InterAksyon.com means BUSINESS
MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has ordered an inter-departmental study to determine the carrying capacities of the Philippines' top summer destinations, Baguio City and Boracay Island, in light of the reported “over-building” in these areas.
The study would be conducted by the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, of Justice, of Interior and Local Government, and of Tourism, according to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje.
Carrying capacity refers to how much load an area can take over a given period from factors such as population and infrastructure without adversely affecting the environment.
In addition to issues on water pollution, environmentalists have also raised concern about how the bat population in Boracay has dwindled because of disturbance to their habitats.
Paje said the President’s order was to ensure that the issues confronting Baguio and Boracay would not be repeated in other tourism sites across the country.
The DENR chief identified 78 such sites approved by the National Tourism Council, including Panglao Island in Bohol, Coron Island in Palawan, and the Puerto Princesa Underground River, which has enjoyed a dramatic increase in tourist arrivals since its proclamation as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
The DENR is seeking a halt to the sale of state-owned land in Baguio and Boracay.
“The government could only promote public welfare in land that it owns. Once sold to the private sector, we cannot dictate. We can only tell [the buyer] how to mitigate [the impact of development on the environment],” Paje said.
Citing the case of Camp John Hay in Baguio, Paje said the DENR can issue cease and desist orders on the cutting of more than 1,000 trees for construction purposes since the property is still owned by the government.
He said the same is true for Boracay, given a 2006 Supreme Court ruling that bolstered state ownership of the island through 2016.
“Until then, the government has the opportunity to correct and plan for a more sustainable development of the island. This is the same in Baguio, where the biggest land owner is still the government, so we can still mitigate and make decisions that will promote public welfare,” the DENR chief said.
Paje said the cadastral survey of Boracay is under way and will soon be completed, adding that the DENR has yet to issue an environmental compliance certificate for any building or establishment being constructed on the island “until such time Boracay has been planned properly.”
At present, a “25+5 rule” is in force in Boracay through an ordinance passed by the municipality of Malay, Aklan, which has political jurisdiction over the island.
Under the ordinance, structures are not allowed within 25 meters from the mean water mark determined between low and high tides, and within an additional five meters intended for tourist access within the beach area.
InterAksyon.com means BUSINESS
'The Philippines has arrived', executive says as Rolls Royce appoints distributor in Manila
Who has accounts in offshore tax havens? Investigative journos post database online
