5 presidential aspirants to push for Boracay tourism dev't but 4 oppose BIDA bill

While the five presidential candidates believe there is a need to further develop Boracay Island, four of them opposed the proposed creation of a government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC) to manage the prime tourism spot.

During the KBP Presidential Candidates Forum Friday, the aspirants were asked if they were in favor of the measure creating the Boracay Island Development Authority (BIDA).

Only Senator Panfilo Lacson said he will sign into law the proposed measure.

“Yes, I will (sign). Kasi ang importante, ito ‘yung isang essence ng tourism industry. Bigyan natin ng pagkakataon ‘yung talagang tourism area, magkaroon tayo ng tourism estate mentality kung saan makapag-attract at madevelop talaga ang tourism especially 'yung Boracay na kinikilala sa buong mundo. At dahil may pandemya puwede ring magshift sa domestic tourism kasi pinupuntahan din ng ating mga kababayan ang Boracay. So pipirmahan ko 'yung batas na tungkol sa Boracay,” he said.

(Yes, I will sign the bill. This is the essence of tourism industry. We should give them the chance to develop the tourism area and instill a tourism estate mentality so we could attract and develop the tourist sites, especially Boracay which is prominent around the world. And because of the pandemic, we could also shift to domestic tourism because our countrymen also flies to Boracay for leisure. So I will sign this bill on Boracay development.)

Vice President Leni Robredo said no to BIDA bill because the voice of the local government and the people should always be included in the endeavor as they will be the most affected.

“We need to fix it pero ‘wag natin aalisin ang boses ng LGU at ng mga maaapektuhan,” she said. 

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, for his part, expressed belief there are already enough laws that will address tourism issues, including its regulation.

"No, unang-una, hindi lang dapat boses ang kunin sa mga stakeholder, 'yung kita na 'yun dapat mapagyabong doon sa local government na 'yun. Marapat lamang na dapat nae-enjoy nila 'yung yamang-dagat, o turismo, o mineral sa kani-kanilang pamahalaan," he said.

(No, first and foremost, we should not only consider the voice of the stakeholders, the local government should benefit from the earnings and development in the area. They should be able to enjoy the marine resources, tourism, and minerals that they manage.)

”Sa akin, para hindi na tayo magdagdag ng gastusin sa gobyerno, huwag na tayong magdagdag ng bureau na mayroon naman nage-exist ngayon na sapat, epektibo, at mga lokal na pamahalaan na nakikinabang sa ekonomiya, trabaho, at hanapbuhay at negosyo sa lugar na 'yun," he added.

(For me, in order to avoid additional expenses in the government, we should not put additional offices when there are already existing ones that are effective and the local government that benefit from the economy, jobs, livelihood, and businesses in the area.)

Senator Manny Pacquiao said the Departments of Tourism (DOT) and Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are already in charge of the area.

“Unang-una, magtiwala po tayo sa kakayahan ng DOT natin. Nandyan din yung DENR para mag-supervise ng lahat ng ‘yan  Siguro po sapat na ‘yung DOT para po pangalagaan at protektahan, i-improve,  i-develop ang Boracay.  Pangalawa po, magkaroon ng consultation sa mga tao, konsulltahin natin ‘yung mga tao kung gusto nila o hindi,” he said.

(We should trust in the capability of DOT to do its job to protect, improve, and develop Boracay. DENR is already there to supervise. There should also be consultation with the people, consult them the people if they want it or not.)

“Kailangan pa ba ‘yun e nandyan na yung DOT natin na nakatutok na d’yan  Makipagtulungan lang po siguro sa local government ang ating DOT para po matutukan kung ano ang mga development o improvement ng isang lugar,” he added.

(Do we really need a BIDA bill when DOT is already there. Maybe the DOT should just work closely with the local government to focus on the developments or improvements needed in the area.)

Labor leader Leody de Guzman stressed the importance of tourism in the country, saying what is needed is to ensure the participation of the community in the development of Boracay.

“(Ipagpatuloy ang) pagpapaunlad ng ating sektor ng turismo dahil ‘yan ang isa sa potensyal natin, sa karakter ng ating bansa ay ‘yan ang ating potensyal sa pagbangon ng ating ekonomiya. Kailangan natin ‘yan,” he said.

(We should push for the development of our tourism sector because that is our potential, we needed it for our economy.)

“Ang kailangan lang natin, sisiguraduhin natin talaga ang participation ng ating komunidad ay mangyayari sa mga susunod para sa ganun maririnig ‘yung boses ng lahat ng mga sangkot  sa mga proyekto na aking gagawin,” he added.

(We should just make sure the participation of the community will happen in order to hear the voice of those involved in the project.)

Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was not able to join the forum due to conflict in schedule.—Llanesca Panti. Anna Felicia Bajo, Hana Bordey, Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA News