Boracay resort owners reminded on easement

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas yesterday warned resort owners on Boracay Island in Aklan to comply with the 30-meter wide easement of the shoreline or face demolition.

Roxas personally went to Boracay to see the compliance of resort owners to Presidential Proclamation 1064, which extended from 25 meters to 30 meters the easement of the shoreline.

So far, Roxas said 93 percent of the 3,000 establishments from Stations 1 to 3 on the resort island have complied with the easement regulation.

He said establishment owners have until March 15 to comply with the directive.

During the inspection, Roxas was accompanied by Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores, Malay Mayor John Yap, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, and other local government and environment officials.

Roxas said it does not need an expert to detect the violation of environment laws, including the protection of forestland.