Boracay resort exec decries raps

MANILA, Philippines - Boracay West Cove chief operating officer Crisanto Aquino has cried foul over what he dismissed as baseless accusations hurled against the resort by certain quarters.

“The consequent negative publicity has tainted our name and reputation internationally and locally,” Aquino said in a statement yesterday.

Recently, West Cove received the International Star for Quality Leadership 2013 award in Paris for excellence in tourism promotion and quality service. 

“(It’s) a highly coveted Gold category award we have worked so hard to win,” Aquino said. Last year, West Cove also received another Excellence Award.

Aquino said all their business activities are lawful and supported by legal documents.

“All (the resort’s) structures, buildings and improvements were built and constructed in accordance with the Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism Purposes granted by the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources),” he said.

“We would also like to reiterate the fact that West Cove, being nestled on a cliff, has no beachfront and therefore is not covered by the 30-meter easement requirement,” he said.

“Last year’s demolition of some parts of West Cove had no legal basis. The order issued by the local government unit had no basis in fact and deprived us of our constitutionally guaranteed right to due process and equal protection,” he added.