Palace: Duterte to consider concerns of small resort owners in Boracay

President Rodrigo Duterte will consider the situation of small businesses in Boracay in deciding on whether to heed the recommendation of three of his Cabinet secretaries to close the world-famous island for a year to allow its rehabilitation, Malacañang said on Friday.

Duterte's spokesperson Harry Roque, in an online interview, said the President acknowledged the possibility that small resort owners and businesses will be hit hard by the closure.

"Narinig ko rin ‘yan na magrerekomenda sila ng pagsasara sa Boracay. Pero sa akin, narinig ko rin iyong sinabi ni Presidente na importante ring isipin iyong kapakanan noong mga maliliit na mga nagnenegosyo diyan sa Boracay," Roque said.

"So tingin ko, sa pagkakakilala ko naman kay Presidente, he will be fair and above all else I think hindi siya gagalaw on the basis of political considerations, gagalaw siya dahil doon sa kaniyang tunay na concern na kinakailangang pangalagaan iyong kagandahan ng Boracay para mapakinabangan ng mga darating pang mga henerasyon," he said. 

In making the recommendation, the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, and Tourism underscored the need to give ample time to implement the measures aimed at restoring and eventually sustaining Boracay as a prime tourism destination.

The measures include upgrading the sewerage system, including sewer lines, installation of all the required solid waste management facilities and mechanisms, removal of illegal structures in forestlands and wetlands, easement areas and even geologically hazardous areas such as those with sink holes, road widening and construction, pipe laying and excavations, and rationalization of a transportation system.

The DENR had cracked down on commercial establishments in Boracay after Duterte accused businesses of turning the island into a cesspool.

Duterte earlier said he will shut down the resort island if its sewage problem would remain unresolved in six months.

He also threatened to slap sedition charges against those who would actively resist his plan to restore Boracay to its "pristine state." — RSJ, GMA News