'Replicate Boracay cleanup in Cebu'

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City South District Rep. Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa wanted the rehabilitation of Boracay duplicated in Cebu.

Abellanosa, in a statement on Sunday, said that he hopes efforts to improve Boracay will be “replicated” in other tourism hubs such as in Oslob town and Mactan Island in Cebu, among others.

Abellanosa, chairperson of the House committee on natural resources, said it is important for tourism establishments to abide by environmental laws and sanitary requirements since tourism is one of the major sources of revenue of the country.

“It is ironic that our tourism establishments who directly benefit from this would be the ones to kill this opportunity with irresponsible practices such as disposal of untreated waste water directly into beach fronts,” he said.

To recall, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered to shut down Boracay effective April 26 saying the island had become a “cesspool.”

An executive order was drafted for the creation of inter-agency task force to rehabilitate the island for at least six months.

Now Boracay has regained its shine that has gone through the years allegedly because of irresponsible environmental practices.

“We are glad that the horrendous problems that led to the closure of Boracay has led to tremendous hopes and opportunities for the people. We praise the strong leadership of the President, and of course, the members of the task force, and local government leaders, who made all these things happen in a short span of time,” Abellanosa said.

Abellanosa Secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Sec. Virginia Orogo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat of the Department of Tourism (DOT) presented their accomplishments for Boracay.

These government agencies have committed to protect the resources of the island, regulate the coastal and marine reserve or restore the beach front species, regulation of fire dancing and sand caste making.

They have also vowed strict implementation of the easement laws on the beachfront and zero waste policy in the island, including the task force’s intention to limit the arrivals in the island.

The reopening of Boracay is expected within this month. (FREEMAN)