Noy forms group to preserve Baguio, Boracay

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has ordered the preservation of Boracay Island and Baguio City as these two leading tourist destinations are suffering from degradation.

The President issued Memorandum Circular No. 47 enjoining all departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the national government and local government units (LGUs) to actively support the technical working group on Baguio City and Boracay for the preparation of comprehensive plans and programs to preserve and develop these places.

Baguio City and Boracay are leading tourist destinations that are considered national assets, the President said.

“Rapid growth, commercialization, and the lack of a comprehensive development and zoning plan have caused the degradation and deterioration of the two localities,” he said.

The President directed the secretaries of the tourism, environment and natural resources, interior and local government and justice departments to constitute a technical working group to review the “environmental, commercial, tourism and law and order situation” in Baguio City and Boracay to develop comprehensive plans to preserve these vital national assets.

Aquino said there is a need to ensure the full support and cooperation of all officials and employees of government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations, for the successful completion of the technical working group’s tasks and functions.

The President designated the tourism secretary as the group’s coordinator to ensure proper formulation and full integration of social and economic policies, plans and programs.

He directed the group to work with all stakeholders, including the LGUs concerned, in preparing and implementing the plans and programs, and to submit regular reports to his office.