Palace: Boracay a lesson in political will, a warning against neglect by officials

MANILA, Philippines — Everyone should learn lessons from the deterioration and subsequent closure of Boracay, Malacañang said, as it lauded agencies involved in the rehabilitation of the world-famous tourist destination. 

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said what happened to Boracay was a "lesson [in] political will" as shown by President Rodrigo Duterte and was a "lesson [on] neglect, misfeasance and malfeasance by responsible persons in office."

"The cesspool that was Boracay would not have happened if political will was exhibited by those in authority and if only officials of the island paradise, as well as the stakeholders, operated following the law and the rules and regulations of pertinent government agencies," Panelo said in a statement released Saturday night. 

"It has to take the strong and decisive leadership of the president to put things in order and we should all learn from these lessons so that Boracay will become an attraction not only in this country but in the world," he added. 

Panelo said Duterte was "pleased" with what has happened in Boracay, which was reopened to tourists on Friday. 

"We commend the different departments for the evolution and development of Boracay, as well as the patience and cooperation of everyone," the presidential spokesman said. 

Last April, Duterte ordered the six-month closure of Boracay, which he said had degenerated into a cesspool because of the lack of a sewerage system and the neglect of some local officials. 

He has also issued Proclamation No. 475 placing the island under a state of calamity to enable agencies to carry out rehabilitation work. 

The state of calamity covered the three barangays on Boracay—Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak.

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

The island was reopened to the public Friday with officials promising to strictly implement measures against littering, the holding of parties and bringing of pets on beaches, and the drinking of alcohol and smoking in public areas. 

The number of tourists on the island would also be limited to 19,215 on any given day to avoid overcrowding.

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