this was so because public bidding was the only process he knew and which he recommended.

Defensor made the gesture in the weekly debate program "Square Off" aired over ABS-CBN News Channel where he was joined by Escudero who also declared his plans to run for the Senate in the May 2007 elections.

"Kung talagang klaro iyan (judicial titling), wala tayong magiging problema. One hundred percent tayo diyan. We want them to have titles. The government will not take away their lands. The process is a secondary matter. The policy is very clear, we want you to have titles," he said.

Defensor explained the purpose of PP 1064 is to put all issues in the proper order, not to eject the resort owner or resident and grab whatever investment he has made on the land.

"We want you (residents and resort owners) to develop the tourism industry in Boracay. What is clear is that Proclamation 1064 facilitates ownership of the land," Defensor said.

Escudero, for his part, thanked his former colleague in Congress for heeding his advice.

"It’s nice to come to an agreement once in a while. I’m thankful that Secretary Defensor is open to other avenues to explore," he said.

Escudero said the government must do what has been agreed on with Defensor.

"If this is done, I don’t think we should be facing problems," he said.

Escudero suggested government lawyers should not withdraw in arguing the case before the Supreme Court (SC) and help the resort owners and residents in Boracay apply for land titles.

Boracay resort owners and businessmen led by Orlando Sacay had filed a petition seeking the recall of PP 1064 before the Supreme Court on fears that they will be ejected from the island and lose their land holdings.

Sacay noted any SC ruling over the issue would be crucial since it will set a precedent on all other similarly situated land disputes.

Sacay also accused the government of deliberately withholding the suggestion of judicial titling to end the dispute.

He claimed the concealment was part of the government’s plans to unilaterally take over Boracay and control its multibillion tourism potentials.