Boracay group opposes Caticlan airport upgrade

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and its private proponent for the P2.5-billion Caticlan airport upgrade face opposition from the community when they break ground for the project this week.

The 3,000-member strong Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) vowed to demonstrate the community’s disapproval of the proposed expansion of the Caticlan airport due to the environmental effects of a plan to level a hill beside the airport.

Henry Chusuey, BFI chairman and head of a five-star resort in the world-famous tourist mecca, said their group would intensify their lobby efforts to solicit the support of the Aklan provincial government to their cause because of the project’s adverse environmental impact on the beaches of Boracay, which draws a million tourists annually.

The BFI learned that President Arroyo and other ranking government officials would proceed with the groundbreaking tomorrow allegedly even without public consultations on the P2.5-billion build-rehabilitate-operate-transfer project.

Chusuey said their members oppose the plan of the Caticlan International Airport Development Corp. to level the hill for the upgrading of the airport without the environmental concerns and problems being fully studied and addressed.

“Leveling the hill to make way for the international airport in Caticlan would lead to ecological disaster,” Chusuey said in the foundation’s approved resolution forwarded to Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez.

“As discussed by several concerned environmental groups,” he said, “cutting the hill would cause irreversible effects to Boracay’s unique micro-climate and ultimately damage Boracay’s ecosystem, including its famous white beach.”

The BFI board resolution also “supports limited development of the Caticlan airport to enhance safety for domestic operations only.”

Chusuey said the international airport should be in Kalibo for the good of the environment and the greater part of Aklan province.