New Boracay resort told to submit wildlife plan

The Environment Management Bureau (EMB) asked an international hotel chain developing a new spa resort in Boracay to submit a comprehensive program to protect and preserve wildlife on the island.

This, amid concerns from environmental advocates that the construction of the $75-million Shangri-La Resort and Spa, Boracay is allegedly adversely affecting the natural habitat of fruit bats in the premier tourist destination.

Last December, though, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, which is developing the new Boracay property, said in response to some environmental concerns that it has been working with environmental experts and community leaders "to take some actions."

The global hotel chain gave assurances that it is "keenly aware" of its "responsibilities regarding environmental issues relating to its existing properties and projects under development."

"We are particularly sensitive to the development of the Shangri-La Resort and Spa, Boracay. Special care must be exercised to protect and preserve this very special location, by and for local residents, Shangri-La staff and visitors," it said in a statement, a copy of which was furnished The STAR.

EMB director Lolibeth Medrano said the company should submit its comprehensive program to protect and preserve the island’s wildlife within 15 days from Wednesday, otherwise it would be fined P50,000 per day for allegedly violating a condition in the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) which it secured on July 25 last year.

Based on its monitoring, the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zones Management Services reported that about two hectares of the project site have allegedly been cleared of naturally grown vegetation, including trees which fruit bats inhabited.

But Ricardo Benjamin Jr., of the EMB’s Boracay sub-office, disputed this in a memorandum, saying the construction of the new spa resort "will never encroach" into the wildlife habitat.

According to Benjamin, the fruit bats’ habitat is located about 300 meters away from the site’s northern boundary.

He said the fruit bats’ purported habitat on the site’s southern boundary was only a "temporary resting place."

"Based on observations, bats always change (their) resting place from time to time," he stated in his memorandum.

In its earlier statement, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts said environmental studies were conducted prior to any work at the site, including an environmental impact assessment in May 2005 and an ECC two months later.

"We strive to adhere to all local laws and regulations pertaining to construction practices in relation to environmental standards and protection," it said.

Shangri-La added that a team of highly qualified environmental consultants has been advising it during the design and construction period "on the most effective means of preserving the landscape and its ecosystems for many generations to enjoy."

"We feel that responsible environmental practices are a key component of being a socially responsible corporate citizen. The locations in which we open hotels will be our homes as well, as we become active members of the local communities, employ our neighbors, and work with local suppliers," said Shangri-La, a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Environmental Initiative.

In fact, it said its 47 properties, including four in the Philippines — Edsa Shangri-La, Makati Shangri-La, Shangri-La’s Mactan, and Traders Hotel — implement "green programs, and that it targets all of them to be environmentally certified (19 have been awarded ISO 14001 so far).

President Arroyo led the ground-breaking of the Shangri-La Resort and Spa, Boracay in April last year.

In a press statement in January 2005, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts said the new spa resort, which it expects to open in mid-2007, will have 170 large guestrooms and 50 deluxe villas on an 11-hectare area in the island’s northern part.

The spa resort will also provide the largest meeting and banquet facilities on the island, consisting of a 600-square meter ballroom and 400 square meters of function rooms.