Aklan mayor might face raps as DILG probes P1B Boracay environmental fees

Malay, Aklan Mayor Ceciron Cawaling said he is ready to face cases that might be filed against him as the Department of the Interior and Local Government is set to investigate the allocation of P1 billion environmental fees collected in 10 years from tourists who visited the famous tourist spot Boracay island.

The DILG claimed the environmental fees should be reserved for cleaning Boracay's shores.

The Aklan mayor is currently preparing the documents for the island's rehabilitation, according to a report on Unang Balita on Thursday.

"Kailangan maging handa ka sa lahat ng mga mangyayari. But of course, ayaw kong makasuhan ako dahil gusto kong malinis 'yung pangalan ko bago ako umalis sa politika," Cawaling said.

President Rodrigo Duterte approved the closure of the island for six months starting April 26 to give way for the rehabilitation.

Malacañang said tourists and flights will be banned in Boracay, and calamity funds will be used to help thousands of workers who will be affected by the island's closure. —Jamil Santos/KG, GMA News