Boracay water firm facing closure too, Año says

The government is looking to shut down the company supplying water to the island of Boracay throughout the recommended one-year closure, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) OIC Eduardo Año said on Friday.

Quoting Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Año revealed plans to  order the closure of Boracay Island Water Corp. (BIWC) so that it could fix problems in its sewerage and water treatment facilities.

"Plano din ni Secreatary Cimatu na ipasara yang Boracay Island Water Corporation... para maayos 'yung sewerage system at saka 'yung water treatment system niya. At dahil nag-fail ito, kailangan niyang palitan 'yan at ipaayos," Año said in an interview on "News to Go."

"Mawawalan ng tubig 'yung buong Boracay hanggang sa maayos 'yan. Papaano ka makakatanggap ng turista kahit sa mga (inaudible) kung wala kang water dito na maiinom (o) magagamit?" he added.

Año’s disclosure came a day after the DENR, DILG and the Department of Tourism announced their recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte for a "total closure" for a maximum of one year.

Without giving a date, Año reiterated that Boracay will be closed as a tourist destination after month-long "grace period" after President makes the declaration.

"Pagka-announce ng anting pangulo, merong mga one month na grace period (bago) i-close 'yan," he said.

In the interview, Año said concerned agencies have taken note of the closure's economic impact with regards to the island's tourist accomodation, airlines and other stakeholders.

He reiterated that tourists have the option to consider other tourist destinations in the country.

"Lahat tayo dito ay may sakripisyong gagawin. Ito 'yung mga sacrifice para ayusin ang Boracay," the DILG official said.

"Magkakaroong pagkakataong magpahinga 'yung kanilang empleyado," he also said.

The plan was earlier opposed by Senator Cynthia Villar who conducted an ocular inspection as part of a Senate investigation.

She had argued that only establishments which were non-compliant with environmental laws should be closed.

"OK lang isara 'yung mga hindi nagko-comply pero yung mga compliant bakit mo naman paparusahan. Parang gusto ko 'yung hindi compliant 'yun ang ipasara," she said.

The government's crackdown on establishments and stakeholders violating environmental laws was triggered in February when President Duterte threatened to close the tourist destination which he said has become a "cesspool."—Margaret Claire Layug/NB, GMA News