Duterte declares state of calamity in Boracay

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday placed Boracay under a state of calamity on the first day of six-month rehabilitation process for the island that is reeling from environmental degradation and unchecked tourism.

Duterte issued Proclamation 475 approving the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for the declaration of state of calamity in the barangays of Balabag, Manoc-Manoc, and Yapak in the town of Malay, Aklan.

The President also put in writing his order for a temporary closure of the island to tourists from April 26 to October 25.

"The state of calamity in the island of Boracay shall remain in force and effect until lifted by the President, notwithstanding the lapse of the six-month closure period," the proclamation read.

The declaration will allow government to tap up to P2 billion to help the displaced workers on the island.

READ: President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamation declaring state of calamity in three barangays in Boracay and six-month closure of the holiday destination to tourists. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/7ObmLJxMKk

— Virgil Lopez (@virgillopez) April 26, 2018

Duterte has branded the island and its world-famous white-sand beach a "cesspool." He has ordered visitors be kept away from April 26 so facilities to treat raw sewage can be set up and illegal structures torn down.

The President has also said that no casino resort would be put up in the popular holiday destination and that he was placing it under land reform, citing a Supreme Court decision in October 2008 that declared Boracay, which it classified as forested and agricultural, as state owned.

On the eve of the shutdown, a group of Boracay workers petitioned the Supreme Court to stop its closure, arguing Duterte violated the tourists and non-residents' rights to travel and to due process.

It was learned that the SC took up the petition, which was raffled off to Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, during its special session on Thursday.

The Palace expressed confidence the SC will junk the petition given that the SC itself ruled in 2008 that Boracay is owned by the state. 

"While we respect the rights of individuals to sue and we respect the independence of the Judiciary, we are confident that this petition will not be given merit by the court," Secretary Harry Roque said.

"We do not see how individuals who cannot claim ownership over Boracay can suffer any irreparable injury that would warrant the issuance of a temporary restraining order or a permanent injunction. And that is why unless restrained, the closure of Boracay to all tourists will proceed as planned."

It was not immediately clear whether the SC has reached a decision on the petition's bid for a stay order. —NB, GMA News