The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council released a resolution recommending the declaration of state of calamity in Boracay Island covering the barangays Balabag, Manon-Manoc and Yapak under the Municipality of Malay, Aklan.
NDRRMC Resolution No. 01, s. 2018 , signed by NDRRMC Chairperson and National Defense Secretary Delfin N Lorenzana and the four (4) Vice Chairs of the National Council namely: DOST Secretary Fortunato T Dela Peña for Prevention and Mitigation, DILG Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Eduardo M Año for Preparedness, DSWD Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Emmanuel A Leyco for Response, and NEDA Secretary Ernesto M Pernia for Rehabilitation and Recovery, included the implementation of a temporary closure thereof as a tourist destination for purposes of rehabilitation.
The resolution states several findings based on the investigation and validation done by the DILG, DENR and DOST, which support the recommendation of the National Council.
Among the major findings on the condition of Boracay Island include beach erosion, disappearance of wetlands, high concentration of fecal coliform in Bolabog Beaches and pollution caused by improper waste management and encroachment of protected areas by illegal structures.
NDRRMC is recommending to the President the declaration of a State of Calamity in Boracay Island for a maximum period of one (1) year due to the actual enviromental disaster occuring in its barangays, and the temporary closure of the island as a tourist destination to protect the residents, workers, businesses and tourists to ensure public safety and public health, and to enable the Governemnt to deliver and protect a balanced and healthful ecology through expenditious rehabilitation of the area.
The signed resolution was forwarded to the Office of the President. Attached is a copy NDRRMC Resolution No. 01, s. 2018. #
