Bold Star

I'm so glad her highness, the Governess of Cebu, has decided to take an active role in protecting the island of Malapascua. By castigating the "stakeholders" of the island and commanding them to shape up, and by threatening to conduct secret surveillance over their activities, maybe Malapascua has a chance of preserving its beauty and purity.

It's been maybe three years since my first (and only) visit to the island. We arrived at the pier on the mainland late in the evening, and foolishly cast about for boat owners. After waking up several fishermen, a couple of foolhardy men agreed to take us across the deceptively calm channel.

Ten minutes later, we were floundering in rough seas, with the horizon disappearing every now and then, and the boat engine coughing and threatening to conk out. After nearly an hour of holding tight and praying to all the possible gods, including Neptune and Ariel (the mermaid), we thankfully waded through thigh-high seaweed and mud, glad to be ashore. That was our unforgettable welcome to Malapascua.

Despite its rough greeting, we recovered pretty well the next day and made our acquaintance with the rustic isle and its inhabitants. The sand is white, even though not as fine as we like them, but the beach stretches a long way. The waters are clear, and the divers say the marine life is great. (I just have to take their word for it, since drowning is last on my list of favorite ways to die)

But (and here's the askance part), already, there were ugly concrete structures with no design values whatsoever marring the beach. Discarded water bottles, plastic wrappers, shampoo sachets - the usual detritus - already decorated the earthen pathways that crisscross the island. Of course, at night, there was a bar slash disco blaring music only appreciated in a dis-corral.

So, I was wondering - who are these supposed stakeholders? Where do they come from and what stakes do they have, exactly? Are we just dealing with the small community of businessmen and landowners intent on making profits at the expense of the island's natural wealth?

I think, if Cebu wants to protect Malapascua, it will have to be prepared to take really bold action. As in, bolder than any bold star, ever.

For one, I think the Governess should stick to what the environmental rules say about the salvage zone. You know what a salvage zone is? It's that stretch of the beach where no structures are allowed, because everybody's supposed to be free to frolic and play in it. And yet here we are, under a supposedly vigilant environmental watch, letting the salvage zone be decreased.

I see this as a concession, with absolutely no benefit except for those who were arrogant enough to build within the zone, without regard for the rules in place. And now, it seems like the arrogant are going to get what they've arrogated unto themselves - the rules are going to be bent for them!

Why are there exemptions from the rule? We should protect the zone - if there are structures there, then be prepared to bulldoze them all down. That's what bold action is.

Second, take care of the existing pollution. You want the island to remain pristine? Get rid of the party people. No discos. No bars. In fact, why not "no alcohol," even. (at last, I can finally see priests rallying around my cause). No smoking? Ooh, lovely thought.

Yes, you'll think, I'm such a killjoy. You won't be able to have fun while in Malapascua on your vacation. Well, here's my response. Have your fun where it's degraded already. Go to Boracay. Go to Mactan. Smoke a chimney there and drink to death. But meanwhile, this island stays protected.

Third, why not ban fishing. Give everybody else there substitute livelihoods. (Oh damn, stupid idea. What will people eat.) All right, allow fishing, but make sure to inspect each and every boat to ensure that dynamite's not used to capture fish. And still train everybody to have substitute livelihoods.

Natch, constant brain washing of respect for the environment is needed. Give everyone a lecture before they step on to the island. Force visitors to watch a video. Drum it into everyone's skulls. Tattoo it on foreheads.

Extreme? Well, look at what's happening to Bora.