Koko Pimentel supports Boracay temporary closure

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III expressed support Wednesday on the plan of Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año and Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo to temporarily close Boracay Island to tourists.

“It is only logical to close Boracay for renovations, so to speak. We must carefully assess the damage to the local environment and take the necessary steps for cleanup," Pimentel said in a press statement. 

"The process is more easily done and more effective if there are no tourists around,” he added.

Año and Teo, together with Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu were ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte to rehabilitate Boracay within six months.

Cimatu, however, said he is not yet ready to recommend to the President the temporary closure of the island resort.

“This is my dilemma, the order for me is to clear the sewerage system and, as of now, I cannot say that is resolved so I cannot make any recommendation now,” Cimatu told reporters after the hearing on the Boracay issue last week.

He added that if the establishments are closed, they cannot fully test if the repair made was a success.

“If it is closed, I cannot determine if successful o hindi ‘yung sewerage system. I can only make (recommendation) if the sewerage system is solved,” he said.

Other senators, led by Environment committee chairperson Cynthia Villar, also opposed the proposal.

But Pimentel said he understands the difficulties of closing the island for two months, but it is only temporary.

“It will be good in the long run for all stakeholders, including the tourists who are there for the natural beauty of the island,” he said.

The Senate President said closing tourist destinations to preserve them is nothing new citing the closure of Koh Tachai island in Thailand in May 2016 for similar reasons.

Duterte called Boracay a “cesspool” for the environmental issues that it faces due to the influx of tourists and businesses into the area. — RSJ, GMA News