Early reopening of Boracay possible, says DENR exec

Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones on Friday said they intend to keep the rehabilitation program of Boracay to the six-month period without extension, adding the world-famous island may even be reopened before the maximum period.

"Just to emphasize, this six months is a maximum period. We can shorten the closure, depending on the progress of the rehabilitation efforts to be done in Boracay," Leones said in a press conference.

Leones said the closure, which will start on April 26, could be shortened once the major problems become manageable.

"We do not want to extend the suffering n'ung mga nand'un ng mga nasa Boracay na naapektuhan ng closure," Leones said.

Despite this hard deadline, Leones explained that several projects will continue after the closure, including the laying of sewage pipes.

Upgrading the sewer lines is just one of the five major problems that the DENR hopes to resolve during the rehabilitation period. The rest are the island's drainage system; the large amount of garbage generated by both residents and tourists; encroachment on easements, forestland, and wetlands; and the degradation of certain areas like Puka Beach and caves.

Sinkholes were also found on the island.

Orders to vacate have already been issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to hundreds of establishment, according to Leones.

The official also said they have started issuing notices of violations in other provinces like Oriental Mindoro.

The DENR found that the waters in Sabang have high coliform content and Leones said that local government units are cooperating enthusiastically so as to avoid facing possible closure similar to Boracay. —KBK, GMA News